I don't own any of these characters or situations. They belong to someone else. Also this is done purely for fun, not profit. Any resemblance to persons living, dead, yet to be born, or visiting from other dimensions is purely coincidental. I'm doing this for fun.

Constructive criticism is always welcome.

I would like to thank Josh Temple and J St C Patrick for their pre-reading of my drafts. They suffered through untold pain and suffering to help bring this to light. The life of a pre-reader is truly fraught with peril.

I also would like to thank those on Fukufics: Light02, Sailor Sedai, Questara, Stratagemini, Adyen, Atlan, MGSaintz, migele, AscendedWarrior, deathgeonous, Cheb, ranger5, and MacShimi who gave me their thoughts and comments. A special thanks to nuclear death frog who pointed out some problems with some of the names I used and offered alternatives.

If I missed anyone or misspelled their names, I apologize.

Boldly going where others had gone before, and meekly going where few have been.

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Please read: To better understand Ranma’s mindset in this story it is important to understand “when” Ranma's came from. The manga made it's appearance in the mid-eighties (1986) and I am having the events of the manga take place in a timeframe of about a year - maybe a little more.

This means that Ranma disappeared in the mid-to-late eighties.

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Out of Time

Chapter 1

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Ranma sat on the edge of the hospital bed and stared at the face of the woman next to her - a face that was familiar, yet alien.

"Twenty-?" Ranma started to say while wearing a stunned expression. Silence fell between the two as Ranma's face betrayed the inner turmoil that was playing in her head. This was replaced by confusion and loss before a light of determination lit in her eyes. "No," she then said firmly. "No way. It can't be."

"Ranma, please," Kasumi pleaded in a firm, but gently manner. "We all thought you were either dead or-"

"No," Ranma said with renewed determination. Shooting to her feet, she broke from Kasumi's embrace. "It's a lie."

"Ranma, I would never lie to you," Kasumi said firmly.

Looking down of the still seated woman, Ranma hesitated in thought. "It is Kasumi... but it can't be twenty years, it can't be!" Her mind demanded. Her eyes then narrowed. "I bet Shampoo is up to her old tricks again even though the old ghoul told her not to... or maybe something Akane made for dinner last night and it's giving me nightmares or something."

"No," Ranma said loudly as she stood over Kasumi. "It can't be, it's a lie. I've been drugged, or this is a bad dream or something." Panic was progressively growing in her voice. "It's not true. You can't be Kasumi. You're someone - something - else."

Kasumi was on her feet in an instant. "Ranma, I am Kasumi," she said insistently. "I remember when you first showed up at the dojo, a redheaded girl slung over the shoulder of his father who was a panda at the time. I remember when Cologne gave you the Cat's Tongue, locking you in your girl form. I had to help you through your first period and explain to you that you were not going to die from it."

Silence fell between the two as each studied the other.

"I asked you to keep that secret," Ranma softly said, forgetting her situation momentarily.

"I did," Kasumi said firmly. "I never told anyone. No one else knew about that except you and I."

Ranma stared up an the older women and studied her features closer. It was undeniable... but still...

"No," Ranma repeated as she shook her head as denial took hold again. She backed away from Kasumi. "It can't be."

In a flash, Ranma turned on her heel and made a dash for the door.

"Ranma!" Kasumi said, taking after the redhead, but it was too late. Ranma had wrenched the door to her room open and stepped into the hallway. There, she was greeted by a knot of people - all vaguely familiar.

There are certain moments in people's lives when time seems to slow down. Ranma had experienced those moments many times before, especially in the middle of a fight. For her, those were magical moments when opponents would seem to slow down in their movements, her thinking became more focused and sharper, and even nature was affected as the wind would stop and rain would appear to hang in mid-air.

Ranma was having one of those moments as she stared at the group of familiar strangers...

... and they stared back at her.

There were two people that she recognized as her parents, but she was unsure or at lease tried to convince herself that she was unsure. There was a man that looked vaguely like Soun and a woman next to him that kinda looked like Nabiki... at least that's what Ranma thought, but didn't want to accept. Standing next to her was...

Ranma's eyes for some reason were drawn to that person in particular. She was a whole head taller than Ranma's female form and had shoulder length, dark blue hair with hints of grey at the temples. She was dressed in a yellow sundress with a short sleeved, white button-up shirt underneath. The look of surprise mixed with horror that the woman wore upon seeing the redhead drew Ranma's attention to her face. The eyes were set in the heart-shaped face and framed in dark-rimed glasses, but those eyes were the most recognizable part of the woman.

Upon recognizing who the woman was, the moment passed and time resumed it's normal speed."

"A-Akane?" Ranma stammered out.

"Ranma," the woman whispered in a hoarse, stunned voice.

The moment of clarity was replaced by a surreal, dizzying one. Ranma felt her world tilt slightly and she grasped out at the door frame in an attempt to keep herself upright. A wave of disjointed nausea washed over her, leaving Ranma even more off balanced - emotionally as well as physically. Ranma began to feel sick all over as reality hit her like a punch from Ryoga.

"It's true...," was all Ranma managed to say before the sinking feeling at the pit of her stomach erupted into full-blown nausea, sending her to her knees as the overpowering urge to vomit suddenly coursed through her. The best she could manage, however, were some painful dry heaves. Kasumi came up from behind and held her steady, keeping Ranma from landing face first on the tiled floor.

"Ranma! Ranma!" Kasumi called out in concern as she held the redhead trying to regain control of the situation. Kasumi knew that this wasn't going to be easy, but didn't imagine this.

"I know this hurts you, Ranma," Kasumi thought. "But this is the best way for you." Kasumi knew it would hurt Ranma, but Ranma was always a direct person and beating around the bush would do nothing but frustrate her and make it that much harder later.

Ranma wasn't hearing Kasumi's words as her stomach tried to revolt. The maddening thing was nothing was coming up. "Oh god," Ranma manage to say between dry heaves. "Oh god," she repeated - over and over again.

As Kasumi cradled Ranma in her arms, she looked up at the small group of people with pleading eyes. Each person was wearing the same expression of horror on their faces. It was one thing to know someone hadn't changed in twenty-two years, but another to see it first hand.

At the unasked request, the hall cleared out with the exception of Tofu, and with his help Kasumi managed to get Ranma onto her feet and back into her room. As the two older people helped the younger one back to the edge of the hospital bed, Kasumi was chastising herself for not finding a better way of handling it. But after twenty-two years, Kasumi realized that she had accepted the fact that Ranma had disappeared, forgetting that it only had been days for the boy-turned-girl. "I should have taken it more slowly," she thought. "I was stupid to rush it like I did. Oh Ranma, forgive me."

"Ranma please calm down," Kasumi said, trying to get Ranma to stop dry heaving. Tofu was in the water-closet and came back with a glass of water and tried to hand it off to Ranma, who waved it away.

After great effort, Ranma managed to control her stomach and raise herself from her doubled over position to sit somewhat upright. With help and support from Kasumi on one side and Tofu in front, Ranma managed to sit without much support. It was a much paler and wide eyed Ranma who was now facing Kasumi. Ranma's breathing alternated between regular and hyperventilating. It was apparent to Kasumi and Tofu was how frightened and panicky Ranma was starting to get.

"I got to do something to calm him down," Kasumi thought as she recalled how powerful Ranma was. "If he goes off half-cocked he could hurt innocent people without meaning to."

"Ranma, please try to stay calm," Kasumi said soothingly. "It'll be all-"

"Calm? Calm?!" Ranma interrupted loudly after she rediscovered her voice. "How can you expect me to calm down when... when... when... this has happened? Calm hell! I'm gonna hunt down Goz and put him into the ground and see if he likes it. I'm gonna-"

"Ranma please!" Kasumi implored. "You can't kill Gosunkugi because he is already dead."

