(As OlderRanma turns around, he gets pounced on by a bundle of energy. He
realizes that it's Shampoo. Instead of telling her that he was going to be
late for school like he used to, he hugged her tightly, which seemed to
surprise Shampoo. After a few moments she gladly hugs back.)

OlderRanma:(Still holding Shampoo and whispering softly)Shampoo, I'm not
the Ranma you know......he's behind me.

(Shampoo releases her embrace, slightly embaress, her face blushing.)

OlderRanma:Shampoo, don't be embaressed. I never realized how much I
missed you pouncing on me every day so very long ago. I always took this
incident for granted, totally disregarding it. Well now that I have a
second chance, I want to enjoy it.(Hugs her again)

(Shampoo hesitates for a moment. She realizes that he still is Ranma. And
hugging Ranma, whether she knew him or not, was good enough for her.
Besides, she like the idea that Ranma hugged her back instead of coming up
with a reason to avoid her.)

OlderRanma:(Releasing her)Shampoo, I know that this is a lot to ask, but
can you please do this to me for the next few days....so I can enjoy all
the things I lost. Please?

Shampoo:(Smiles)Shampoo happy to help.

OlderRanma:Thank you.

(Shampoo smiles at OlderRanma one more time before she looks behind him
and wink at Ranma, which seems to upset Akane. She then turns around and
happily heads back to the Nekohanten.)

Ranma:You seem to get great enjoyment in doing this.

OlderRanma:Ranma, I bet you will get great enjoyment hugging Akane after
not having seen her for five years. Please, keep in mind that you have a
Shampoo that always jumps into your arms. Me.....I have nothing.

Ranma:.................

OlderRanma:(Smiling while extending one of his arms forward for Akane to
take hold of)Shall we continue on to school, Akane?

Akane:I guess so(Looks at Ranma for a second and then places her arm around
OlderRanma's arm)

OlderRanma:I'd like to walk into the courtyard and have everyone attack me
for being your fiancee....just for old time sake.(Smiles)For five years
before the battle with Kythen, no one has ever attacked me and, I miss
that.(Sees Akane's worried face)Don't worry Akane, I'll go easy on them.

(OlderRanma both walk into the courtyard while Nabiki and Ranma stay behind
to watch. Slowly, Ranma is starting to realize just how much he takes
things for granted. As OlderRanma and Akane walk towards the center of the
courtyard, a massive mob of boys come charging their way from the front
door, yearning to defeat Ranma so Akane will be free again....free to date
other people. As the mob got closer, they seperated into two group, each
going to opposite sides of Ranma and OlderRanma, forming a massive circle
around them. In the middle of the circle, Akane seems nervous....for
some reason, while OlderRanma is overwhelmed with delight.)

Akane:Jeez, there's a lot more boys surrounding us that I remember from the
other days.

OlderRanma:(Softly)Akane, hop on my back.

Akane:What?

OlderRanma:Just hop on my back.(Gets down to his knees)I've got something
to show you.

(As the mob slowly started closing in on the two, Akane quickly hopped onto
OlderRanma's back, like a piggieback ride. Once she was one his back,
he made sure she held on tightly. We see OlderRanma close his eyes and
raise his hands up into the sky. All of a sudden, we see him starting to
glow a brilliant glow of glue, and a small sphere of pure ki build up in
each of his hands. The mob stop their approach, hesitant about attacking.
OlderRanma then slowly brought his hands together, pushing both spheres
into one giant sphere of ki. We see OlderRanma concentrating very hard,
making the sphere grow bigger and bigger. Once the sphere is twice the
size of a basketball, OlderRanma quickly kneels down on one knee and
release his sphere of ki right into the ground. All of a sudden, the
ground starts to shutter and shake voilently. A few cracks start forming
from where OlderRanma knelt and extends out towards the mob of boys,
streams of blue light shine through those cracks. Then, all of a sudden,
the cracks open up wide and blasts of ki fly upward from it, and envelope
the mob. A huge burst of light blinds everyone, especially Nabiki and
Ranma, who were watching this happen from a safe distance. Then, as fast
as the light came, the light disappeared. All that remained is OlderRanma,
Akane on his back in the middle of a circle of unconscious boys.)

Akane:(Wide eyed)What was that?!?

OlderRanma:(Smiles)I don't want to sound conceited or anything, but that
was my weakest special technique.(Lets Akane off his back)

Ranma:(Running up to them)Can you show me how to do that?

