"Kodachi's Gamble" 


A Ranma\Kodachi Romance 


by Rpgingmaster


"Rolling the Dice"


Rated PG-13 ( Limeish, subject to change in later chapters)


Note: In this story, I will be following canon (albeit loosely in 
parts), but let's just assume that Ranma has absolutely zero 
experience in dating. That is canonical because before settling
in Nerima, Genma was so busy turning his son into a "man among men,
he probably never got around to educating him on liasons with the 
opposite sex.


P.S.- I am a BIG fan of the Black Rose!!!! ( insert trademark
laugh )


( Thoughts are in italics )


***********************************************************************

Kodachi was playing a game of poker. She was in a dark room, its only
furniture being two wooden chairs and a deal table, illuminated
by only a dim bulb. Her opponent sat across from her. Despite the 
fact that the light clearly displayed their cards, he could not be 
seen, even when he lowered his hand.


Kodachi knit her brow in frustration. The game had been going for a 
while, yet neither had gained much ground. As they continued playing,
Kodachi decided to take a risk, so she bluffed on a bad hand.


To her pleased suprise, she won a large payout. Emboldened by that
success, she soon risked a larger amount on another bad hand. Again,
she won.


Eventually, she had a large stack of chips, as opposed to her now 
nervous opponent, whose own pile now paled in comparison. She decided
it was was now or never, so she bet it all on the worst hand she had
ever drawn.


As she bluffed, she could her adversary wavering. He paused for an 
instant, then he lowered his cards. 


He had folded. 


She had won.


As the knowledge of her victory because obvious, she rose to leave.
Suddenly, as she passed her mystery opponent, he said in a low, 
seductive voice,


"Aren't you going to claim your prize, iianzuke?"


Kodachi instantly turned around. As if a magical fog had been lifted,
she could now see the smiling face of Ranma. In fact, he kept smiling
as placed a kiss on her lips......


Kodachi woke with a start. She often had dreams like this, and she 
merely smiled as it's memory came back back to her.


However, she just couldn't go back to sleep. As she lay there, she 
pondered what the dream meant, wondering what a card game had to do 
with her Ranma-sama...............


And then it came to her.


And she smiled again......


*************************************************************************

It was another typical day in Nerima, which meant it was a bad one 
for one Ranma Saotome.


The bad news started that morning, when he inadvertenly pissed off 
Akane with another boneheaded, thoughtless comment, so he decided
to go to the Nekohaten to get some ramen. His day turned for the even
worse when Shampoo got jumped by Kodachi just as he finished his 
meal. Now, he was watching them fight over him on the roof.


As he watched the fight unfold, a thought that no man would begrudge
him crossed his mind:

"Why the hell does this crap always happen to ME!!!!!!!", he mentally
wailed.


*************************************************************************

While Ranma was watching the fight, Kodachi was living it. She worked
hard to avoid being hit with Shampoo's bonbori, and she was doing
a fairly sucessful job of it until she noticed Ranma was right below
her.


Just then, Mousse appeared on the scene. He swung his chains out at 
Kodachi, forcing her to backpedal, thereupon causing what little
of the roof she was standing on to be taken from her as she began
to fall. Meanwhile, his chains accidently hit Shampoo, and he found
himself getting the hell beaten out of him for his error.


However, this had no bearing on Kodachi, who still continued to fall.
Due to her training, she could have saved herself, but the presence
of Ranma made the plan she had formulated the night before required
that she do nothing.


As she continued her downward descent, she saw Ranma running over to
catch her.....


**************************************************************************

" I know I'm gonna regret this! "


Ranma ran over to catch Kodachi, but he knew he was going to regret
it. Even though his honor would never allow him to let a woman get 
hurt, he knew full well that it would merely give his unwanted
wannabe fiance even more compulsion to stalk him.


However, as he got into position, he realized that it would be a moot
point if he let her die, as he would not be able to live with himself
if she did.


She fell into his arms, none the worse for wear. As he made sure she
was all right, he prayed that Akane, Ukyo, and Shampoo weren't 
around.


Just then, he felt Kodachi's arms wind around his neck like snakes,
and he felt her face get close to his. He didn't have time to react
though, as he felt her lips brush his...........


************************************************************************* 

Kodachi smiled inwardly as she kissed Ranma. Even though he did not
return it, his lack of resistance had convinced her that her gamble
had paid off. She held the kiss, feeling the warmth build up between
their lips as her stunned lover's lips curled automatically
to encircle hers.


However, the moment was ruined when she heard Mousse fall off the 
roof from Shampoo's rather intense thrashing. As he did, she realized
the danger to both of them if they were seen.


She backed away from Ranma, seeing his shocked and confused face as 
she departed. She left, knowing her mission had been accomplished.


As she did, she was unaware that as she disappeared from Ranma's
view, he placed a finger to his kiss swollen lips, feeling an odd,
yet pleasant, warmth.


**************************************************************************

" What the hell happened......and why do I feel so good? "

This was the only thing Ranma's brain could think of as he saw 
Kodachi depart. As basic feeling returned to his body, he managed
the presence of mind to order his legs to bring him back to the 
Tendo's.


As he did, he kept touching his lips, feeling that odd, yet soothing
warmth. As he walked back to the dojo, he tried to put what Kodachi
had done out of his mind, but he could not. As his efforts proved
fruitless, his mind could only register one thing.

" Could I have...liked it? "

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, it was instantly banished
by a counter thought of Akane malleting him for unfaithfulness,
which was doing a good job of relieving his brain of unwanted 
thoughts of the raven haired gymnast.


However, as walked into the dojo to do his afternoon kata, he could
still feel that pleasant tingle on his lips........


**************************************************************************

Kodachi had a mile wide smile as she returned home. She was unable
to contain her joy, and it seemed everyone could notice the change.
She noticed Midogorame seemed to be almost smiling as his surrogate
mother attended to him. Her flora seemed to raise to full height
as she passed by, as if in proud salute.


That all paled in comparision though, to her brother's reaction.
When she saw him finish practicing his kendo, she couldn't resist
giving him a glomp in the Shampoo tradition. As soon as she did, she
could tell he was more than a little shocked, yet pleasantly
so.


When it came time for dinner, her good mood did not waver, and she 
couldn't resist giggling when Sasuke asked if she was feeling 
alright.


Later, she sat in her room, planning the next phase of her assualt
on the barriers of her Ranma-sama's heart.


Suddenly, inspiration struck, and she knew she had to act fast. With
that, she rang the bell for Sasuke.


In a flash, the ninja servant appeared before her, ready to recieve
his orders. She thought over what to say quickly, then gave Sasuke
his command.


" I want you to find out where Ranma-sama is, and how he is doing,
and I want you to report within the hour. I expect good news. ", she
finished, trying to add a hint of sternness, yet failing.


Despite that, she didn't even have to wait before he had already
leaped out the window to do his duty.......


************************************************************************** 

" I'm such a baka......."

Ranma had blown it. He had said something really stupid to Akane 
again, and he was now paying for it. In fact, he had to sleep on the
roof, lest he be spotted by a pissed, mallet wielding, tomboy.


As he tried to get some sleep, he was unaware that he was being 
watched from afar. In fact, his mysterious stalker had been watching
him for a while.


Suddenly, the spy leapt away, more than ready to bring a report to 
his master........


***************************************************************************

Kodachi found herself smiling as she heard Sasuke's report. After
she checked the time, she leapt across the rooftops over to the Tendo
Dojo, and her would be iianzuke.....


***************************************************************************

Ranma was slowly drifting off into dreamland, but then his instincts
kicked in as they sensed a presence. One that was very close.


He immediately opened his eyes, and they widened considerably
when he realized he was in the arms of a certain leotard clad 
gymnast.


He tried to protest, but he felt that pleasant sensation creep up 
over him, only this was stronger, and it was hard to protest the feel
of pleasure.


However, his indignation at feeling helpless managed to help him find
his voice, and he rasped,

" What are you doing here?! "

He was about to continue, but she shushed him by placing one of her
fingers on his lip. She then said in a seductive voice,


" If I'm to be a good companion, I have to attend to your needs,
and I saw my iianzuke unable to sleep, so I decided to fix that."