This had the same effect on Ranma as a slap to the face. Arresting in mid-rant, a bit more color drained from her face. All was quiet for a long moment.

"Dead?" Ranma finally asked in a thin voice. "H-how?"

Kasumi sighed. It was a terrible affair when it happened and revisiting it was unpleasant, but Ranma needed to know. "Ranma, Gosunkugi... he... he..." Kasumi trailed off with a lost look.

"Gosunkugi killed himself about fifteen-sixteen years ago," Doctor Tofu answered for Kasumi in an even, professional voice.

He offered the glass of water again to Ranma and this time she accepted with shaky hands and managed to drink greedily. A uncomfortable silence dragged out between the three as Ranma finished drinking and mentally tried to catch her breath. The water seemed to help her calm down enough to focus on the matter at hand. Passing the glass to Kasumi who handed it off to Tofu, Ranma swallowed once more and looked at the pair. She shifted in her place on the edge of the bed and looked as if she were trying to grasp something.

"Killed himself," Ranma echoed in a whisper, breaking the silence.

"Yes," Tofu said with a nod for added emphasis. "He joined some cult... a doomsday cult I think they called it - anyway, he committed suicide with about sixty other people."

Ranma stared between Tofu and Kasumi with wide eyes for a few heartbeats before her eye lids drooped. She still felt sick in the pit of her stomach, but the emotional roller-coaster that she had been on was starting to take its toll.

"I can't even get any vengeance... not on a dead man," Ranma thought, feeling somewhat empty. It was too much to take and she now felt completely emotionally drained.

Ranma was quiet for a moment, a long moment, before she felt well enough and calm enough to dare ask the one question foremost on her mind. She knew she wasn't going to like any answers from here on out, but...

"Akane? Is she...?"

Kasumi resigned herself to continue being direct. "She's fine Ranma, everyone is fine," Kasumi answered, but she knew what Ranma was really asking. "But understand, it's been over twenty years and...," Kasumi's voice trailed off as she studied the face of the stricken girl.

Ranma drew a deep breath. "Is... is she... seeing... someone?"

Kasumi closed her eyes. She didn't want to answer the question, but there was no denying the truth. "She's married Ranma - and has been - for the last eighteen years."

"I... see...," Ranma said mechanically and without emotion. Kasumi's worry increased as she notice the spark of life seemed to have left Ranma's eyes as her whole body seemed to sag, as if Ranma was trying to will herself out of existence. Ranma's head then fell forward, her eyes and face disappearing behind a curtain of red hair.

All was quiet between the three. It was a silence that reminded Kasumi of being at a funeral.

"Who...?" Ranma asked in a small, thin voice.

Kasumi sighed. "No one you would know Ranma," she said with a shake of her head. "She met him in college."

Ranma's already small frame seemed to withdraw even more with Kasumi's answer. Ranma began to shake. Kasumi stared at the top of Ranma's bowed head and looked to Tofu for guidance with a lost look. It was heartbreaking to watch Ranma fighting to keep her emotions in check.

"Ranma," Kasum began softly, only to stop when she saw that the shaking had ceased. She felt as if Ranma had made some type of decision.

"Please guys," Ranma said in a smaller voice as she rolled onto the bed and turned away from the older people. "I need to be alone for awhile."

---------

As Kasumi and Dr. Tofu helped Ranma back into her room, the group moved to a nearby portion of the hallway where it ‘teed’ with another. This hallway was an outer one and was lined with windows, streaming the light from the outside and giving a nice view of an inner courtyard with its tended garden. Underneath the windows were rows of modern-looking couches.

Breaking into three groups. Kasumi and Akane's husbands and Nabiki in one, Genma and Soun in another, and Akane and Nodoka by themselves. Both women moved off stopped in front of a window and stared out it without really seeing anything beyond it.

"It really is Ranma," muttered the youngest of the two.

All was quiet at that soft statement.

"How are you holding up, dear?" Nodoka asked.

Akane looked over to Nodoka and forced a smile. "I'm the one that should be asking you that question."

Returning the smile, Nodoka waited for Akane to answer her question.

Shoulders sagging, Akane adjusted her glasses. "I don't know how to feel, Aunty," she admitted while looking down. "On one hand, someone I cared about a great deal is back... and on the other hand..." she looked up into Nodoka's eyes, "I'm well over him Aunty. I love my husband - my children. But this is like opening up and picking at old wounds again."

Nodoka remained silent and allowed the younger woman to gather her thoughts.

"This is like... it's like we should have looked harder, we should have-"

"We did everything that was possible at the time," Nodoka said, interrupting Akane. "We can't blame ourselves."

"But we can't blame Ranma either," Akane pointed out somewhat defensively.

"I would never-"

"Not you," Akane interrupted, "but there are some, " she looked over to where Soun and Genma were talking, "that will try to."

"I see what you are getting at," Nodoka agreed. "I'll will strive to make it clear to my husband that it was this Gosunkugi person that was responsible. It is too bad that he is well beyond our justice."

"I never thought that little twerp could do something like this," Akane said bitterly. "He always tried to pull stupid stunts, but he'd always failed miserably."

"All it takes is one time to succeed," Nodoka pointed out.

Both women considered that.

"Aunty, what should we do?" Asked Akane, looking lost. "I mean... what should we do?"

"I don't know Akane, I really don't know," Nodoka answered in a cracked voice. "I had always held out hope that my Ranma would return to me, but I never expected to be under these conditions."

Akane studied the emotions playing across the Saotome matriarchs face. "We have to do something to help him - I mean, he'll be so out of place. I mean, everything he knows is gone - even us. He is going to need as much help as we can give him - but I'm not sure if everyone will be supportive." The last said while glancing once again to where Soun and Genma were.

Nodoka nodded in agreement and began to look as lost as Akane.

"Aunty, what's wrong?"

Turning to face Akane more, tears started to form out of the corners of Nodoka's eyes. "Akane, during the last twenty years I prayed and promised to any god that listened that if Ranma ever came back into my life I would accept him no matter what."

"Aunty, I know."

"Even if Ranma came back as a woman and married to a man, I would still accept him," Nodoka continued as she wiped her eyes. "I know that may surprise you, but after not seeing my only child for the majority of my life..." her voice trailed off as emotion choked off her words.

Akane moved and embraced the older woman. "It's okay Aunty."

"He's alive" Nodoka weeped into Akane's shoulder. "Gods be praised he's alive."

The two remained in embrace for several, long moments as Nodoka softly cried on the younger's shoulder. After the storm of emotions had calmed somewhat, the two broke apart slightly, but with arms still around one another.

"I promised myself," Nodoka began only to pause to wipe another stray tear out one of her eyes. "I promised that if I had another chance to be a part of Ranma's life I would not waste it, but... but I never expected that he'd come back unchanged and still a teenager."

Akane studied the older woman still in her arms. "You're not sure what to do?"

"I know what I must do - what I have to do," Nodoka said with determination leaking into her voice. "I have another chance to be the mother that he deserved... even thought I had prepared myself for everything and anything for my son's eventually returned. I dreamed of many different possibilities - but not this."

"So - be the mother you always wanted to be with him," Akane suggested. "Be the mother to him - like the mother you became to me." Nodoka looked at Akane with hope in her eyes. "You always told me that you wished for a second chance to be a mother to Ranma," Akane continued. "This is your chance. Take it."

A grin crept along Nodoka's mouth before blooming into a full-blown smile. "Thank you Akane - I will, she said while re-embracing Akane. "I had already decided that was what I have to do, but it's nice to know that you feel that way too."

Another moment of silence fell between the two.