OlderRanma:(Feeling sad)I'm sorry, I can't. I'd really would like to teach
this to you, but I can't.

Ranma:Why not?

OlderRanma:The move took me four year to learn alone. And there is no way I
can teach you this in a few days.....before I die. I'm sorry.

Ranma:..............

OlderRanma:Can we go on in?

Akane:(looks at unconscious mob)What about all these boys, will they be
all right?

OlderRanma:Yes, they will. They'll just wake up with a terrible headache.
That's all. If I really wanted to......I could've kill all of them,(Smiles)
but I'm not like that. Lets go in.

Nabiki:Not yet.(Points to the front door)

OlderRanma:Kuno-sempei, how nice to see you again.

Kuno:(Bokken)I will no longer fall for your trickery again, you sorceror!

OlderRanma:(Turns to Ranma)I don't remember him calling me a sorceror five
years ago.

Ranma:I think he's angry at me for something I did to him yesturday.

OlderRanma:(Curious)What did you do to him?

Ranma:I did this!(Runs up to Kuno and punts him into orbit)God, that felt
good! That Kuno gets so damn annoying sometimes!

OlderRanma:Ranma, just be glad that there is a Kuno to annoy you. You may
see him as nothing more than a punching bag, but you'll realized just how
much you'll miss him once he's gone.

Ranma:What?

OlderRanma:When I was up in the mountains, training........I started
missing everyone I knew. I even missed Kuno, strange as that may seem.
Slowly Istarted realizing how much an impact he had on my life....for
instance. He was the one who brightened my mornings whenever I had a
fight with Akane.

Akane:(Looks at Ranma)Really?

OlderRanma:Yes. Why do you think he said it felt good to punt Kuno-sempei
into orbit? Here's a question, Ranma, do you hate Takewaki Kuno?

Ranma:Well......uh.....

OlderRanma:Maybe you can't speak for it yourself, but I can. When Kuno was
still alive, I couldn't stand him....I couldn't stand everything about
him. But when I found out he had died, I realized that I never hated him...
....not once. When I saw his grave, like everyone else's......I wished he
never died. I wouldn't have wished death to even my worst enemy....well,
maybe Hapousei and Kythen, but you know what I mean. Anyway, you won't
miss Kuno till he's gone....even before I found out he died, I missed him.
I guarantee that if Kuno don't attack tomorrow morning, you will feel empty
inside for the rest of the day.....but you don't have anything to worry
about, he probably will tomorrow. But until that day comes, when or if he
realizes that it's useless continuing on fighting you, you should enjoy
this while it lasts, because it won't last forever.

Ranma}:)ee.......I never looked at it that way.

OlderRanma:Neither did I till it was too late.

Ranma:.............

OlderRanma:Can we go in now?....I want to meet Miss Hinako.

Akane:What're you going to do to her?!?

OlderRanma:(Smiles)I'm going to pose as you Ranma and go into the
class late......I want to see the expression on her face when she realizes
she can't suck all my power away because I have so much to spare.

(Ranma, OlderRanma, Akane, and Nabiki all enter the builing)

(As they entered the building, the morning sky was slowly turning a
terrific shade of red. If OlderRanma had stayed outside to see that, he
would've realized that that was the first sign of Kythen's arrival.)

(We are now inside the school where we see Ranma and OlderRanma in one of
the hallways. Akane and Nabiki are nowhere in sight, having gone to class
so they wouldn't be late. The halls are empty and only Ranma and OlderRanma
are the ones there. They are standing in front of Ranma's classroom, Miss
Hinako's classroom. Ranma seems too be very nervous. Maybe it's because he
isn't too sure OlderRanma's plan is a good idea.)

OlderRanma:Don't worry Ranma, I'm here to help you in whatever way I can.

Ranma:I'm not too sure about this plan.

OlderRanma:Look, do you or do you not want Miss Hinako to stop bothering
you? I, when I was your age, would've definitely wanted her to leave me
alone. Am I right?

Ranma:Are you sure she won't know the difference between you and me?

OlderRanma:What are you talking about? I am you....and you are me. We look
exactly alike to one another....like twins.

Ranma:(Sighs)Okay, what do I have to do?

OlderRanma:Nothing.

Ranma:Nothing?

OlderRanma:Well.....if you count waiting in the hallway something....then
you will be doing something.