Even as she spoke, he tried to free himself, but his body betrayed
him, and what little effort he made inadvertenly forced himself
deeper into her arms.


When he heard this, he hissed, "We are NOT engaged ! ", but it was a 
useless effort, and he knew it. 


Just then, as he debated what to do next, he felt her lips kiss his
neck, just below the jawbone, which silenced any further complaints.


As her lips touched him, he felt a powerful rush of adrenaline
surge through his body, and he involuntary moaned as he felt it. As 
he felt his reservations drain away, he felt that tingle, only 
stronger.


He had barely recovered from that, when he felt her lips fall again
on his cheek. By now, his control and reason had almost completely
drained away, and all he could think of was what could possibly
happen next.


Just then, her lips fell on his, and that made him lose what little
remaining control he had, as he felt his pleasure increase tenfold.


Suddenly, his lust went on autopilot, and it knew what to do.......


**************************************************************************

At that moment, Kodachi Kuno felt as if she had died, and was in 
heaven.


She was kissing her beloved, and not only was he not resisting,
he was enjoying it, returning her passion with his. They held each
other close as the fiery hot spark known as arousal danced across
their lips.


Just then, she heard a noise under them. She hastily disengaged,
much to her's, and the now willing, yet still dazed and confused
Ranma's disappointment. She quickly made her way to the end of the 
roof, but not before she whispered,


"I'll be back, Ranma-sama...."


**************************************************************************
 It was an ordinary morning in Nerima, but one of it's resident's
was feeling decidely not normal.


Ranma was awake, doing his early morning warmup, yet his mind was on
the events of the previous night. He remembered a very intense 
encounter with Kodachi" Black Rose" Kuno, and he remebered that he 
had been passionetly kissing her.


And he liked it.


" No...I didn't just like it....I enjoyed it ", was all that his mind
could register. Simultaneously, as if joining that thought in tandem,
he remebered her words:


" I'll be back, Ranma-sama.... "


And the memory sent that pleasant feeling down his spine again, even
though his conscience was doing it's noble best to remind him of his
engagement.

It failed.


**************************************************************************

Tatewaki had to admit he was confused.


For the second day in a row, his sister seemed, looked, and acted
much happier then usual. In fact, he and Sasuke nearly passed out 
from surprise when they found her in the kitchen, clad in her gown
and an apron, cheerfully making breakfast for three. The fact that
none of her usual coldness and distance was present, on top of the 
delicious meal, threatened to send both he and the ninja into shock.


In fact, as she left for school, her good mood didn't even dim in the
slighest. He went to school soon after, silently offering thanks
to Kami-sama, and praying that her could see this side of his sister
more often.......


***************************************************************************

It was a normal day at Furinkan High, yet Ranma was feeling jumpy
as all hell.


Since the night before, he felt jittery and excited, and it must have
showed, because Miss Hinako was understandably flabbergasted
that she didn't catch him sleeping even once. In fact, her confusion
mounted when she noticed he was paying attention, unaware that he was
merely doing so to try and forget his nervousness.


However, that didn't work, and as he left her class, he still felt
jittery, but he was able to get through his day, and all he had to 
was say he felt energized to deflect suspicion.


Even when he left school, his mysterious energy surge did not pass,
and he arrived at the Tendo Dojo even faster then he usual did, 
leaving a confused Ryouga in his wake. He immediately did his 
afternoon kata, and he was shocked to find his speed seemed vastly
improved, though his concentration was almost completely screwed,
as evidenced by his inability to hold a decent Mouko Takabishi
or even a weak Hiyru Shoten Ha.


Later, he used his new speed aided him at the "chopstick war", where
he suceeded in downing his whole meal, and over half of his father's.
In fact, he ran circles around the already outclassed Akane in their
evening workout.


Unfortunately, this resulted in pissing Akane off, and to avoid her
wrath, he was forced to sleep on the roof again.

However, as he lugged out his blanket and pillow and hoisted them to
the roof, he felt a long dormant tingle of anticipation run up his 
spine.......


*************************************************************************** 

Kodachi was already enroute to the dojo, and she could barely contain
her excitement, but she somehow managed to keep it in check.


However, her self imposed restraint didn't as she knelt over his 
sleeping form and gave him a soft, yet passionate, kiss........


***************************************************************************

Ranma had long sensed the Black Rose's presence, even before her lips
brushed his. As he felt her kiss him, his mind was going through
an entire gamut of thoughts at once.


He knew he was engaged to Akane, and that he didn't want to be like
his father and shirk on his duty. He also knew that if Akane got wind
of his illicit tryst with the raven haired gymnast, she would 
personally beat the living hell out of him. He also knew that he felt
no real love for Kodachi; all he felt was a blind, singleminded
lust.


However, lust took over when her lips pressed onto his. He returned
her kiss with one of his own, all objections silencened by 
overwhelming desire.


Soon, they got more intimate, and they wrapped arms around each 
other, holding each other close, enjoying the feel of their bodies
pressing together, caressing each others backs, enjoying the feel of
each other's flesh as they lost themselves in another long, 
passionate kiss.


***************************************************************************

Kodachi had always dreamed of this moment, but she was joyous beyond
compare that it was actually coming true. As they continued their
moment of mutual passion, she decided that she would make this moment
one that Ranma would never forget........


***************************************************************************

Soon after, Ranma fell flat on his back, his energy drained and his
lust sated. As he held Kodachi in the crook of his arm, he allowed
himself to recover. As he did, he finally came to a decision.


He didn't love Kodachi.


However, he needed her, wanted her, even desired her, like no other.


As that dawned on him, he realized that there was only one honorable
thing he could do.


He had to tell her.


***************************************************************************

She had taken a gamble, and it had paid off.


However, she sensed that something was wrong. Her suspicion was soon
confirmed, because she suddenly found herself sitting across from 
Ranma, a serious look etched into his normally pleasant face.


***************************************************************************

Ranma stared at Kodachi for a long time, unsure of what to say to 
her. After a long pause, he managed to find his voice,


"Kodachi......I....don't know what I exactly feel for you. I want 
you, but I don't love you....at least the way I think I should......"


He felt like a heel for what he had just said, so he added, 


" It's not that I don't care....I'm just not sure anymore........."


With that said, he sat down, unsure of himself and his 
feelings.........


***************************************************************************

Kodachi looked at Ranma, hurt and confusion clouding her face. She 
had known that something was wrong, and now her fears had been 
confirmed.


He didn't love her.


No, that wasn't true.


He wanted her, desired her, needed her, but he didn't love her.


She thought about his words, and she thought about the time they had
spent together. She fondly remembered the passion, the warmth, the 
affection he had shown her, despite his own internal war.


As she thought about it, she realized that it wasn't hopeless.
She may have had the door closed to her, but his heart had cracked
a window open. In time, maybe, the door to his affections would 
unlock as well.


With that in mind, she held him by the shoulders and said, "Ranma,
I love you, but I realize now that I can't force you. However,
I enjoyed our time together, and I would at least like to be your 
friend. And, who knows, maybe we could grow to love each 
other......."  As she finished, she sat, worried that even this 
window of oppurtunity would close.


She was suprised, though, when she felt his strong arms wrap around
her, as he pulled her into a passionate kiss. He held the kiss for a 
few moments, then he released and said quietly,


" I'd like that..........."


To be continued....................


***************************************************************************

Author's Notes:  I based this off of canon, but if it was OOC, I 
swear, it wasn't completely intentional.


I'm a fan of Kodachi, and I don't mind saying so. Also, I'm a fan of
Kodachi/Ranma, but I've been frustrated by the disturbing lack of 
this pairing, so I wrote my own.


This premise was based off of watching how even though the girls 
really want Ranma, they were never very forward. In fact, As far as I
can remember, none of them just up and kissed Ranma on the lips for
no apparent reason, and none of them were creative enough to seduce
him in the manner depicted above.


I picked Kodachi not only because I'm a fan of her, it was also 
because:

1. I don't care if Akane/Ranma fans piss on me for this, but I really
hate that pairing, even in lemons, so this is (in a sense) a middle
finger to that pairing.