"What can I do to help?" Akane asked. "Before he disappeared, we were... close. I want to be there to help him, but I'm afraid that just being around might hurt him."

Staring at each other, Nodoka reluctantly nodded. "I understand. You may be over Ranma, but Ranma... he might... won't be over you."

Silence fell once again.

"Let's ask Kanryu and Tofu when he gets back," Akane suggested. "They might have some ideas."

As if on cue, Dr. Tofu and Kasmui rounded the corner and rejoined the group.

"How did he take it?" Nodoka asked as Kasumi and Tofu walked up as the scattered group came back together.

She shook her head. "Not good," Kasumi answered. "Ranma's... I don't think he knows how to deal with this."

"Would you?" Akane asked somewhat sharply - more than she really intended.

Kasumi shook her head slowly as her husband moved up beside her.

"You did tell him that the lock on his curse was temporary, didn't you?" Genma asked.

It was Tofu's turn to shake his head. "It didn't come up. All he asked about was Akane."

Silence filled the hall.

"W-what did you tell him?" Akane asked while nervously adjusting her glasses. Her husband stood behind her, watching.

"The truth, Akane," Kasumi said sadly. "There was no other way."

A heavier silence revisited the group.

"What do we do now?" Soun Tendo asked plainly.

Kasumi sighed. "Ranma is going to need a lot of support, patience and most importantly: time," she answered matter of factly. "Though he has been told of the situation, the full reality won't set in for days, maybe weeks. And it will take months for Ranma to truly accept what's happened - longer to adjust."

Soun nodded sagely along with Genma, who leaned on his cane heavier.

---------

In the other room, a small redheaded girl was laying across the bed, her emotions in turmoil. Different thoughts and emotions were clashing. The struggle not to not give in to the fear of uncertainty and panic was drawn out as well as the other conflicting thoughts and feelings.

"This can't be true," Ranma thought. "this has to be a lie."

"... twenty-two years..."

"It can't be!" Ranma's mind demanded. "No one can sleep twenty-two years!"

"... Akane's married..."

"No! Not when things were finally working out for us!"

"... married for eighteen years..."

"She can't be! We're only seventeen!"

"Kasumi looked so old..."

Ranma's heart seemed to stop for an instant as reality tried to crash in on her once again. "No. it can't be!" Her mind demanded. "I has to be a trick or something!"

Sitting upright, Ranma's eyes widened. "That's it! It is some kind of a trick." She announced to no one. "That knife must sorta be like that fishing rod, making me think that I'm in the future."

Getting out of the bed, she made her way over to the door and reached for the doorknob - and hesitated. "Everything seems so real..." She gripped the doorknob, thought over her doubts for a brief instant before dismissing them. "That doesn't mean anything... when I was under the influence of the fishing rod, I thought I was in love with Ryoga. I thought that feeling was real... so why not this?"

Cracking the door open a bit, the sounds of a discussion filtered into the room. Leaning closer, Ranma strained to hear what was being said, but it was being drowned out by the sound of her heartbeat in her ears.

"Dammit," she swore lowly to herself. "I gotta get a hold of myself."

Easing the door open, she poked her head through and looked around. On the very far end was a nurses' station with two nurses, one seated and one standing, talking. They were too far away for her to hear what was being said. Looking the other way she saw that the hallway tee-boned with another. Around one of the corners was where the voices were coming from.

Slipping into the hallway, which was surprisingly barren of people, she slowly crept against the wall. Ranma made her way carefully in the direction of the voices and ignored her bladder's demands for a restroom. With every step the voices were getting clearer and more recognizable.

The hallway was lined with medical equipment, rolling partitions, and chairs that Ranma had to navigate around. The smell of antiseptic and bleach lingered in the air and invaded her nostrils, making Ranma snort a bit. She ignored the breezy feeling that she had from the hospital gown that she still wore. Nearing a corner, the voices became clearer and she stopped and, hidden by the corner, listened.

------------

"If I hadn't seen Mr. Saotome change, I wouldn't believe any of this," a tall, thin, middle-aged man commented. "Imagine, being asleep for over twenty years."

Akane sighed at her husbands wonderment. "Shinji," she said, "this is not going to be as easy as watching Uncle Saotome change into a panda to amuse the kids; this is going to be far more difficult."

"I don't understand," Shinji said, looking down at his wife. "From the stories that you and everybody had told me, this is almost normal for what's-his-name."

Akane sighed again. She did loved her husband, but he could be so dense at times. "It's different this time. Ranma can't go and fix everything like he usually did. How would you like it if you disappeared for a few days, come back to find that twenty years had passed and find that I've moved on and remarried?"

Wearing a mask of concentration, Shinji eventually nodded in understanding. "I see..."

Dr. Tofu nodded as Kasumi's husband, Dr. Hiyowai, spoke up. "Furthermore, putting any sort of pressure on Ranma now may be dangerous to his mental heath. Right now he is under tremendous amounts of stress - stress that none of us can really understand and we don't need to add to it."

Soun and Genma looked at one another and nodded. "Quite right," Soun said thoughtfully as he turned to his friend. "Genma? Do you have a moment?"

"Sure, old friend," Genma replied as he hobbled after Soun, out of ear-shot of the others.

"I wonder what those two are up two?" Nabiki asked of no one.

"They had better behave themselves," Nodoka said with a hard edge and a mixture of tiredness. "This isn't the time for any of their foolishness."

"Unfortunately, foolishness is what those two seem to do best," Nabiki commented.

The group watched the two men speak in hushed tones, occasionally a nod would be shared between the two and a few times they glanced in the direction of the rest of the group before nervously continuing to converse. Dr. Tofu shifted from one foot to the other while watching and waiting. Seeing that whatever conversation the two were having wasn't going to be over anytime soon, he cleared his throat to get the attention of the others nearby.

"Yup, they're up to no good," Akane said, interrupting whatever Tofu was about to say. "Well, we'll deal with them later." She blinked a few times. "Oh, I'm sorry Dr. Tofu. What were you about to say?"

"It's all right Akane, I understand. Those two do have a habit," Dr. Tofu said. "Now, back to the matter at hand. The hospital has released Ranma and we can take him home now. Did anyone think to bring a change of clothing for him?"

Everyone looked at one another.

"Oh dear," Nodoka said.

"It's okay, he'll have to use whatever the hospital provides," Dr. Tofu said tiredly. "The next thing is how are we going to handle him?"

"What do you mean?" Akane asked as she leaned back against her husband's chest.

"This is not going to be easy for him," Dr. Hiyowai reiterated. "Especially dealing with the fact that he has been... left behind."

"What do you mean left behind? We all looked all over for him!" Nabiki objected. "Ryoga even continued to search years after everyone gave up! Why should he-"

Kasumi silenced Nabiki with an upturned hand. "That's not what my husband meant," she said with a slight hardness. "He meant look at us now. We are grown up, been to college, married, had children... we have moved on. To Ranma, it has only been a few days. His thinking will still be what it was twenty-two years ago. He will have problems accepting not just the changes in us, but in everything around him."

"Right," Dr. Tofu added, "and if I recall correctly, Ranma ordinarily had difficulties dealing with people back then - even people his own age. Ranma will have less in common with people his physical age now more than before."

Two shifty-eyed, but happy, aging martial artists made their way back the group. Genma sported a slight grin while Soun wore a more sagely look. Their demeanor went unnoticed during the current crisis.

Unseen behind the corner, a redheaded, pigtailed girl stood poleaxed.

"This can't be a dream," she thought. "There is no way I could dream this up - but this can't be real. This can't be!"

A nurse chose that time to come up behind Ranma. She paused an looked down at the smaller girl. "Are you all right?" She asked in professional concern.

