Over the next three months days went on as they had always but the Amazon village seemed to be in a bit of drought and that worried a certain fang toothed boy, since that meant that his time to see the red headed girl was extended. Of course there was the occasional glimpse of Ranma in his red headed female form. Though it didn't compare to the actual touch of her hands...

Although he dearly missed Ranma in his girl form, he did enjoy the company of Ranma's male side. There was a calm air about Ranma in his male form, one where he could simply have fun with him and train with one another. It was true that he complained about being hit before, but that changed as Ranma taught him that martial arts could also be used to protect those close to them; including the red headed girl. That was clearly enough motivation for him.

Ranma had made sure to keep conversations such as that between them, he didn't need his mother becoming scared of him becoming unmanly.

The world that surrounded Ranma and Ryoga was a simply one, the world of martial arts. This world for them was surrounded by grass and a bald man with glasses; a stern look on his face as he watched the two. The wind blew gently as they stared at one at another, intense looks on their eyes.

"Think you can take me on, Ryo?" Ranma asked, his left arm held closely to his chest and his right arm held out in front him; his fist clenched like a paw.

"We'll just have to see... Ranma..." Ryoga responded, his stance a mirror image of Ranma's.

Genma found himself smirking, this is where he would put his intense training to the test. His entire soul was put into training the two and he would see the fruits of his effort and neither were complaining. Ranma didn't complain because he had a passion for the arts and that's what made Genma proud to a certain degree, whereas Ryoga had a different motivation... sadly he knew, to some level that Ryoga's strength came from making Ranma happy.

"Go you two..." Genma said, his head lowered as the light from the sun reflected onto his glasses and caused his eyes to vanish. "Show me what the Saotome School of Anything Goes martial arts can do!" he shouted, raising his head in a dramatic fashion.

Immediately the two rushed one another, crying out their simple screams of battle. "Ha!" the two shouted in unison. The very second the two tried to exchange fists, Genma noticed that they seemed to move in a fluid way. If Genma had to put it in words, he'd have to say that he was impressed by the way they anticipated each others moves.

"Maybe this boy isn't such a burden..." Genma commented, smirking.

Ranma attempted a round house kick but found that his leg was stopped by the forearm of his opponent. Ryoga countered with his fist and aimed to inflect some heavy damage on the black haired Saotome child.

Ranma's eyes widened as Ryoga's fist came in contact with his cheek, he reeled back before regaining his composure. He noticed the look on Ryoga's face and took his stance yet again, "Not bad... ya' got the first hit this time."

"I try my best..." Ryoga replied, offering a kind smile along with a warm laugh.

And just like that the two were at it once again, exchanging blows until Ranma ducked underneath Ryoga's arm and angled his head to bump into the fang toothed boy's chin, effectively causing him to reel back. That was when Ranma continued his assault and kicked Ryoga in the stomach.

Ryoga fell and cringed as he saw that Ranma stood above him, leaned down, with one fist aimed towards his face. "Got'cha."

Ryoga leaned up on his arms and nodded his head, admitting defeat. "You've been at this longer than me..."

"Yeah, but I got a bum for a dad... so yer catching up."

"Hey!" Genma shouted. "Be glad I'm teaching you now! Show some respect!"

Ranma rolled his eyes and stuck out his hand, helping the boy to his feet. The fang toothed boy dusted himself off, remembering that Nodoka wanted him to try his best at keeping his clothes clean.

"You're both lacking skills but are improving at a good rate..." Genma praised.

Ranma glared a bit at his father and crossed his arms. He would have been further in his art if his father had actually taken the time to teach him from time to time, he knew that his father was often times busy trying to put food on the table but that didn't mean he couldn't give him one of those lessons he had to figure out. Ryoga on the other hand was delighted to know that his skills were good enough to go against Ranma, at least to the point of giving him a good match.

At that moment the mother of the family walked out of the home, once again thankful for being given another day off. Of course she wasn't aware of the reason for the day off, but she still liked the idea of spending time with her family, even if it was sort of strange that they lived in China rather than Japan and had a cursed boy living with them.

Nodoka stepped out of the small hut they called home and yawned with her hand over her mouth. "My... all three of you always perfecting you art, how very manly of you all..."

Genma turned to his wife and placed his hands on his hips, grinning from ear to ear. "Why thank you Nodoka-honey!"

Nodoka smiled at her husband and turned to Ranma and Ryoga. "Could you two perhaps go into the village and pick us up some food? I'll get a list for you ready and everything."

Ranma blinked and was surprised to hear that she wanted Ryoga and Ranma to go into the village, it wasn't a common thing for her to ask; especially with Ryoga. "Uh... okay, you got it, mom."