2. Also, it is not above her to capitalize on an advantage, and since
Ranma gets (more or less) crapped on by Akane, it would be very 
Kodachi-ish to capitalize on the situation.

3. Since she is the only fiance who gives a damn about him with no 
previous condition engaging him to her, I thought it would be sweet
to pair them up.


Also, even though I'm a fan, even I know that Ranma won't warm up to
her (romantically, mind you) the first time around, so I only decided
to let his hormones do the thinking for him....for now, that 
is...............


Stay tuned, though, for Part II: "Hit and Fold" Kodachi's Gamble

by Rpgingmaster

Part Two "Hit and Fold"

Rated PG-13 (Limeish content, mild language)

Note: This is mostly romance, but it does have some angst.


***************************************************************************

It was an early spring morning at the Tendo Dojo, and one of it's 
occupants was already awake, training his muscles and 
uncharacteristically lost in thought.


A few weeks ago, he had been seduced by Kodachi "The Black Rose" 
Kuno, and since then, they had been having a rather intense, physical
affair. At first, he gave little to no thought to what they did, 
mostly because he had been so depressed, and it had given him relief.


They had not had sex, both wanting to retain not only their 
virginity, but also their honor. However, they continued their late
night meetings, and they would simply enjoy each other's company.
Sometimes they were as passionate as that descive night, but mostly,
the two of them just laid in each other's arms, never speaking,
but enjoying the time they spent just the same.


As he started to pound on a punching bag, his thoughts grew more 
conflicted as he centered them on his true feelings.


He loved Akane, even if his father and her father hadn't engaged
them. In fact, he tried his noble best to make it work, despite
numerous rivals and wannabe fiances. For a time, it seemed their 
engagement would suceed.


However, their relationship soon began to sour. Akane started growing
more distant, more cold. He tried to rectify the situation between
them, yet everything he did to make peace seemed to widen the rift
even further.


During this turmoil, Kodachi had seduced him. At the time, he had 
offered little resistance, mostly because he was too depressed
and upset to care about the consequences.


Now, it was different. His relationship to Akane was (for all intents
and purposes) going to hell, and it was getting so bad that he had 
almost lost the will to do anything about it.


However, he had one thing going for him, and that was, in the 
ultimate irony, Kodachi. He still was unsure as to whether he felt
love for her, and he was still a little unnreved by her, but he had
to confess that he enjoyed their illict meetings.


That was a lie. In truth, he absolutely adored the attention.
For once, it was given to him with no strings attached, and not once
had Kodachi asked his hand in marriage, even if her love for him was
no secret. However, for nothing more than his presence, she gave him
love.........


He hit the punching bag one last time, forcing it to pop and spill
it contents to the ground. As it collasped to the floor, one 
bittersweet thought crowed all others out,

" At least I have that..........."
 
***************************************************************************

Meanwhile, across town, Kodachi was doing her own training, a sad 
smile crossing her face as she lost herself in her back flips, and 
her thoughts.


A few weeks ago, with nothing more than a dream and a thimbleful
of blind faith, she took a big chance on her relationship to Ranma.


True, it had paid off, but her winnings left something to be desired.
She had won a place in her would be iianzuke's arms, yet it pained
her that she had not yet won a place in his heart.


Despite that sad thought, she still smiled.  Even though she had not
yet won his love, she had carte blanche to give him her love.


However, he seemed sadder to her, almost melancholic now. Even though
she did not completely understand why he tried to reconcile with the
Tendo girl, she could tell that his efforts were proving themselves
in vain.


As she concluded her gymnastics training, she promised herself she 
would always be there for him..........


***************************************************************************

He couldn't take it anymore.


Akane had gotten mad at him again, but this time was different.
Normally, he would take it in stride and wait until she cooled down,
but this time managed to break what little control he had over his 
mounting depression. This time, instead of trying to reason with her,
he just made his way to his familiar spot on the roof to mull over
his latest screwup.


As he sat there, his eyes started to water, and his face started
burning red. He tried to stop his emotions, tried to reassert 
control, but it was a downhill effort. As his chest started to heave
and sobs started to leave his throat, he realized that he was being
most "unmanly", but at the moment, he was too morose to care.


And so he continued to cry............................


**************************************************************************

Kodachi was already enroute to the dojo, rady to spend some more time
with Ranma. In fact, she had almost torn tiles off of various roofs
as she made her way across town.


However, her haste died almost instantly when she heard a low, sad 
sound from the Tendo roof. Her heart sank when she saw Ranma, usually
so strong and indefatigable, was crying, now only a pale shadow of 
his former self.


Instantly, her heart and her arms went out to him, and she held him
in a fierce embrace, as if trying to take his pain and sorrow 
away..........


***************************************************************************

Ranma was still dumping his overflowing cup of grief when he felt a 
pair of gentle arms hold him close. At first, he was embarassed,
despite his sadness, of being seen during a moment of weakness.
However, the affection felt so good that he merely returned Kodachi's
embrace as he cried into her shoulder.


For a long time the two of them just lay there, Kodachi holding
him close as relieved his soul of the bitterness, the angst, and the
sadness of his life.


Eventually, his crying stopped, and Ranma had to confess to himself
that the burden on his soul felt much lighter than it had in months.
As he continued to lay in her arms, it seemed that a circuit breaker
tripped in his heart.


For the longest tiime, he had been conflicted about his feelings
for Kodachi. Up until now, he had felt only lust for her, and at 
best, genuine love was uncertain at best.


Now, things had changed. That " warm and fuzzy feeling " that he had
felt for Akane he now felt for Kodachi, only this time it seemed
stronger, even moreso than his lust had ever been.


He then looked up and gazed into her eyes. As he did, he realized
that she felt the same. He manuveured into a sitting position,
so that their faces were only inches apart. Even though his voice
was choked with emotion, he managed to to say what his heart already
was already telling him,


" I.....love you.......Kodachi......."


***************************************************************************

Kodachi was speechless with happiness.


In fact, she was quite literally speechless, because Ranma's mouth
had found hers, and they were sharing the most passionate kiss of 
each others lives. Instead of thoughtless, mindless, uncaring lust,
their kiss signified something more, some deeper, something powerful.


It was now a sign of love.............


***************************************************************************

Author's Notes: This is the end of Part II. This is supposed to be 
the end, but if I get good reviews, I'll revive plans for a third
chapter.

Excuse me......I have something in my eye....sniffle......... 

(runs off to get a hanky.....) "Kodachi's Gamble"

by Rpgingmaster

Part Three "House of Cards"

Rated PG-13 (limeish, language)

Note: This story has some mild Ranma-chan\Kodachi shoujo-ai.
By the way, this entire series is set after he meets most of the guys
and girls (except Happosai and Ukyo)


***************************************************************************

It was a peaceful night, perfect for furthering the pursuit of true
love, if the smiling moon over the Kuno rose garden was any 
indication.


There, two people, namely a Ranma and a Kodachi, were sitting in a 
gazebo, snuggled together, unburdening their souls.


Ranma sat in rapt attention as he listen to Kodachi tell him of the
sadness of her life, of a mother she barely knew and how due to her
family name she had had few friends to share the joys of youth with.
As she told of her travails, he could feel his eyes start to grow 
moist as she dumped her cup of greif. When she finished, she leaned
against him, her emotions taking over, and she cried into his 
shoulder, unburdening her pysche of her past. He held her gently
as she pressed against him, gaining sustenace from his affection.


After a short while, her tears dried as what seemed the weight of the
world was lifted from her shoulders. She held him close and thanked
the Kami that she had sent her this blessing of a affectionate
friend and a passionate lover.


As Kodachi's heart soared, it stirred Ranma's to action, and he was
compelled to unburden the secrets of his own turbid 
spirit.................


**************************************************************************

Now, Kodachi was the attentive one, as her lover told her of his own
pain. He spoke of the mother he missed, yet due to his father, he 
could not visit. He also confessed that the constant fights and being
fought over was eating at him, that he was enraged at having little
or no choice in most of his descisions. He even spoke of his arranged
marriage, of how it had failed, yet the two fathers who had set it up
were adamant about forcing him to honor a pledge he didn't make just
the same.