Ranma spun in surprise and looked wide-eyed at the nurse, her mind freezing up at the question. "Ahh... what?"

"You're that girl that was caught in the landslide, weren't you?" the taller, dark-hair nurse asked. "Come on, let's get you back to your room," she offered with a smile, while gently taking Ranma by the arm. "Did your family bring you a change of clothes?"

"W-what?" Ranma repeated.

The nurse sighed. "I'll go through what we have that might fit you. We won't have any bras, but I think we have some fairly nice dresses that were donated."

"Right..." Ranma responded mindlessly, not really paying attention to what was said. She let the nurse lead her back into her room.

"Now you wait here and I'll be right back," the nurse said cheerfully. "I'm sure you're anxious to get out of here."

The nurse gave a wave and left Ranma alone in her room. Ranma was now more uncertain than ever. But she was sure, no matter how much she wanted it to be, this was no bad dream.

It was a nightmare.

--------

"So what do we do to help my child?" Nodoka asked.

Dr. Tofu looked down at the patterned tiled floor of a brief moment before speaking. "What we need to do is pretty much what Kasumi has already said: Give him time and space. This is not going to be easy for him and we have got to be supportive," Tofu said the last with added emphases.

"There is also the fact that Ranma is - for all intents and purposes - in an alien world," Dr. Hiyowai point out. "He may need help beyond what we can give."

"What do you mean?" Asked Nodoka.

"What I'm saying,Mrs. Saotome, is that it would probably be good idea to get Ranma in for some - professional counseling."

That statement caused a pause in everyone's thoughts.

"Professional counseling?" Akane echoed worriedly. "You think Ranma is insane? Or will go insane?"

"No. Well - if he is stressed enough," Dr. Hiyowai replied cautiously with a wave of his hand. "It is just that Ranma is going to have a difficult time adjusting. Having Ranma meet with someone in the field of psychology might be beneficial."

Nodoka was strangely quiet during the exchange, as if she were contemplating. something. Her only response was a slight nod.

"My son can handle anything," boasted Genma. "I didn't spend years honing him into the martial artist he is just so some idiot doctor can mess with his head and make him hate his parents."

Doctors Tofu and Hiyowai blink-blinked at the slightly irate man. "Where did that come from?" Inquired Dr. Hiyowai.

"I know how those idiot head doctors work, that's all," Genma said firmly. "They take things that are unimportant and twist them around. I won't have Ranma's head being messed with in any such manner."

"Dear," Nodoka said in a tone laced with steel, "if Dr. Hiyowai and Tofu think that it is a good idea, then that is what we will do. We will do everything and use anything in our power to help Ranma. Understand?"

Nodoka and Genma engaged in a staring contest for a few minutes. Genma trying to stare down Nodoka with a hard look of stone. Nodoka returned it with a harder look of her own that would have sent any sane man running. The tension in the hallway grew, finally to be broken by Genma snorting. "All right," he said. "If you are so desperate to have Ranma blame us for everything that has happened to him, you go right ahead."

On that he turned in a huff and hobbled down to one end of the hallway to a window and stared out of it. Soun looked back between his friend and Nodoka a few times before joining Genma by the window.

"You have to forgive my husband," Nodoka said apologetically to Drs. Tofu and Hiyowai. "When he was... paying his debt to society, he had to attend therapy. Some issues about his parents were raised and he hasn't trusted counselors since."

Dr. Tofu smiled reassuredly. "That's quite all right, I suspected as much even as far back as when he used to work for me."

"Don't worry Mrs. Saotome," Dr. Hiyowai said. "We're used to how Mr. Saotome is."

A prolonged silence followed.

"I'm going to see my son," Nodoka announced as she shot a glare at the end of the hall where the two men were still standing, looking out at the window.

"Mrs. Saotome-" Kasumi began.

"Don't worry dear," Nodoka said quietly. "It'll be fine."

After Nodoka had left to be with Ranma, Dr. Hiyowai turned to Akane and her husband. "Akane, Shinji, I think it would be a good idea if you went ahead and purchased the tickets home," he suggested.

"But why?" Asked Akane. "I want to stay and help Aunty with Ranma."

"We talked about that sis," Nabiki said dryly. "It will only hurt him now."

"What? How can you say that? Aunty and I talked about it and we thought-"

"I know that you and Mrs. Saotome want to help, but believe me, Ranma seeing you now will hurt him more than help him," Dr. Tofu said matter of factly. "You can see him when we get to the station."

"A-are you sure? I don't want to leave Aunty after we-"

"Honey," the tall, balding man said softly, "if the doctors feel it's for the best, I feel we must go along with it. I'm sure that Ono and Kanryu will explain everything to Nodoka at when they get the chance."

Looking uncertain between her sisters, the doctors, and her husband, Akane finally relented with a curt nod.

"Okay, she said. "But you had better explain it to Mrs. Saotome. I don't want her thinking I've abandoned her."

"I'll explain everything - I promise," Dr. Tofu said. "But right now you better get going."

Akane nodded and with her husband by her side, headed for the elevators.

---------

After what seemed an indeterminate amount of time, a gentle knock came at Ranma's door. The redhead ignored the knock and continued to gaze upon a patch of sky that shone through the window from her vantage point on the bed. After a few moments of silence the knock came again and Ranma once again ignored it. Ranma heard the door open, but did not roll over to greet her visitor.

"Son? Can I come in?" came a tentative voice from the doorway.

The word "son" caught Ranma's attention as did the female voice that said it. She quickly collected herself and wiped the few remaining tears that clung to her face as she rolled over. Not that she really cared if anyone knew if she was crying or not. "Yeah, sure," she answered dryly.

A tall woman with shoulder length reddish-gray hair entered Ranma's hospital room. "Son?" the woman said. "It's me, your mother."

Ranma stared at the much older woman and was able to put two and two together easier. Unlike Kasumi, who had changed radically, Ranma's mother had aged well. She a little shorter than he remembered and her hair color had changed, but the face was still the same in spite of a few more wrinkles.

"M-mom? It is you," Ranma stated faintly, sounding like the lost child that she was at the moment.

Nodoka smiled. It brought out a few more wrinkles, but not too many. "Yes dear," she said. "It's me."

"It's true, isn't it?" Ranma asked weakly.

Nodoka sighed, paused, then nodded. "Yes son, I'm afraid it is."

"W-why?"

Nodoka looked upon Ranma with confusion in her eyes. "Why what, son?"

"Why me? Why does this crap have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this?" Ranma asked sounding more lost as she went along. "What god did I piss off to deserve this?"

Nodoka didn't have any answers for her child. All she could do was embrace and comfort. She was surprisingly good at it considering how little practice she had with her own child. Rocking Ranma gently into her arms, Nodoka whispered what words of comfort she could. It took awhile, but Ranma calmed back down.

"Sorry," Ranma said as she straightened. "I didn't mean to... cry... I shouldn't... I know it's not manly... it's just that..."

Nodoka re-embraced her child, slightly tighter this time and shushed her. "It's all right," she cooed into Ranma's ear. "It'll be all right. You just let it out and don't be afraid. Don't ever be afraid. I'm here for you."

Ranma buried her face into her mother's shoulder in renewed grief over what she had lost.

---------------

It took some time for Ranma to regain control of herself. Being used to dealing with physical threats had left the boy-turned-girl unprepared to deal with anything so emotional. Having the world pulled out from underneath her left Ranma in a fragile state. All Nodoka could do was hold on to the shaking redhead until she came back to herself. After what seemed like an hour, Ranma broke her mother's hold gently and sat tightly on the edge of the bed next to her.

"Sorry about that," Ranma said lamely.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Nodoka said as she scooted over and wrapped an arm around the smaller girl. "You've been through a lot. Anyone else would not have handled it as well as you have."