"Of course, mis Nodoka." Ryoga bowed, showing Nodoka respect. Genma appreciated the fact that Ryoga was showing his wife such decency.

"Please Ryoga... call me, mom," she ordered, smiling kindly at him.

"If you ask me... I prefer it when he calls you Nodoka," Genma commented, still not amused with the idea of referring to Ryoga as a child of theirs.

"Genma!"

"Sorry..." Genma replied.

Ranma snickered, there was always something so entertaining about watching his father get scolded. "Alright, me and Ryoga here, will get what you need," Ranma smiled. "Just need to get my some more casual clothes and we'll be outta' here," Ranma said, meaning that he'd rather wear something other than a white gi for once. It was comfortable but it didn't compare to Chinese silk.

"Of course dear... but I'd also like Ryoga to change into something." Nodoka commented.

The fang toothed boy was slightly confused, the only other clothing he had, were those rags the Jusenkyo guide gave him. "Uh... I guess so..."

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Nodoka chuckled for a moment, her hand over her mouth. "Not that silly outfit dear... I bought you this lovely set of clothing yesterday and I'd like for you to try them out."

"Huh...?" both Ranma and Ryoga wondered, tilting their heads to the side.

After five minutes the two exited the house, Ranma being the first. He was dressed in a red shirt, made of Chinese red silk and blue loose fitting pants with flat footed shoes. "Not bad..." Ranma commented, looking over to Ryoga.

The fang toothed boy emerged from the house with a sleeveless yellow shirt and brown travelers pants and rope like stockings that connected to the bottom of his shoes. "I'm glad you like it... I wasn't so sure..."

"I like it pal..." Ranma commented before staring at the fang toothed boy. "It's just that it feels like something is missin'..."

"Hmm...?"

Ranma shook his head, "Nah... some other time."

With that the pig tailed boy turned in the direction of the village and remembered to search for the stand that actually had someone who could speak in Japanese. Ryoga was only following Ranma, a bit closely. Though Ranma had gotten used to these sorts of strange actions, whilst walking Ryoga placed his hands behind his head and looked to the side, unsure on how to approach this topic he wanted to discuss, since he knew Ranma wasn't very interested.

"Ranma..." Ryoga mumbled.

Ranma for his part, had his hands behind his head while staring at the sky. "Huh?"

"I miss..." he paused for a moment, trying to consider another way of addressing Ranma in his female form, but sadly could only come up with. "other Ranma."

Male Ranma blushed and shook his head, trying to erase those very intimate moments between him and Ryoga from his mind. "I told ya', not till' it rains..."

Ryoga lowered his head ever so slightly, disappointed. "O-okay... I can wait..." he replied softly, staring at the ground in front of him. Slowly a very timid smile found its way on his face. 'I can always wait for her...' Ryoga thought.

Eventually they came across the amazon village and noticed that everyone was gathered near the center of the village, everyone cheering and hollering. This caught both of their attentions, but neither spoke or understood what was going on and decided to continue to the market place; no doubt searching for a specific stand.

The market place was like any other traditional market place, it had stands lined up one another from the left to the right, while the center was used for people to walk around and perhaps purchase something that caught their eye... or was hungry. Occasionally there would those merchants who stood out into the market place, trying to advertise how great their product was.

Unfortunately for them very few were even paying attention, due to the people crowding around that one area, talking about who knows what.

Ranma turned his head in that direction. "Wha'cha think is goin' on there?"

Ryoga shrugged his shoulders, passively dismissing the people. "I don't know."

"Whatever I guess, probably some dumb festival..." Ranma commented. All he knew was that he wasn't invited and that he didn't need to worry about it.

"Oh... it's much more dan dat..." the Japanese speaking merchant stated, who was a generic aged female, with a bad Japanese accent.

Ranma quirked a brow and crossed his arms. "What are you on about?"

Ryoga merely stared, unsure of what to say.

"It's a tournament between the villages best female warriors... and of course only female warriors."

"And what's the prize?" Ranma asked, now interested in hearing more about this tournament.

"The prize is a huge fest, suited for da best of warriors!" The old woman exclaimed, throwing her hands out.

Ranma smirked and tightened one of his fists, the idea of gaining some recognition for his skills was too good to pass up. "I'm going to try it out!"

The elderly woman blinked, "I told you only female warriors may attend."

Ranma stopped to think for a moment, this of course would mean becoming a woman. Though the opportunity was far too good to pass up. "Hey... how much for that water right there?" Ranma asked, pointing to the water bottle near on the woman's stand.

The aged woman tilted her head to the side, unsure of what happened to Ranma's resolve to enter the tournament. Could it be possible that this boy was aiming to impersonate a woman and win the competition?