As he unleashed the poison eating at his heart, it became apparent
to Kodachi that her lover was living in hell, and he desperately
wanted out.


As he finished, he sat down, eyes closed and head bowed, as if 
praying for deliverance. She merely held his hand, and she wondered
what he had not yet confessed that pained him so.


Suddenly, his eyes opened, and he said quietly,


"I have a curse."


However simple this pronouncement was, it made Kodachi worry, and she
asked,

" What do you mean?"

He didn't reply, at least not with words. Instead, he moved over to a
nearby water spigot and filled an empty bucket to the brim. He locked
eyes with her, then he poured the water over his head.


Kodachi just stood in shocked amazement. As the water cascaded
down his toned, muscular body, he transformed before her eyes. 
Instead of a muscled chest, he gained very full round breasts.
His hair, usually dark as night, had turned a bright red. He grew 
leaner, more delicate, more feminene.


Ranma-kun had become Ranma-chan.


As the change completed itself, Kodachi could only ask one thing.

"Ranma-sama......how......."


**************************************************************************

Ranma-chan stared at Kodachi, unsure if Kodachi would love her now.
However, all she could was confusion and shock, not odium. As it 
dawned on her that she had not yet lost Kodachi's love, she sat down
next to the raven haired gymnast and told her how she had gotten
the curse, and how she had not wanted to tell her, for fear of losing
Kodachi's affection.


As she continued, she was unaware that Kodachi was no longer shocked,
instead she was listening intently, and unable to decide what to do.


However, as Ranma-chan finished, Kodachi's heart took command.
Ranma-chan was caught off guard as she felt Kodachi's slender arms
wrap around her now delicate body, and the soft petals that were 
Kodachi's lips pressed on hers......


************************************************************************** 

Even though in her mind this seemed unnatural, her heart was telling
her that loving Ranma like this was not wrong, because she was still
Ranma, the man she loved deeply, and her emotions overrode any 
impulse to back away from her now female lover.


Meanwhile, as her mind was soundly defeated, she found that Ranma
was now returning her passion, pressing her soft, silken, female
body against her as they kissed.


Eventually, they released the kiss, and Ranma-chan looked into 
Kodachi's eyes, uncertain of what to do or say.


Kodachi soon answered her silent query. "Ranma-sama...my
love for you knows no bounds.....I would love you.....even
if you were a true girl......."


Kodachi let this sink in, then she laughed gently, and continued,
"Besides, you're easier to cuddle with like this."


As she spoke, she felt her female lover's arms hold her close, and 
they fell asleep in each other's arms........


**************************************************************************

It was a bright, sunny afternoon at the Tendo's, and Ranma was in the
dojo, doing his usual afternoon kata, when he saaw Ryouga walk in, 
prepared to spar.


As soon as Ranma saw him, though, he knew that he had tell the lost
boy the truth.


" Ryouga....I have to talk to you about Akane."


As soon as he said it, he saw Ryouga's face grow serious, and he 
answered, "I'm listening."


Ranma took a deep breath, then he looked Ryouga dead in the eye.

" Ryouga...I'm not the one who should marry Akane, and I'm not going
to make her more 
 unhappy by marrying her......"  


Ryouga seemed to be thinking about what he had said. Since it sounded
(to Ryouga) too good to be true, he was still suspicious, and he 
immediatly questioned his good fortune.


" How do I know you're not trying to trick- "


Ryouga stopped dead in midsentence, for he now saw the namesake
of the Black Rose in Ranma's hand. When he saw it, the meaning of 
that gesture soon came to him, and as the truth of Ranma's statement
dawned on him, he felt very lightheaded.


"You...you....can't......mean........"


Ranma was getting inwardly annoyed, but then he realized what he 
needed to do.


" Ryouga......for the longest time, I tried to honor my pledge to 
marry Akane, and I did my best to make it work. But recently,
I found out I love Kodachi, strange as that sounds, and when I found
out I loved her, I realized just how unhappy Akane was, and if 
someone was to make her happy, I would be honored if it was you."


With that, Ranma looked Ryouga in the eye, almost daring him to burn
a hole straight through his soul, and he continued, " Remember,
we've been rivals for the longest time, and every time we fought,
we didn't hold back, and that what I'm not going to do anymore."


With that, he backed up a step and let his arms rest at his sides,
in a totally defenseless position, and he said quitely, 
"Ryouga....I'm going to let you hit me, and if I'm lying to you, I'll
defend myself. If I'm telling the truth, I'll take it like the man 
I'm supposed to be should."


Ryouga stared numbly at Ranma, not knowing what to believe. However,
since he knew that he had a chance at Akane, he didn't hesitate
as he aimed a full force fist at Ranma's chest.


Ranma went down like he had been shot the moment Ryouga's fist hit 
his chest. As he went down, he was glad that he trained so intensely,
otherwise Ryouga could have broken his rib cage with that attack.


Meanwhile, Ryouga stood in shocked amazement, still trying to make
the slowly dawning truth compute. Just as it did, that light headed
feeling took over again, and that's when he fainted, leaving a now 
recovering Ranma to stare in surprise.


That was but momentary, for now decided who he needed to tell next.
As he leapt to the roof tops, he made haste to the Nekohaten......


************************************************************************** 

It didn't take him long to reach the restaurant door, and as he 
passed into the threshold, Shampoo, true to form, gave him a mega 
glomp.


After the blood going through his body started turning blue due to 
oxygen loss, she finally let him go. She asked what type of ramen
he wanted, but was more than a little surprised when he asked her if
he could talk to Mousse.


Shampoo blinked. It was an odd request, yet she assumed that her 
"airen" was finally going to put the blind boy in his place once and
for all. Smiling, she yelled, "AIREN WANT TO TALK TO YOU, MOUSSE."


As soon as she spoke, Mousse arrived. He gave gave Ranma an ugly 
look, but that soon transformed into confusion when Ranma started
to speak.

" We need to talk, man to man."


His first impulse would've been to tell Ranma to screw off, but the
evil eye Shampoo was giving him was making him rather compliant.


In a monotone, he replied, " About what, Saotome?"


In response, Ranma pointed to the nearby alley and said, "I'll tell
you there."


Mousse was understandably confused, but he followed Ranma into the 
alley, keeping his guard prudently up.


Once there, Ranma cut to the chase, "I'm not marrying Shampoo."


To Ranma's surprise, a bitter laugh escaped Mousse's lips as he 
asked,


"Why should I believe you, you bastard?"


Instantly, Ranma took the nocturne rose that he had shown Ryouga,
and showed Mousse, making sure to take a long whiff before he stated,


"Enough proof?"


Mousse was stunned. If what he had just seen was true, then......


"Y...you m-mean.......", he gasped.


Ranma looked at Mousse with a piercing gaze, so deep that he seemed
to be analzying the duck boy's soul, and told him, "Yes Mousse...it's
true....."


Mousse really wanted to believe it, but something held him back, and
he looked at Ranma haughtily and replied, "How do I know you're 
telling the truth?"


Ranma had been prepared for this, and that when he relayed what had
happened between him and Ryouga. As Mousse listened, the hopeful
part of him grew in strength, yet something still held him in check.


"Show me.", Mousse stated, unconsciously crossing his fingers.


With that, Ranma lifted his shirt off, revealing a fresh and ugly 
bruise, about the size of fist. In fact, it had the imprint of 
Ryouga's knuckles, dark brown-red standing out amongst a spoltchy
greys. As Ranma bared this Mousse, the shock was evident, even 
through the Amazon's thick glasses, and Ranma then put on his shirt,
wondering just what would Mousse do then.


Mousse's next reaction was a definite shocker. He suddenly ran inside
to glomp Shampoo, and he only managed to knock his wind out as he 
tackled a banister, much to Shampoo and Cologne's amusement.


He then made a quick exit, then he headed for his true 
love............