"It's not fair," Ranma said, barely controlling herself. She was determined not to break down again.

"I know, I know," Nodoka whispered softly as she leaned Ranma into her.

"Glad pops isn't here. He'd probably read me the riot act for acting like a girl," Ranma lowly said.

"Your father is... has issues, but he is behaving himself," Nodoka said carefully, before mentally adding, "for the moment." "You shouldn't worry about him. Right now we have to get you checked out so you can go home."

Blink-blinking, Ranma gave her mother a look of confusion. "Home?"

"Yes dear."

Looking down on herself, Ranma asked, "You have any of my clothes with you? Or my pack?"

Shaking her head, Nodoka replied, "I'm sorry son, you'll have to make do with whatever the hospital has at hand."

Taking a side-long glance at the donated clothes that the nurse had brought in earlier. They were neatly folded on the side table as Ranma reexamined them. "But mom," Ranma pointed out with a shake of her head. "They're girls' clothes."

"It's all right," Nodoka cooed as she brought her child in for another hug. "It may not be what you want, but they'll do for now."

The thought of girls' clothing slipped Ranma's mind as she basked in the embrace. With all that had happened to her in a relatively short time, she found herself drawing strength of her mother.

"Oh Ranma, I missed you so much," Nodoka said in a voice that cracked with emotion. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't the mother you needed or deserved."

Looking up, blinking at her mother, Ranma managed a small smile. "It's okay," she said thinly. "You did the best you could-"

"No I didn't," Nodoka interrupted in a gentle voice. "But I promise you this: I will be the mother you should have had."

"Mom..."

Nodoka hugged the smaller girl again, silencing her. The two remained that way for a few moments.

"Let's get you dressed," Nodoka soon said, somewhat cheerfully. "It's time we get you out of here."

"Right. Home," Ranma said in wonderment. Then she blinked. "You mean the Tendos?"

"No dear, our home," Nodoka answered.

Ranma stared at her mother with a slightly lost look before nodding slowly. "Home," she echoed.

"Yes. Home. Unless you like staying here."

Shaking her head, Ranma rose unsteadily on her feet. She wobbled a bit as her emotions wore themselves out. Nodoka steadied her with a helping hand.

"Are you up to traveling Ranma?" Nodoka asked worriedly.

Ranma nodded jerkily. "Yeah, I still get a little dizzy every now and then. I guess being buried for twenty-two years will do that to you." Cocking her head in contemplation, "Wait a minute," she said, "what about my curse?"

Smiling, Nodoka helped Ranma to her feet. "That's not important now," she said. "Dr. Tofu said that the effects of the knife should wear off in two or three weeks. He isn't sure and won't be until he examines you personally - he's judging that from what little he knows about the knife."

Arresting herself, Ranma looked at her mother. "Two or three weeks? You mean that I have to be a girl for-"

"Ranma it's really not that important," Nodoka gently, but firmly insistent. "Not as important as having you back. Don't you agree?"

Ranma stared at her mother and felt the happiness that seemed to radiate from her. "She's happy," Ranma thought. "She's happy that I'm back."

With her mother's help, Ranma was quickly dressed in a light green dress which was a little too large around the waist and a bit tight in the chest. For Ranma, it brought back a semi-funny moment when she wore a certain tomboy's overalls that had the same problem. The small smile that the memory earned was replaced by an equally small frown when Ranma realized that the moment was further away in the past then she thought. Thankfully there was no bra, but Ranma had to wear the hospital panties that were provided.

Running her fingers through Ranma's hair, Nodoka studied her child with a smile. "Ready to go?"

Nodding, Ranma followed her mother out the door, to pause at the doorway. Ranma felt as if she were leaving something behind. It was nothing tangible, but it was as if she were leaving a part of herself behind. Shaking off the feeling, Ranma followed her mother down the hall.

Rounding the corner, Ranma was greeted by the familiar strangers that she had a glimpse of when she barged out of her room earlier. The stocky man, with cane in hand, stood next to a taller man and smile at her.

"You're looking good, boy," Genma said as he leaned heavily on his cane.

"Hi'ya... pops..." Ranma drawled out as she examined the man who was her father.

"He's looking pretty good, isn't he Tendo?" Genma said to the taller man next to him.

"Indeed," Soun replied sagely. "Everything will be put right once the lock on his curse wears off."

Ranma blinked as Nodoka raised a eyebrow dangerously at the men. Before anything interesting come become of it, a long haired woman stepped up and looked at Ranma up and down. For some reason this simple gesture seemed more threatening than the subtle hints of the two men.

"Ranma," The woman greeted neutrally.

"Er... um... Nabiki?" Ranma replied awkwardly, recognizing the voice.

Nabiki nodded in confirmation and gave Ranma a thin smile.

Studying Nabiki, Ranma marveled at the changes that time had wrought. Nabiki was still slender, like she was back in the day, but taller. She had filled out a bit, but not too much, and she wore her hair long. It cascaded down her back until it stopped in the small of her back. Ranma thought the most change thing about Nabiki were her eyes. Where once was a lively, mischievous, and greedy shine in Nabiki's eyes now was replaced by a cold, greedy, and hard look.

Ranma involuntarily shuddered internally as Nabiki sized him up like a shark would a choice tuna fish - or a buyer looking over a piece of property. Either way, Ranma felt like a nick-nack or a object under the gaze of the other woman.

"Amazing. You haven't aged a day," Nabiki commented as she continued to give Ranma the once over. "Still as pretty as I remember. Hmm..."

Ranma began to feel very, very uncomfortable at the look Nabiki was giving her.

"Where's Akane and her husband?" Inquired Nodoka as her eyes darted about the hall. Ranma stiffened at her mother's words.

"They went to the station to get the tickets," Kasumi explained. "We thought it would make things go faster."

"Really now?" Nodoka questioned skeptically.

"Yes... Mrs. Saotome, do you have a moment?" Dr. Tofu asked in a gentle, yet commanding way. "It'll only take a moment."

Nodoka looked between Ranma and Dr. Tofu. Realizing her mother's reluctance to leave her, Ranma nodded in consent and Nodoka allowed herself to be led up the hall by Tofu. Once they were far enough, Tofu began to speak in hushed tones to Nodoka. Ranma watched with fascination as she began to study the changes in Tofu. Before she could really start noting any, she was distracted by Kasumi coming up to her with a man that she'd never seen before at her side.

"Ranma, this is my husband, Kanryu Hiyowai," Kasumi formally said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," the tall man said with a bow. "My colleague, Dr. Tofu, has spoken highly of you."

Ranma looked between the man and wife, blinked, and looked uncertain. "Um... yeah. Pleased to met'cha."

Dr. Okamaoto gave a soft chuckle as Nodoka returned to her offspring. "Are you up for a bit of a walk, or would you like us to call for a cab?"

"I'm fine," Ranma replied. "I just want to get out of here."

---------

With her mother at her side, she followed behind Dr. Tofu, Kasumi and her husband; her father led the group, hobbling at a good gait with Mr. Tendo at his side. Ranma continued to make more observations, swiveling her head around like a tourist would, trying to take in as much of the sights as possible in the shortest amount of time.

Overall, Ranma had concluded that people in general seemed to be the same as before... her long sleep, but there were some minor differences that stuck out. She had noted more than once several people holding something up to their head and started talking into it. It was only after close inspection on one person passing by that Ranma managed to pick out the small devices - some with small antennas - that folded up neatly to be placed in a pocket or purse. She assumed that they were some type of fancy walkie-talkie thingies.

The cars along the way seemed different, but since Ranma never really paid much attention to them to begin with, she couldn't really tell what was different about them. They were rounder or something. All she was really able to tell was that they weren't what she remembered cars were like before...