Ryoga was instantly able to guess Ranma's next course of action, he was planning to use his female form! The idea of him returning to his female form... well the feeling alone was sending butterflies in his stomach.

The merchant named her price and Ranma quickly paid for it. The black haired boy quickly grabbed Ryoga's hand and lead him behind a tree; a decent distance away from the tournament. From there he unscrewed the lid and poured the cold water onto his head, making sure not to get his clothes wet. "Here..." Ranma said, passing Ryoga the empty water bottle.

Ryoga took the bottle, staring at Ranma as he had once again entered his female form. The female form that he had longed to see once again, the one he had hoped to be held by again or to be bathed by. The one that would allow him to play with her in a much more interesting manner.

Of course now... he was completely aware of what licking a woman meant in human terms. Though he was afraid he'd have to settle for something a little more subtle.

Ranma poked her head out from behind the tree and saw that the tournament had already started again. The combatants exchanging blows as she watched. "Looks like no one saw..." Ranma commented, turning back to Ryoga but before she knew it she was caught in a warm embrace by her sparing partner.

Ryoga held the fidgeting girl in his arms for a moment, a content expression across his face as he did so. "I believe in you... Ranma..."

Ranma tried to worm her way out of his arms but found that she wasn't as strong in her female form as she was in her male form. Though she stopped when she noticed Ryoga's words of encouragement, she figured she'd let him have this moment with her. "Y-yeah... thanks..." she paused, looking to the side.

Ryoga sighed contently and leaned his head on her, since she was a tiny thing in comparison to him.

"Uh..." Ranma blushed and raised her hand, fake coughing. "You can let go of me now..." she blushed, avoiding eye contact with the fang toothed boy.

Ryoga's eyes widened and he jumped away. "S-sorry, Ranma!" he bowed, his eyes wide.

"No problem..." Ranma responded, making her way over to the tournament grounds.

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

Tournament Grounds

Shampoo had finally gotten her fill of this opponent and decided that this fight it had carried out far enough. Then when her opponent came close enough she readied her chúi and strikes, sending her opponent flying and into the air, her body leaving the large log battlefield.

Shampoo rose her hand and waved to the crowd with her chúi.

"Hey!" Ranma shouted, jumping onto the log battlefield. "I'll take you on!"

Shampoo narrowed her eyes and glared at Ranma. "You is wanting to fight me?" she replied, tightening her gripe on her weapons.

Ranma was shocked to see that this girl spoke Japanese; although very bad Japanese, it was still Japanese. "Oh good... dat'll make this easier..."

"You is wishing dis easy..." Shampoo replied and then turned to the referee and spoke to him in her native tongue. The referee nodded her head and then turned to the crowd, telling them that a new opponent was challenging their top fighter.

The crowd cheered in agreement. Within the crowd was the fang toothed boy, raising his hand for the red headed girl. "Ranma! You can do it!" Ryoga exclaimed.

Ranma turned to Ryoga and waved once, smiling as if he was a camera, when she opened her eyes she saw that Ryoga was looking down and blushing. This was what she didn't like about being a girl... Ryoga was always so awkward around her.

"Crowd says we go..." Shampoo stated, smirking.

Ranma with a cocky grin took a battle stance. "Bout' time!"

The referee rose her hand and turned to both of the combatants before bringing her hand down, signaling for the fight to start.

Shampoo quickly made her way over to Ranma, already so confident in her skills. That would be her undoing as Ranma simply stuck out her foot and made it collide with Shampoo's chin, sending the girl flying into the air and out of the battlefield.

The crowd certainly didn't see that coming, well most of the crowd; Ryoga had the utmost confidence in Ranma and wouldn't even begin to doubt his master's skills.

"Now... where's my prize?" Ranma stated, proudly putting her hands on her hips.

The entire crowd than cheered and applauded Ranma. The red headed girl waved her hand at the crowd, feeling even more proud than she did just a few seconds ago. Her mood sadly ended when she saw that Shampoo climbed up the log again and stopped until she was standing before Ranma.

"Hey... ya' aint gotta' be such a sore loser bout' this..." she stopped as talking as Shampoo placed her hands on Ranma's cheeks and stared her into her eyes.

Ryoga whilst in the group of people saw this as a threat and ran over to Ranma, trying to stop whatever was about to happen. The poor boy only got as far as getting on the log and reaching his hand out to stop Shampoo from doing something horrible to his Ranma.

Ranma was really confused as to what she was trying to do, that was until her question was answered by Shampoo kissing Ranma on the cheek.

"Huh..." Ranma wondered, her eyes wide.

The crowd gasped, already knowing what this meant. Ryoga on the other hand...

He was shocked and for some reason... felt as though his heart was hurting, unable to understand this feeling he was having.

"R-Ranma...?" Ryoga squeaked.