**************************************************************************

Kodachi was doing her gymnastics training outside, pulling a set of 
intricate flips with ease. As she finished the last one, she saw her
lover hop over the gate, and make a three-point landing, right in the
driveway.


She immediately ran over to him and gave him a warm hug. They 
embraced, then Ranma told her of his encounters with Ryouga and 
Mousse. She listened carefully, then thoughtfully asked,


"Do you think we should tell my brother?"


Ranma, having had a rather easy time talking to two of his former
rivals, felt emboldened, so he took her hand and said,

" Let's tell him together."


**************************************************************************

Tatewaki was in the Kuno family dojo, sweat trickling down his face
as he performed a rather intense speed training exercise. In fact,
he was just finishing when he heard his sister ask if he could open
the door.


He complied, and he was shocked beyond belief at the sight he saw.


His sister, and his greatest rival, were sharing a rather passionate
kiss, genuine affection and wanting painfully obvious to not only 
him, but to the world.


What he saw short circuited his mental fuses, and that image was the
last thing he saw before he passed out...........


***************************************************************************

Two hours later, her brother had woken up, demanding to know what was
going on.


Kodachi inwardly groaned as she started to tell her brother the 
truth, sure as could be that this was going to be a very long 
day.......


Several hours later.........


It had taken awhile, but her and Ranma had finally been able to make
Tatewaki accept the truth. In fact, she considered it a victory
that he merely stared at Ranma, rather than trying to attack him.


Eventually, her brother spoke, slowly and carefully, and he locked
his sapphire eyes with Ranma as he said,


" I am not completely sure you speak the truth, and I confess I am 
greatly suspicious of your intentions. However, as long as you 
continue to make my sister happy, you have my... blessing......"


As he finished, Kodachi noticed a look of great relief start to cover
her iianzuke's face.


**************************************************************************

Ranma was thrilled.


Now, his biggest rivals would no longer fight him, so he didn't have
to keep his guard up anymore.


Unfortunaltely, he then realized that he had other problems. As the
biggest one dawned on him, he decided to take action.

He rose, then headed for the window, but not before telling the Kuno
siblings that he had to make something official.......


**************************************************************************

Genma and Soun were both playing Go, both trying not to get depressed
with the crappy turn the Ranma\Akane engagement had taken.


Just then, the door flew open, and both father's saw Ranma, now 
surrounded by a flaming battle aura, dark blue with a black tinge,
crackling with ki energy. However, before both could respond, Ranma
broke the sudden silence.


"Dad...Mr.Tendo......I hereby renounce my engagement to Akane, for I 
have found another woman, which I love deeply, and I warn both of you
not to interfere."


Instantly, both Soun and Genma, enraged at what they took as impudent
brashness, charged him, intent on punishment.


They never saw it coming.


As they charged, Ranma loosed the largest Mouko Takabishi he had ever
projected right in front of him. The ki bomb exploded directly
in front of the two older men, the intense shockwave flinging them
against the wall, rendering them incapacitated.


They lay there, dazed, unable to move, and angered beyond reason.
Just then, Ranma jumped to the rooftops and headed back to Kodachi,
leaving a shower of black rose petals in his wake........


***************************************************************************

To be continued.......... "Kodachi's Gamble"

by Rpgingmaster

Part Four: "Raising the Stakes"

Rated PG-13 (limeish, subject to change in later chapters)


***********************************************************************

Note: This set directly after Part 3. Also, if I didn't say this 
before, this an alternate universe story, and not only is it 
pre-Saffron, Happosai and Ukyo do not exist in this timeline.
Also, I'm not an Akane hater, but this story is set around the 
premise of Ranma's engagement to Akane going down the tubes.

P.S.- Since the anime (and possibly the manga) isn't very clear about
Kodachi's mom (whether she's living or dead), let's just assume that
she died while Kodachi was at a young age.



************************************************************************

As Ranma lept from rooftop to rooftop, his mind and heart were 
clouded with various thoughts.


He still was in shock that he had fallen in love with Kodachi.
As hard as he tried to remember her negatives, his mind and heart
conspired against by summoning up only her positives, and in the end,
he could not help but agree.


He still remember that fateful day that had altered his destiny.
It wasn't special, and it wasn't notably remarkable, except for one
thing.


Kodachi had kissed him.


Since she had kissed him, not the other way around, and hadn't given
him any death threats or wedding proposals, it piqued his interest,
even though he had denied it at the time. In fact, ever since that
first kiss, he felt like he needed more, and though he had an 
engagement to honor, he couldn't keep what she had done off his mind.
Later, when she had visited him that fateful night, he had tried to 
resist, but at that time, his spirit had been weak, and he had given
only the pale shadow of resistance, but eventually, he had succumbed.


And when he did, he realized he was enjoying the attention immensely,
and he had felt no shame then for his selfishness, only want and 
lust. In truth, that's why he had been so nervous and excited the 
next day. He had wanted more of the attention, like a drunkard
to his bottle, and when she had shown up the following night, he 
didn't even resist as she showed him her love, drowning him in a fire
kindled by desire.


After that time, he had finally realized the truth. Even though he 
still wanted to honor his engagement, he truly realized how much he 
wanted to be held, to be shown affection. Since that night he had 
surrendered, he and Kodachi had been having a strange, yet passionate
and needful tryst, and both had given themselves to each other, if 
for nothing more than to satisfy their own desperate needs.


As time wore on, his engagement got worse and worse, and he stopped
trying to do anything to mend his engagement to Akane. True, he still
would thrash Kuno and Ryouga, but it had all been for naught, as 
Akane didn't even care. In fact, he and Akane no longer spoke, walked
to school together, or acknowledged each other's existence, as it 
caused only more upset and dischord.


He grew steadily more and more depressed, and he the only thing he 
found solace in was his nightly meetings with Kodachi, which he found
himself wanting more and more, as they were the only times the pain
seemed to go away.


Then, it finally happened. His depression, which he had tried to 
suppress, overcame him one night, and despite all the times he had 
been told to act like a man and never betray his emotions, he found
he could not stop the tears.


As he lay there, exposed in a moment of utter weakness, his lover
came to him. Before, he would have been ashamed at the thought of his
true feelings being shown to anyone, but as she held him in her arms,
he could not stopped as he cried into her shoulder, releasing
what seemed a lifetime of anguish.


As he cried, she was there. She didn't judge him, call him weak, or 
take advantage of his weakness. She simply held him close in a 
healing embrace, showing him love. Later, when his tears had dried,
he still lay in her arms, feeling more at peaceful than he had in 
what seemed like eternity. As he felt his inner calm restored,
he realized that something had changed. Suddenly, he realized what
the change had been. 


He realized that he loved Kodachi.


As that dawned on him, he felt drawn to look at her. As he did, he 
discovered that behind the shroud of insanity that the world saw in 
her, there was a person inside, a person who had wanted to be loved,
and who had wanted to give him her undying devotion, because she 
loved him.


When he discovered this, his mind had deserted him, so he followed
his heart, and he had offered her his, as she had offered her heart
to him, uniting them in a bond more permanent than any shackle.


After that night, they finally got to know one another, becoming
close friends, both of them now knowing they had someone to share
their joy and sorrow with, someone with a shoulder to cry on, someone
to love........


Ranma's train of thought stopped abruptly when he realized that he 
had arrived at the manor gate. As he bounded over the iron bars into
the yard, he realized that he had finally had direction, not dischord
in his life, and that in retrospect, he wouldn't have changed a 
thing.......


**************************************************************************
 Kodachi was sitting at the same spot Ranma left her, and she was 
deep in thought.


Ever since a young age, she had always been shunned by the other 
neighboring girls, even though she always tried to make friends.
She had a loving family, and all of them, especially her mother,
had always tried to be good to her and encourage her to try her best.


She proved to be a child prodigy at gymnastics and botany, and she 
won many awards for her skills. However, even then, she still had no
friends, only rivals.


It got even worse as she grew up. She wasn't the target of jeers or 
insults, but she had never made a lot of friends, and that fact made
her bitter and depressed. And as if some diety was trying to cruelly
punish her, that's when her mother died, a victim of a horrific
car crash.