She spied several people her own age with wires sticking out of their ears. The wires trailed down from their ears into their pockets. Without a closer inspection, Ranma could only venture a guess what the wires were really for.

Approaching a crowded bus stop along the way, Ranma saw two seated men in business suits with a thick, plastic folder-things or some type of folding thing on their laps. One was tapping on the insides with his fingers while the other had a walkie-talkie thing in one hand and doing something that Ranma couldn't make out with the other. Getting near enough to see the details, Ranma noticed that each of the thick folder things had small typewriter keys on the inside bottom with some kind of... Ranma had no words to describe what she saw, except it was like a small, flat television or something.

The most glaring change that Ranma noted was the not something that was tangible - it was something that she couldn't even put into words. It was an empty feeling... like she was hollow and void of emotion, combined with the general feeling of being out of place. It was like she wasn't supposed to be here, like she wasn't suppose to be alive.

Continuing on, the seven people made their way through the semi-crowed streets.

Passing a newsstand, Ranma froze as she studied the headlines. She didn't really pay any attention to the content, but what caught her eye were the dates on the newspapers. Her shoulders sagged.

"It'll be all right," Nodoka said soothingly as she prodded Ranma along.

"Um... yeah. Right," Ranma responded in a half daze.

Biting her lip, Nodoka looked over her shoulder to the two doctors who were following. "Er... Ranma, Akane will be at the station, you do understand?"

Taking a sideways glance at her mother, Ranma shrugged. "Yeah... so?"

"Ranma, I know that you haven't time to adjust, but understand... it has been twenty years."

"I know mom, I know," Ranma said with false bravo. "Akane's married. I understand."

Nodoka looked upon Ranma's betraying face. "He's as bad at lying as I remember," she thought. "Ranma - dear, you don't have to lie to me."

Ranma tried to maintain her brave face. "I ain't lying."

Sighing, Nodoka slowed down a bit, putting some distance between the men that were ahead and her and her child. "Ranma... I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but I will be here for you and you do have reasons to go on."

Wondering what her mother was getting at, Ranma stopped and faced her. "Mom?"

"I just want you to understand and be prepared, Ranma," Nodoka said. "I know it's going to hurt."

"Aww... mom," Ranma began.

"No Ranma, no lies - please," Nodoka half-pleaded.

Mother and child stared at one another, ignoring the people passing around them. Nabiki, Dr. Tofu, and Kasumi with her husband waited a respectful distance away. Genma and Soun continued on to the train station, completely unaware that no one was following them.

"I'm... sorry mom," Ranma said, looking down a bit. "I... think I know what you're trying to say... but it hasn't really sunk in, you know? It's like... it's like I’m here, but not really. It’s all so unreal."

Moving closer to her child, Nodoka smile thinly. "You are going to see her at the station. If you rather not, I can send Kasumi ahead to warn her away."

"No, don't do that," Ranma said. "I can handle it. I'll be fine.... besides, I want to see her."

"All right, if you say so," Nodoka said comfortingly to Ranma as she urged her along. "We'll have to hurry though if we want to catch the next train."

Picking up the pace a bit, the group caught up with the men, who were a half a block away at the time, and soon found themselves on the platform of the station. The crowd was thin where they were at, but it got more congested the nearer the tracks they got. Everyone but Ranma started looking around the crowd, searching for someone.

"Over here!" Came a cry.

As one, the seven people turned in the direction of the call and Ranma was once again face-to-face with her fiancee... her ex-fiancee. Now that the shock had worn off, Ranma was able to her first real good look at Akane.

"Oh god," was Ranma's only coherent thought. It was worse than she thought.

She was taller than her girl form, which was no surprise since she was always taller than her girl form, but now she towered over her by a good half a head. Akane had filled out nicely over the years, more so than her sisters did. She still have a waspish figure and, Ranma had to admit, a nice set of breasts. Except for the temples, Akane's hair was still a dark blue and now slightly past shoulder length. Her eyes... her eyes were still the deep chocolate brown that Ranma used to love looking into and the glasses that she wore did nothing to draw attention away from them.

"Akane..." Thought Ranma. "It is Akane."

The next thing that got Ranma's attention was the man who was by Akane's side. The first thing that Ranma could tell was that this man was not a martial artist. He was taller than Akane by a head, thin with slightly hawkish features. His deep set eyes burned bright with intelligence. His jet-black hair was thinning in the front in the first signs of a receding hairline.

Ranma put two and two together. "Married... right," she thought. "God this is harder than I thought." She managed to swallow down her heart that had managed to make it's way to her throat. Hard.

She quickly discovered that she wasn't as prepared for this meeting as she thought and Ranma began to involuntarily backed away, only to be stopped by the arms of her mother encircling her from behind. "It's okay," Nodoka whispered softly into Ranma's ear. "I'm here for you."

Relaxing at her mother's words, Ranma tried not to look too distressed. Swallowing again, she faced Akane, ignoring the man beside her, and forced a smile. "Akane," She said. "You're looking... good."

"Thank you," Akane said with some trepidation. "How do you feel?"

"Um... I'm... I'm gonna be okay," Ranma obviously lied.

"Ranma-" Akane began.

"Excuse me ladies," the man next to Akane said. "But if we are going to find seats, we’ll need to get to the platform."

"Thank you dear," Akane said slightly annoyed at being interrupted. "Why don't you run ahead and get us a some."

"An excellent suggestion Akane," Nodoka agreed while turning to Genma. "Dear, why don't you and Mr. Tendo go with Shinji and help him."

After the three men had left, there followed an awkward silence.

"So he's-" Ranma tried to ask, her voice trailing.

Sighing, Akane nodded. "Yes. My husband. I'm sorry Ranma."

Waving her off, Ranma forced another smile on her face - maybe a little too forced. "It's okay, it's not your fault. It's Goz's."

"I never would have thought that little twerp would do something like this," Akane said bitterly, hands clenched. "But looking back now, all the signs were there."

"Yeah..." Ranma agreed. Then a feeling of melancholy sprinkled with regret filled her and bubbled over. "Um, Akane... I'm.... I'm sorry," she blurted out.

Eyes widened behind her glasses, Akane shook her head. "It's not your fault, Ranma. It was all Gosunkugi's fault. You have nothing to be sorry for-"

"That's not what I meant," Ranma began babbling. "I'm sorry for... for... ever calling you uncute and making you mad and being a general jerk when we first met."

Wondering what brought this on, Akane blinked at Ranma. "Ranma?"

"I'm just sorry for everything," the last said with a voice that was thick with emotion. "I'm just-"

"Ranma," Akane said as she placed her hands on the smaller, younger girls shoulders. "It's all right. It was a long time ago. We were just a couple of kids... back... then..." her voice trailed off as a stricken looked passed over Ranma's features.

"Oh Ranma," Akane said sadly as she realized what she had said. "I'm so sorry."

For some reason, that did it. Not caring if anyone saw or what they thought, Ranma broke down again. Burying her face in her hands, Ranma openly wept as Akane embraced her. Nodoka came up from behind and encircled both women in her arms while saying soft words of comfort.

While holding and trying to calm Ranma, Akane internally berated herself for putting her foot in her mouth. "Dammit," she swore to herself. "I've got to be more careful - I should've been more careful."

Kasumi, who had been hanging back with her husband and Dr. Tofu, moved directly behind Ranma and rubbed her back. She also added words of comfort. Tofu and Hiyowai continued to hang back, not wanting to intrude on the moment.

"Sorry..." Ranma said weakly as she straightened.

"You've been through a lot, you have nothing to be sorry for," Akane said. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I didn't think when I-"

"It's okay," Ranma interrupted.

"No it's not," Akane said. "I just want you to know, that if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. Okay?"