Ranma:That's it.....just wait here.

OlderRanma:Yes.(Smiles)As of this day.....Miss Hinako will never bother
you again.....at least I hope so.(Turns and heads into the classroom)

(Inside the classroom, we see a young girl in the front of the room,
wearing a pretty yellow dress. We realize it's Miss Hinako. We notice that
the classroom is full of kids that are either asleep from having their
energy sucked out, or about to fall asleep, too drained to continue on
listening. Everybody's faces look sullen and listless. The door in the
front of the room opens and we see OlderRanma walking in. All of a sudden,
all the poeple who were about to fall asleep snap wide awake, their
attention on OlderRanma. Miss Hinako, who is writing problems on the
chalkboard, standing on a chair to reach it, doesn't notice that someone
has just entered the room.)

OlderRanma:(Thinking to himself)Wow, this brings back memories!(Looks in
back of the room and sees an empty seat)Hey look, that's where my seat
used to be!(Looks at Miss Hinako)Ah, and there's Miss Hinako! Man, do I
remember the time I spent trying to negate her special powers. Now, what
did she used to say before she sucked away my energy.....five yen......
something. Oh well, who cares. I can't believe just being in here fills
me with joy.

(OlderRanma walks up to Miss Hinako, who is still writing on the board, who
is still unaware that someone is behind her.)

OlderRanma:(Thinking)Man, I should try and negate her powers now....she'll
never be able to stop me. What did I have to do though....four fingers on
her chest and four fingers on her buttocks....or something like that. If I
did, the class will think I'm a hentai....and I know I don't like being
called that.....and of course, I would never do that to my younger self.

(OlderRanma turns around and looks at Ranma, who is peeking in through the
little window on the door, and winks at him. Ranma nervously smiles back
and gives him the thumbs up.)

OlderRanma:(Turning to Miss Hinako)Miss Hinako!

(Miss Hinako is startled and falls off of the chair she was standing on.
OlderRanma swiftly puts his arms out in front of himself and catches her
before she hits the ground. Miss Hinako looks at OlderRanma, who is smiling
back, and screams out in her shrill little voice.)

Miss Hinako:Aaaaiiii.

OlderRanma:(Putting Miss Hinako down on her feet)I'm sorry I startled you
Miss Hinako....but I just wanted to tell you I was late coming to class.

(All of a sudden, all the people awake start whispering......about how
stupid OlderRanma was for not just sneaking into his seat before the
teacher noticed. As the whispering continued, all the kids who were asleep
wake up and look at OlderRanma in sympathy.)

Miss Hinako:(Voice turning more feminine)Quiet!

(The entire room becomes silent. Not even breathing could be heard. All
eyes are on OlderRanma.)

Miss Hinako:(Starting to grow taller)You dare come to my class late!

OlderRanma:(Undaunted)Yes.

Miss Hinako:(Turning into a beautiful woman)You know what the punishment
is?!?(Reaches into her pocket and takes out a coin)

OlderRanma:(Standing tall and proud)Yes.

Miss Hinako:Well...aren't you scared!(Places coin between index and middle
finger, looking through the hole at OlderRanma)

OlderRanma:(Smiles)No. I'm not.

Miss Hinako:(Surprised)What?!?

OlderRanma:Come on......try and suck my energy away! I'll stand right here!
I won't move! Give me your best shot!

Miss Hinako:(Suspicious)Is this a joke?!?

OlderRanma:No, it isn't a joke! Try and suck all my energy away! I
guarantee you won't even come close!(Thinking)Besides, I forgot how it
felt.

Miss Hinako:Fine! You asked for it! Five yen......

OlderRanma:(Interrupting)Wait one second!

Miss Hinako:Are we scared now?!?

OlderRanma:(Calmly)No, I'm not scared one bit. I want to make you a deal.
If I survive your energy suck, then you will never try that on me again. If
I don't, then you can do that to me every day for a month....whether or not
I'm late. Do we have a deal?

Miss Hinako:I don't make deals!

OlderRanma:(Smiles)Are we scared?!?.....do you doubt your powers?!?

Miss Hinako:Fine we have a deal!(Offers her hand)

OlderRanma:(Take her hand into his)Deal!