When this happened, it tore the family stability into shreds. Her 
father, a successful businessman, a widely respected member of Nerima
had been completely solemn at the funeral, and after had gone on a 
business trip, one that lasted three years, and resulted in him 
coming back looking and acting like a Hawaiian native. Her brother,
a talented junior kendoist, he mourned as well, and had taken to his
kendo like an alcoholic takes to drink, and he gradually changed
until he was permantely in the mindset of a medievel samurai.


However, it had hit her hardest, and was morose for weeks, dangling
by a thread on the edges of suicide, spending her waking time outside
of school sobbing over her mother into her pillow.


However, one day, the crying stopped, and could still remember
the day she that she first uttered that keening, unsettling laugh
that had become her battle cry, and on that day, she had thrown her
heart into her two favorite passions, and slowly yet surely, she was
no longer Kodachi, she was the "Black Rose".


Soon after this, she had gone to St. Hebereke, and she soon became
the Martial Arts Rythmic Gymnastics Captain, and her dedication
to her training and her obsessive compulsions had driven her and her
to the position as one of the best gymnasts in all of the high 
schools of Japan.


Despite this success though, she still had nothing else to live for,
and she still felt sad, and at these times, the real Kodachi, the 
hurt and grieving Kodachi came through, and she still despaired
the way her life had dealt her a bad hand.


The, one day, Ranma had entered her life, and she felt like she was
on top of the world. She had instantly fallen in love with him, for
he was everything she wanted, and she immediately sought his 
attentions.


She soon despaired though, when she learned of his engagement
to Akane, and it got even worse when that Chinese girl had entered
the picture. She soon cheered up when she realized that Ranma, 
although trying to honor his arranged engagement to Akane, had not 
returned either Akane or Shampoo's attention, yet despaired anew when
her own efforts had proven vain.


Then, one night, she had a dream, one that had shown her that she 
needed to take a risk to succeed, and she had taken a risk one day,
the day she had kissed her would be iianzuke.


True, on that day, he had not returned her affection, yet she was 
still awed that one night when her efforts had paid off, and he had
given her his own.


Yet, even though her gamble had been successful, she still was sad 
when it seemed all they had to bind them was lust, no love, which
she had freely given to him.


Soon. though, things changed, and her and Ranma became more than two
lovers, as he stayed with her more and more, and his engagement
worsened, and he was always willing to recieve her tenderness,
and would even show her some of his own.


One fateful night, history had changed, and that hole in her heart
had been filled. She had gone to have some more time with her 
Ranma-sama, and she was saddened when she saw him, usually so strong
and brave, was now a former shell of himself, and he had not a soul
in the world to give him solace.


Immediately, her heart had gone out to him, and she held him close
as he cried, wishing for all the world that she could take his pain
away. He cried for what seemed an eternity, then he merely lay in her
arms, neither moving or speaking, but purposely staying in her 
embrace.


Then, in a movement that seemed almost surreal, she was in his arms
and he was staring at her as if he had finally struck gold.


That's when he had given her the most passionate kiss of her life.
In fact, soon after, he said what she longed to hear ever since her
mother's death.


"I love you."


The minute he had said that, she knew her life would be better.......


Her eyes was moist, and she was crying, but yet she still smiled.
She may have been crying, but they were tears of happiness.........


**************************************************************************

Ranma had just climbed back into the window, but was unaware that he
was being watched by an increasingly jealous girl who was spying
on him via a nearby tree.


However, he never noticed any of this, as his attention was on the 
crying Kodachi. Touched, he walked over to her and sat next to her,
somewhat unsure of what to do.


Thankfully, basic instinct took over, and he wrapped his arm around
her and tenatively asked, "Are you okay?"


When Kodachi turned around to face him, he could she that she was 
smiling as she said lovingly, "Not now that I have you, 
Ranma-sama....."


At that moment, they both descended into a long, passionate 
kiss.......


**************************************************************************

Meanwhile, the spy let out an angry yowl, almost like a cat and she
leapt through the window weapons drawn. She landed right in front
of the two lovers and it was apparent that odium was a the ultimate
understatement to describe her anger, and she soon put an exclamation
point on the fact as she lept at Kodachi, yelling,


"SHAMPOO KILL ROSE GIRL FOR TAKING AWAY AIREN!!!!!!!!!"


***************************************************************************

To be continued.........



Author's Notes: Part 4 was a little different from the others for me,
mostly because it forced me to include some backstory, which means
I had to build on the canon somewhat, and I hope that I did a good
job.


Also, I may have take be taking a short break on this series, mostly
so I can catch up on my other works, but I still read the reviews,
and I still accept suggestions ^______^


P.S.- The next part is an action part, so expect some kicking of 
butts and taking of names!!!!!!!! "Kodachi's Gamble"

Part V: "Blackjack"

by Rpgingmaster

Rated Pg-13 (no swearing, but some martial arts actions scenes) 


**************************************************************************

Note: Unlike the previous chapters, this one will be more focused
on martial arts, and this story assumes that both Kodachi and Shampoo
are in top fighting form.

Continues right where Part IV left off.


**************************************************************************

Shampoo was furious, and her undisguised malice was focused on the 
equally odious Kodachi.


As her and Kodachi went on the defensive, she thought about what 
Mousse had been happily screaming about,


"Ranma's in love with Kodachi!"


When she heard that, she instantly thought that Mousse had to be 
kidding. She began to doubt that soon enough, and his continued
exultations did nothing to mollify her.


When she saw her airen and the rose girl kiss, her fury burned hot,
and she swore she would get her revenge.


Just then, she barely was able to to avoid Kodachi's combat ribbon
as she jumped aside. She quickly swung her bonbori, but Kodachi
managed an artful backflip away.


Meanwhile, Ranma stood in the center, watching the fight, yet unable
to decide what to do, so he merely watched the battle unfold, waiting
for the right moment to intervene.


As Ranma watched on, Shampoo kept trying to spilt Kodachi's skull,
but the gymnast proved too fast. Fortunately for Shampoo, she was 
able to pin the Black Rose against the window, and her glee was 
evident as she moved in for the kill.


However, her good fortune was not to be, for as soon as she swung
at Kodachi, that's when Kodachi flipped out the second story window.


***************************************************************************

Ranma felt his heart sink into his stomach, and Shampoo was shocked,
both wondering if Kodachi was alright.


Just then, they looked out the window, and both could see Kodachi
in a fighter's stance on the ground, leering up at the Amazon, as if
to say,

"Bring it on...."


***************************************************************************

Shampoo, in a blindingly quick instant, jumped out the window, and 
landed in a perfect fighter's stance. 


As Shampoo rose, she felt Kodachi's combat ribbon score a stinging
blow across her cheek, and she could hear Kodachi's smug laughter
as she brought a hand up to the sore spot on her face.


However, Kodachi's smugness evaporated when she saw that Shampoo's
already tenous grip on her rage had finally boiled over. 


***************************************************************************

Just then, Shampoo went on the attack. Kodachi was able to block,
parry, and dodge successfully, but Shampoo showed no sign of slowing,
and Ranma wondered what exactly was the Amazon up to.


Suddenly, it hit him like a two ton anvil, and he prayed that Kodachi
would figure out Shampoo's plan as well.....


***************************************************************************

Kodachi was getting tired, but her enraged opponent showed no signs
of fatigue as she swung her maces at Kodachi's face.


Kodachi blocked again, but she realized that no fighter could 
maintain a defense forever, and that Shampoo was doing quite an 
effective job wearing down her's.


She then jumped back to dodge another attack, but she then realized
that she was trapped against a wall, and she could discern no means
of escape.


Just then, she felt pain as Shampoo rammed the handle of her bonbori
into her gut.....


***************************************************************************

At that point, Ranma wanted to interfere, but he knew the unbreakable
rule of the warrior's code:

"Never interrupt a duel between opponents"

When that knowlege came to him, he continued to watch and prayed
that Kodachi could hold her own......


***************************************************************************

As Kodachi felt the mace handle hit her abdomen, it seemed to ignite
a fire in her belly, and that when she acquired her second wind.