"Yes Ranma," Kasumi chimed in. "We will do anything we can to help you."

Looking up at the two sisters and her mom, Ranma felt cocooned in a warm, safe haven from the outside world. She eventually nodded. "Okay..."

Remaining in what was a group hug, they garnered odd looks from the other people passing by. The four women didn't care. The moment was broken by the PA announcing that their train was boarding.

"We all better get a move on," Nodoka said reluctantly as she and Akane guided the redhead toward the platform. The others trailed behind them.

--------

Ranma sighed and leaned back into the seat. "What am I going to do?" she lamented to herself. Even the knowledge that the lock on her curse would go away in a few weeks didn't help her mood. Ranma was surrounded by familiar strangers... and a equally strange world.

Ranma sighed again and watched the world go by.

The train ride was boring and gave Ranma entirely too much time to contemplate her situation. Worse, was the way her mother was almost smothering her protectively. It wasn't that Ranma didn't appreciate the gesture, but on one hand it made her feel less... independent and the other, it was exactly what she needed right now.

"Damn you Goz," Ranma thought with malice. "You took everything - everything from me!"

Staring out the window, watching the world go by in the dimming light of the day, Ranma tried her best not to look at her companions. Every time she did, a surreal feeling kept creeping upon her. The feeling was more like an out-of-body experience, as if she were the outside her body looking upon a strange scene. In spite of her feelings, she forced herself from the outside world passing by the train to look upon her companions again.

Ranma stared blankly out the compartment window as the sun edged lower in the horizon, streaking the sky with the red and deep purple shades.

"I wonder if Ucchan is still alive? Or Ryoga, Cologne, or the freak?" Ranma pondered over the people she knew. "Heck, I wonder if that old lady that use to nail me with her ladle is still alive."

Depression started to set in as Ranma began to wonder about classmates and teachers that she had known. "I wonder what they're doing now? Hell - even wonder what the Kunos are doing?!"

The weight of the years that she had yet to live seemed to bear down on her.

"Twenty years is a long time, I wonder if they are even still alive?" Ranma wondered before shaking her head. "Idiot, of course they're alive. If my mom and pops are still around, they should be too."

Settling back into her seat, she unconsciously leaned against Nodoka as she considered one, last depressing thought. "Will they remember me? Or... maybe... No, they're probably busy with their own lives now."

She started to truly feel how much the world had moved on and left her behind.

Deciding that she had enough of those depressing thoughts, Ranma turned away from the window and distracted herself by studying the man seated across from her. Someone she knew better than anyone else. Her father.

He was still bald and looked a little thiner than than the last time she saw him. What had changed the most was how he moved. Genma used to move with a certain amount of fluid grace for a man of his bulk. But it was Genma's bulk that was deceptive. Underneath that 'tub of lard' exterior used to be solid muscle.

Used to be...

The years haven't been kind to him. Genma Saotome was still a large man, but what was once a mountain of muscle had given way to flattening, sagging flesh. Where once he move about with a certain amount of grace, he now limped about with the help of a cane.

The man sitting next to Genma, Soun, had aged rather well in comparison. Soun Tendo's hair was still long, but its black color was laced with strands of gray hair that gave an overall impression of him having light gray hair. The hair around his temples was pure white as was his mustache. He lean form sat ram-rod straight in his seat and he seemed to be either staring off into space or studying Ranma.

Whichever it was, the blank stare in his eyes unnerved Ranma a little.

Sharing the benches across the aisle of the train were Kasumi and her husband, Nabiki, Dr. Tofu, and Akane and her... husband. Ranma made it a point not to look in that direction too much. There were some things that she just wasn't prepared to deal with yet and the short amount of time at the station when she met him proved it.

Turning back toward the window, the light outside was becoming dimmer. This had the effect of making it easier to see the carriage's interior reflected on the plexiglas. Focusing on the pane of glass, Ranma was able to pick out Akane's image as it was sandwiched between the reflections of her husband and Kasumi. She appeared to be engrossed in a conversation with her sister.

"So much has changed," Ranma lamented to herself. "Akane even has kids now... oh, Akane... I'm so sorry. I should have just accepted my curse instead of trying to find a cure. Now it has cost me everything."

"Son? Are you all right?"

Looking up at her mother, who had asked that same question maybe a dozen times since leaving the hospital, Rama nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine," Ranma lied. "Just wondering."

"About?"

"What else has changed," Ranma commented. She then looked at the two older men across from her and decided to go with a subject she was comfortable with. "Well pops, have I missed out on any new techniques while I was... away?"

Smiling thinly, Genma shook his head with a slight motion. "Not as much as you would think, boy," he answered. "In fact, there isn't really much out there that you didn't already know."

Blinking at that, Ranma's curiosity was roused. "Really?"

Genma nodded. "Yes. Well, there are some variations of existing techniques, but as far as new ones goes..."

"It makes sense if you think about it," Soun interjected. "After all, most of the techniques that you learned were hundred - sometimes, thousands of years old."

Cocking her head in thought, Ranma saw the logic in it.

"Then there is the fact that less people practice the art like we did then when you were around," Genma added. "They found other - less demanding ways - to spend their time."

On those words, the two men seated across from Ranma turned and looked at where Akane, Nabiki and Kasumi were sitting. From what Ranma could tell, the looks on the men's faces were a mixture of disappointment and... resentment, maybe? Ranma started to feel uncomfortable about the obvious change in the mood of her father and his friend. Not wanting to sour their moods further, Ranma didn't press for any explanations. But that didn't stop Genma from voicing his displeasure.

"The latest generation has been a disappointment - a great disappointment," Genma said lowly, almost in a growl. "They don't want or understand the need of making sacrifices for the art that Soun, you or I did."

Nodding his head along with Genma's words, Soun spoke up. "They would rather waste their time on pointless things, like computers, video games, anime, and sports."

She looked between the two men. Ranma was a loss for words and felt unsure of what to say. There was also the fact that she didn't know what some of the things that Soun mentioned meant.

"You see, my grandchildren have not pursued the art like they should have," Soun continued to explain. "They think the art is merely a hobby and unimportant."

"Not important?" Ranma couldn't help but ask. Martial arts was a big part of her life - and was a very important part of the lives of everyone she knew. How could the world change so much?

"Yes," Soun said with hints of bitterness. He turned, looked past Genma, and out the widow at the passing landscape. "Hiroshi, Akane's son is more interested in video games and Armed Slaves, like... like... hmm... I think they are called M-9 Gerwalks - or something or other. In any case he is more interested in tin robots then the art."

Ranma blink-blinked at Soun. The only thing she really understood of what Soun had said was that Akane had a son. Depression started to take hold as silence fell among them. Ranma felt that her choice of a 'safe topic' was in fact, a sore spot for the older men. She sat and wondered at what else had changed in the last twenty-two years. Sighing again, she felt even more out of place.

"Much has changed Ranma," Nodoka said while placing a comforting hand on Ranma's shoulder. "But it'll be all right. I promise."

Opening her mouth to say something, nothing came out. Ranma just sighed for the umpteenth time.

"It'll be all right," Nodoka repeated as she leaned over and encircled Ranma with an arm. "I'll be with you and help you, no matter what."

Ranma leaned into her mothers embrace. She didn't like feeling dependent, but right now she didn't really care. She needed all the comfort she could get.

"Stop coddling the boy," Genma hissed under his breath. "It will make him weak."

Ranma felt as if she had just been slapped by her father's words.

"Weak. That's how I'm acting," Ranma told herself. "I'm suppose to be a man... I'm suppose to be strong."