(The two shake hands. We see OlderRanma take a step back and stand there,
waiting to have his energy sucked. Outside, in the hallways, Ranma is
sweating profusely, thinking he will get his energy sucked away every day
for a whole month. OlderRanma gives Ranma a wink and that seems to
alleviate his worries. As OlderRanma stood there, Miss Hinako raises her
hand towards him and zaps him. OlderRanma just stands there as Miss
Hinako continues to concentrate on taking his energy. The entire classroom
glows brightly in the light of her powers. The students watch in fear and
sympathy toward OlderRanma. OlderRanma just stands there, looking totally
uneffected by her energy suck. After a few moments, Miss Hinako gives up
and falls to the ground, too tired to continue on. She changes back into a
little girl.)

OlderRanma:(Running up to Miss Hinako)Are you all right?(Helps her up to
her to her feet)

Miss Hinako:(Tired)Yes, I'm all right? Why am I so tired?

OlderRanma:If you'd really like to know, you tired yourself out taking my
energy away.

Miss Hinako:But that's impossible! I get the energy I take from you!

OlderRanma:Yes.....only to an extent. After a certain point, you start
tiring out. It's a thing called diminishing returns. Anyway, are you going
to honor our deal?

Miss Hinako:(Looks at class and then at OlderRanma)Yes. You have my word...
....now, get to your seat so I can contiue on with my class.

OlderRanma:Miss Hinako, may I please step outside for a moment....I....have
to goto the bathroom.

Miss Hinako:Oh....Okay....but be back in one minute!

OlderRanma:Thank you.(Turns around and leaves the classroom)

Miss Hinako:(Thinking)How in the world did he survive that!?! I sucked more
energy from him in that short period of time than I ever had since I
started teaching......And he didn't even look tired......not one bit.

(Outside in the hallway, we see Ranma and OlderRanma. Ranma seems to be
very happy and grateful about what OlderRanma just did for him.)

Ranma:Thanks, Ranma. How can I ever repay you?

OlderRanma:(Smiles)You already have.

Ranma:Huh?

OlderRanma:Just seeing you notice that you have been taking Akane for
granted was enough. But there is one thing I would like you to do.

Ranma:What is it?

OlderRanma:(Softly)Tell her you love her.

Ranma:What?!?

OlderRanma:Don't try hiding your feeling from me....keep in mind that I am
you....and you are me. I know you love her....and do you know why....
because I loved her since the first day we met. Although I know you could
hide your love for her easily because I used to do it....but keep in mind
that when I really wanted to tell her, it was too late for me. But for you,
it's not too late....That's my only request of you Ranma....nothing else.

Ranma:But Akane isn't going to die, you stopped Kythen before it even
happened.

OlderRanma:Yeah, Akane won't die.....that's the exact same thing I thought
of her as I held her in my arms. "I'll tell her I love her when she
recovers." I would think to myself "I'll tell her I always loved her....
since the day we first me." But that day never came for me.....she never
recovered. For five years I carried that regret, the regret of not having
told her. And now that I avenged her death by killing Kythen.....I still
feel empty inside.(Looks at a nearby clock)Look, you better go on into
class before Miss Hinako gets angry.

Ranma:And what're you going to do now?

OlderRanma:Me. Nothing. I'm just going to walk through these hallways and
enjoy the thought that I'm walking in a building that burned down a long
time ago. Maybe I might pay Akane a visit. What class does she have now?

Ranma:(Thinks for a second and then answers)She has home economics. It's
down the hallway....the fifth door to your right.

OlderRanma:Thanks.(Turns to leave)I'll see you later.

Ranma:Bye.

(We see Ranma watch OlderRanma walking down the hallway towards Akane and
Ukyou's class. After a short moment, Ranma smiles as goes into his
classroom. OlderRanma stops in front of Home Economics class and hesitates
for a moment.)

OlderRanma:What am I going to say?.....oh well, I'll think of something.

(OlderRanma knocks on the door. After a few moments, the door opens and we
see the teacher standing there, looking at OlderRanma intently. OlderRanma
looks over the teacher's head and noticed that the class was in a state of
anarchy. There were students running back and forth between tables,
borrowing cooking utensils. Some students were busy trying to cook, only to
fail miserably. Others were ripping their hair out, wondering why their
bread doesn't rise like all the rest. OlderRanma did notice one student
doing fairly well, and that her work station wasn't a mess like everyone
else's. To OlderRanma's surprise, he noticed that that student was Akane.)

Teacher:May I help you?