Meanwhile, Shampoo was about to administer another such attack,
but then she felt a sharp *CRACK* as Kodachi's ribbon deftly disarmed
her.


Shampoo moved to rearm herself, but then she saw stars as one of 
Kodachi's batons made stars echo inside her skull....


***************************************************************************

Streaks of pain striated Shampoo's skull, and she instinctively
threw her arms up in an effective counterattack, managing to deflect
the next blow.


However, she was still disoriented, and Kodachi took the advantage,
doing her best to incapacitate her weakened, yet still strong 
foe.......


***************************************************************************

As Shampoo collasped into a drained heap, Kodachi stood over her and
said quietly,

"Do you submit?"

No answer. Kodachi leaned closer, figuring that Shampoo's voice was
too weak to reply.

That was a mistake.

Suddenly, new life seemed to course through the Amazon's veins, and
she nailed Kodachi with a vicious tackle.......


***************************************************************************

Kodachi had been so surprised by Shampoo's own second wind, she was
unable to even throw a weak block as she was piledriven into the 
ground.


In fact, she didn't even hit the ground completely before Shampoo
gave her a solid right cross to the chin, sending her body flying
even further.


She landed with a quite audible thump, and that when Shampoo threw
all aspects of honorable combat aside and started fighting dirty,
kicking and lashing at Kodachi, never allowing her time to recover
as she dished out more rage fueled pain......


**************************************************************************

Ranma's silent and concerned vigil soon turned to shocked horror.


This battle was no longer a duel between martial artists, now it a 
one sided slaughter, and the woman he loved was losing.


Just then, he was momentarily relieved when Shampoo stopped wailing
on Kodachi, but his heart soon sank when he saw Shampoo pick up her
mace, and prepared to give Kodachi the killing blow......


***************************************************************************

Shampoo was beyond reason now, her one goal being to utterly destroy
her devastated opponent, and she slowly raised her mace so she could
bring it down on Kodachi's neck.....


Suddenly, she felt her weapon being kicked out of her hands, and then
a strong arm raised her a foot off the ground by her collar, and her
eyes widened with frightened surprised when she saw the angered
face of her would be iianzuke, Ranma Saotome.......


***************************************************************************

He held her up with one hand, while his other barely restrained
a massive fireball of ki energy, and he gave her a glare composed
of pure odium as he said,

" You make me sick. "

He could see her face twist into a shocked and hurt expression,
but he didn't care as he continued,

" I could never marry you, and would not, even if you had beaten
Kodachi in a fair fight. I love her, Shampoo, with all my heart,
and there is NOTHING you can do to change that....."


He then gritted his teeth, and he centered his feet so he could hold
the massive orb of crackling power back. Once he had finally managed
that, he continued,

" I will give you one chance to leave my life and Kodachi's forever,
and if you do not.........", and that's when he held the fireball
close to her, so she could sense it's heat and power......


**************************************************************************

By now, Shampoo, a proud Amazon warrior, was now legitimately
terrified for her continued existance, and she quickly quickly made
the most painful decision of her life,

" S-Sh-Shampoo l-l-leave.....airen.........forever........"

With that said, Ranma's anger cooled, and the built up energy he had
accumulated into the death orb slowly dissipated. He then turned,
and focused his attentions on the fallen Kodachi.


However, unbeknowenst to him, Shampoo took one last look at Ranma,
and then she left, unable to stop the shameful tears as she left the
man she loved......forever........


***************************************************************************

Ranma headed over to Kodachi, and his heart nearly broke when he saw
her condition. She had various bruises, most of them large and ugly,
an unmistakable testament to the crucible she had survived.

He couldn't detect any broken bones, so he gently gathered her up 
into his arms and carried her insides, thanking the heavens that she
was alive.............

To be continued in Part VI  "Jackpot"


***************************************************************************

Author's Notes:  This chapter is different than the others for three
reasons:

1. This is a fight between two women who love the same man, and 
instead of having a knockdown dragout brawl, I wanted to capture
the angst in a somewhat more tasteful form, so that's why they had a 
martial arts duel.

2. Unlike the previous chapters, this one is better written, and I 
must given proper credence to my 12th grade English teacher. While
I do not agree with her strict moral stance and her condemnation
of my more offensive works, I must admit that her suggestions
have contributed greatly to the refining of my writing, and the 
perfection of my rather clumsy grammer. Thank you for your 
contributions, I really needed it. ^____^

3. I usually write in the Comedy, Romance, and Hentai genres, and 
this is my first foray into Action/Adventure/Martial
Arts, and I am praying that I got it right.........

4. Also, the previous chapters had such things as mild sexual content
and expletetives, and even though that content fit ( hey, it's an 
angsty romance story) in the earlier chapters, I found that it would
only be applicable in this chapter for marquee value, and I'm not one
to cheapen my writing like that, and since I do possess some 
conscience, I decided that it was time to exercise some moral 
restraint.


Kodachi's Gamble

"Jackpot"

by Rpgingmaster

Email compliments\criticism to:

rpgingmaster2003@yahoo.com

Rated PG-13


***************************************************************************

Note: This chapter is will be describing a wedding, and if I somehow
get something wrong, I will accept any and all critiques.

This is set about two weeks after Part V.


***************************************************************************

Ranma slowly opened the door to Kodachi's room and looked inside.


His spirits rose when he saw that sge was feeling better, able to sit
up. He could see a smile on her face face as he went over to her.


He sat beside her and gave her a gentle hug, so as to avoid hurting
her already frail body further.


He was surprised that she had the strength to return his embrace,
but he released the internal breath he had been holding as he 
realized that she was feeling stronger.


He soon released the hug, yet sat next to her; neither speaking,
just silently enjoying each other's company.


Suddenly, Ranma hopped off the bed and bent down on one knee. He 
clasped her delicate hand in his as he fished a small ring box out of
his pocket and quitely asked,

" Kodachi....will you marry me? "

As he said it, a hush fell over the room, a quiet that seemed to stop
time.


Then, he felt her hand pull him closer to her, and through tears of 
happiness, she said,

" Yes Ranma-sama, I will marry you. "

Then, the incredible happened. Ranma, who was happy and exultant
beyond words, suddenly felt very lightheaded, and Kodachi couldn't
resist a laugh as he passed out with a huge smile on his face......


*************************************************************************
About a week later....... 
*************************************************************************

The chapel looked beautiful, a delicate and successful blend of a 
Japanese Shinto temple and a Western wedding chapel.


Strands of garlaned red and white roses lined the walk to the 
altar,proving a colorful contrast to the dark mahogany wood that made
up the walls and floors, giving the room the appearance of a festive
temple, dedicated to the service of unifying mere mortals in the 
unbreakable bonds of love.


However, one of the people was too nervous to care, as he was 
currently looking through a small window in the door of the chapel,
seeing which guests had arrived.


Ranma saw that most of his schoolmates had shown up, as had the 
principal, his soon to be father-in-law, who for once wasn't in a 
Hawaiian shirt and shorts.


He then saw his mother, and that's when his heart melted in happiness
when he saw an ear to ear smile on her face.


Just then, he heard the wedding music begin. He swallowed the lump
in his throat, and quickly adjusted his collar. Once that was over,
he plstered a brave smile on his face as he opened the door.


As he appeared, he felt all eyes in the room turn to him, and that's
when his faked bravado started to disappear, as a warm blush covered
his cheeks.


Then, he heard the door open again, and that's when Kodachi, in an 
elegant white wedding dress, appeared next him, and her brother
Tatewaki was now in atuxedo, and was serving as the best man.


As Kodachi stood next to him, he felt his nervousness start to 
disappear. He took her hand in his, and they made their way to the 
minister. 


As they arrived, the music stopped, and that's when the minister
cleared his throat and began,

" Dearly beloved, we are here to witness the joining of Ranma Saotome
and Kodachi Kuno in the holy bonds of matrimony. "

He then paused, then looked at Ranma and continued,

" Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and
to hold, for richer or for poorer, in good times and in bad times,
for as long as you both shall live?

Without hesitation, Ranma replied, 

" I do."