Trying to pull away gently from her mother, Ranma was stopped as Nodoka tightened her grip around Ranma's shoulder. Glancing up to tell her mother that it was all right, Ranma beheld the dagger-like glare that her mother was directing at the man seated across from them. Turning to where her father was seated, she saw him wince at the look.

"Talk about weak," Ranma thought somewhat mischievously. "One look and pops is almost crapping in his drawers."

Nodoka kept her anger in check for she didn't want to create a scene in front of Ranma, but Genma's words had raised her ire. "How dare he!" She thought to herself as she rubbed Ranma's shoulder, making her relax a bit. "How dare he do that to our child - after more than twenty years!"

She was torn between continuing to support her child and reaching over and wringing her husband's neck. "Husband, we will talk about this later," Nodoka said in a tone laced with a cold, sharp edge. "My child needs all the support he can get - and I will give it to him."

The two parents stared at one another waging a silent war of wills. Protected by the arms and willpower of her mother, Ranma had the impression that what was going on was an old argument - an unresolved conflict from a bygone age. Genma tried to project a brave and honorable face, but failed miserably. He settled for crossing his arms and huffing lightly. Genma backed down and Nodoka relaxed a bit and went back to giving Ranma her undivided attention as the stand off continued on a lower level. Internally Nodoka swore to make her displeasure known to Genma later and was relieved when Akane, who had watched the whole exchange, approached them.

"Uncle Saotome, do you have a moment to help me with something?" Akane asked sweetly.

Genma looked up at the gently smiling Akane and back at his wife and child.

"Why don't you go and help Akane with what she needs, husband," Nodoka urged with a bit of malice in her tone, "and leave us to ourselves."

"Very well," Genma relented somewhat gruffly as he rose from his chair. "but we will talk about this - and other things - later."

Nodoka mouthed a 'thank you' to Akane as Akane led Genma away before turning her attention back to her child.

------

"It's just this way," Akane explained as she lead Genma down the aisle of the train, passing by other, seated passengers. "It won't take but a moment."

Genma followed, too preoccupied with his thoughts to really pay Akane any mind. He was glad that Ranma was back - unmarried and unattached - so that he and Soun could move forward with their plans for the schools. One of Soun's grandchildren marrying Ranma would be a good way for Soun to get the dojo back from Nodoka without having to explain anything to his daughters. Nodoka would undoubtedly give the dojo to Ranma as a wedding present.

"If I play my cards right, I might even get Nodoka to back us on this," Genma thought as he continued to follow Akane to the back of the car. "I can appeal to her desire for grandchildren - real grandchildren of her own."

A sly grin invaded his face. "Yes. If I approach Nodoka from that way, she'll surely back us - but I must move slowly and not tip my hand."

Back at the hospital, it was agreed that an arrangement between one of Soun's grandchildren and Ranma should be made at the soonest possible opportunity, but approaching Soun's daughters directly on this would be a bad idea. Not being able to do much without the parents' permission, they had hopes of appealing to the grandkids by explaining that family honor was at stake. The trick was not letting the other adults in on it until they had made their pitch to their kids.

Akane led Genma to the back of the train, furthest from where they were seated. There were still passengers seated in this section of the car, but it was not as crowded. Before he could even think about what was happening, Genma found himself slammed up against the bulkhead so hard that all the air in his lungs escaped with a loud 'oof'. He found himself being pinned in place by an irate middle-aged woman.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing back there?" Akane hissed through clenched teeth. "It's bad enough with what happened to Ranma and what he has to deal with, but you have to try and make it worse by pulling that crap."

The surrounding passengers edged away from the two as Genma tried to pull himself out of the woman's powerful grip. "I'm doing what's best for the boy," he said defensively. "He can't be wallowing in self pity, he needs to-"

"Didn't you hear what Tofu and Kanryu said? He needs as much love and support that everyone can give him," Akane cut Genma off sharply. "And berating him while his mother is trying to hold him together isn't helping."

Eyes narrowing, Genma snorted. "I raised that boy since he-"

"And he turned out to be a fairly decent human being in spite of you," Akane interrupted again with the sharpness of a katana. "You... you haven't changed a bit. You were an asshole back then and still are one now." She shook a finger in the larger man's face. "You and daddy will behave yourselves or me, my sisters, and Aunty will make sure you do - and you better not be planning anything stupid. Understand?"

Swallowing hard, Genma found himself nodding. "We'll just have to push our timetable back a bit," he thought. "After everything settles down."

Akane released her grip on Genma, allowing his feet to touch the floor again. "Good," she said cooly. "Now let's get back before my dad causes any trouble."

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At the other end of the car, Nodoka still had her arm around Ranma. "Don't you pay your father any mind," she said. "He's been a fool before and still is now."

Craning her neck, Ranma looked up at her mother. "Um... you and Akane are close?"

"Yes dear," Nodoka answered as she hugged Ranma again. "We've been close since you... we dealt with it together."

Ranma nodded with a slightly hurt expression.

Sensing her child's mood, Nodoka hoped to reassure Ranma. "Please understand, she didn't replace you. Nothing can," she added quickly with a hug for emphasis. "Though I do love her like a daughter, we helped each other through the pain of your absence."

Not really able to think of anything to said to that, Ranma basked in her mother embrace. Ranma was finding it very comfortable to be held like that - protectively. Something she had rarely experienced before. A weary feeling washed over her as the roller coaster of emotions the day began to take their toll.

"Er, mom? What will happen to me? I mean, after we get home?" Ranma asked sleepily, stifling a yawn. "What will I do?"

"We'll handle that together," Nodoka replied. "I won't lie to you, there will be a lot to do, getting your records straightened. We will have to have Drs. Tofu and Hiyowai help us with some of the finer points."

Perking up a bit, but still finding comfort in her mother's presence, Ranma said, "I don't understand."

"Well dear, you were gone for a long time. So long that, well... that is," Nodoka stammered a bit before falling silent. "Ranma dear," she began evenly, "the state had declared you missing a long time ago. After a few more years, they declared you... dead."

A numb feeling fell over Ranma at her mother's words. It took a few moments for her to work out a response. "Dead?"

"Don't worry dear, we'll straighten it out," Nodoka said reassuringly, using her arm to bring Ranma even closer to her.

Imagining a worn, forgotten marker in the Saotome family plot with her name on it, Ranma began to feel even more disassociated from those around her. "Dead? Everyone thought I was dead?"

"Not everyone," Nodoka corrected. "You won't find a marker or shrine with your name on it. I wouldn't allow it. I never, ever gave up hope that you were alive. I knew you were alive... just as I knew you would come back to me someday."

Ranma managed to crane her head so to see her mothers face, inches from her own.

"Oh Ranma, I can't tell you how happy I am to have you back, after so very long," Nodoka almost breaking into tears. "You don't worry about anything right now, I'll take care of everything; and whatever happens, I will be there for you."

Being drawn into another embrace, Ranma didn't fight it. Instead, she leaned more against her mother and hugged her back, as if to use her as a shield against the alien world she found herself in. Breaking from the embrace, Ranma felt wanted, needed, and loved. It made her feel that somehow everything was going to turn out all right.

With the calm state she found herself in, the weariness from earlier made itself known.

"Really?" she found herself asking tiredly.

"Of course dear," Nodoka said soothingly as she brushed her fingers through Ranma's hair. "I'll never leave you - ever."

"Never?" Ranma asked around a yawn, in a low, child-like way. Sleepiness was fast overtaking her.

"Never," Nodoka whispered as she continued to smooth Ranma's hair.

Snuggling closer, the day had finally worn Ranma down and sleep finally took over. Soon Ranma was lightly dozing in the comfort of her mother's arms, oblivious to the world around her. The day started as a nightmare, but in some ways Ranma had gained some of what she never had.

In the dying light of the day, the train continued onward to Tokyo.

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