Then, he turned his attention to Kodachi, and said,

" Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have
and to hold, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,
in good times and in bad times, for as long as you both shall live?
"

Like Ranma, she didn't hesitate as she replied,

" I do."

The minister allowed himself a small smile, then he waited patiently
while Sasuke, the Kuno servant, brought the rings. His smile got 
wider as he saw Ranma slip one of the rings on Kodachi's finger,
and she slipped the other on his.


Once that was concluded, he said,

" By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may 
now kiss the bride."

As he finished, Ranma and Kodachi turned to face one another, and 
then a collective hush broke out over the room as they kissed.


As they kissed, a standing ovation spontaneously broke out as every
guest clapped in appreciation, and that's when the cameraman filming
the wedding suddenly burst into happy tears.


As they finished their kiss, the happy couple found themselves
showered with rice as they left the chapel.


Everyone waved as the two lovebirds climbed into a waiting limousine,
and that's when the sun set, as if blessing the happy couple.........

The End..... 


Author's Notes: When I began work on the first chapter, "Rolling
the Dice", my original intent was to write an R rated piece where
Kodachi seduces Ranma, and scenes from a steamy romance novel would
occur, and that how she would win him over.


However, my conscience kicked me in the butt, and I decided to try my
noble best to write a fairly clean romance series, and aside from a 
few choice words and some passionate kissing scenes, I managed to 
pull this story off on a sappy note.


At present, I am planning an epilouge called "Trump Card", and the 
jury is still out on how it will turn out.


Anyway, I would like to thank some people for their help: 
----------------------------------------------------------

The Lord God Almighty- For his divine wisdom, and granting me the 
sanity needed to complete this.      ^____^

Mom- For her kindness and inspiration.

Me- For writing this.

My Internet faithful: For not pelting me with rotten fruit for the 
1st draft of Part III (it's fixed now)


And to anyone who likes this story, my personal thanks to 
you!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.- If anyone has written a good Ranma\Kodachi lemon, I would be 
interested in reading it.
"Kodachi's Gamble Epilouge"


by Rpgingmaster


"Trump Card"


Rated NC-17 

(note that while most of this story is clean, it does contain lemon, so 
viewer discretion is advised, and if you are underage, or are anal-retentive,
I suggest you leave now, for I am not legally responsible for your actions 
if you ignore this disclaimer)

Note 2: In order for this story to make sense, it is required that you read
"Kodachi's Gamble" first.

**************************************************************************

Note: This is set about five years after the events of "Kodachi's Gamble"

**************************************************************************

As Ranma lay next to his wife, he decided that life, as it stood, was good, 
and just seeing her smile made his day better. In fact, as she smiled, it 
seemed to him that if any black roses had wilted when she entered the room, 
they were tall and vibrant when she left.


Now, as he kissed her, he realized in an ironic way, he was making his 
particular rose vibrant, and as their clothes came off, he realized that 
she was in still in full bloom, and as held and caressed each other, he 
could see her lower petals had unfurled.


He dipped lower, down to where his mouth was at her entrance, and as his 
tongue danced inside her folds, he smiled as her honey like nectar created 
an almost overpowering musk that seemed to drive out all distractions as 
his body went to work on pleasuring her.


Soon, he heard her pitch rise as she climaxed, and as he lapped up her 
nectar, he then knew what he needed to do next.


He shimmied upwards, until he was poised at her entrance, and after a 
moment, he entered, filling her inner corridors with his asoko.


As he did, he heard her gasp suddenly as the fullness temporarily took her 
breath away, but that was but momentary as they both quickly found their 
rhythm, and soon both were interlocked, their bodies encircling each other 
in a loving embrace as their bodies became one.


Suddenly, the climax both had been working towards finally occurred, and 
they held each other close as their reproductive seed mingled. As they lay 
there, enjoying the afterglow, they lay together holding each other close.


Soon, fatigue set in, and as Ranma fell asleep, Kodachi thought to herself 
as she remembered the dream that had led up to the moment,

"If love is the trump card that binds us, I'm glad it's in the deck......"

***************************************************************************

The next morning.......

***************************************************************************

It was a nice spring morning, and as Ranma woke up, he felt something warm.


He looked to his side, and he saw Kodachi sleeping peacefully in the crook 
of his arm. Gently, he reached over and tapped her shoulder.


She awoke, apparently with a mild touch of residual sleepiness. However, 
a warm kiss soon energized her.


As both were fully awake, they held each other close, and just before they 
could continue the ministrations of the night before, their stomachs 
rumbled, and both realized that they'd need their energy.


Sighing, they both rolled out of their bed, and it was somewhat comical to 
watch as they tried to recover their far flung underwear, which had attained
frequent flyer status the previous night.


Soon, they found not only that, but as they slipped into their yukata, they 
found their hands were intertwined, and that's how they stayed as they 
headed down to the Kuno living room.


When they got there, they found Nabiki, Tatewaki, Akane, Ryouga, Kasumi, 
Tofu, Genma, Soun, Nodoka, and Hinako. As Ranma sat down next to his wife, 
he looked around at all the people present, and he reflected on how it all 
became possible.


First, soon after the wedding, he had finally shown his mother his curse, 
and he had made his father admit his own dishonor, and both were sweating 
bullets, praying that they wouldn't wind up dead.


To their pleased surprise, they both found themselves on the receiving end 
of a huge glomp, and through tears Nodoka told them that the promise they 
had made ten years ago no longer mattered, she was just happy to have her 
family back, and after that, Ranma offered to have both of his parents live 
at the Kuno mansion, and they accepted in a heartbeat. Now, with his 
mother's stern influence, his father had started sparring more seriously 
again, and now his mother and Tatewaki taught the Kendo portion of 
Anything Goes Martial Arts.


Next, were Soun and Hinako. Soon after he and Kodachi married, Soun had been
distraught and almost near suicide, upset beyond measure that his family 
line could not continue. Ms.Hinako, who had always found him attractive, 
had instantly moved in, and with the help of his daughters, she had helped 
him overcome his depression, and, in gratitude, he had married her, and 
her curse was now cured, and Ms. Hinako could now control her child-adult 
transformations, and her and Soun had integrated her ki draining techniques 
into Anything Goes, and now with their daily sparring, they were quite the 
deadly duo. Ranma also had propsed that they stay at the Kuno mansion as 
well, and with Nabiki's business savvy, the dojo was expanded and now was 
quite prosperous, and even though the Tendo household had to be demolished 
in the expansion, it seemed to be a wise choice, especially because the 
almost daily beatings the old framework took from Ranma and Akane's brawls 
was about to collaspe anyway, and faced with that fact, Soun was more than 
happy to relocate, while still teaching the Art in the newly expanded dojo.


After them were Ryouga and Akane. After he had made final his decision to 
marry Kodachi, it seemed that Akane had always liked Ryouga, and ever since 
their marriage, Ryouga and her had grown close, and they had happily married,
and with Ryouga's help, they were the best kempo masters of the school. It 
was noted that soon after he married Akane, his directional sense improved 
drastically, and now Ryouga could home in on Akane like she had a tracking 
biochip attached.


Also, almost simulataneously with Akane, Nabiki had finally wormed her way 
into Kuno's heart. In fact, both had been attracted to each other for a 
long time, it was just her fear of committment, and his losing battle to 
win Akane's heart that had kept them apart. However, when Nabiki saw the 
happiness of the other's, and Kuno finally realized he would never win 
Akane's heart, the two had bonded instantly, and with his speaking skills, 
and her business smarts, they both were able to found a very prosperous 
banking and loan business. Also, with Kuno's urging, Nabiki had taken up 
kendo herself, and even though Nabiki said she wasn't a fighter, it was 
hard to believe, especially when watching the two of them spar.


As he finished his reflections, he then realized that half of his pancakes 
had wound up on his father's plate. Ranma, per usual, had his usual 
"food war" with Genma, much to the amusement of all present.


Soon, however, breakfast concluded, and each person there headed off to 
the dojo.

**************************************************************************

It was a fine Nerima afternoon, and Ranma was justifiably exhausted.


He had just sparred with his wife to show the students what a serious 
martial arts battle was, and even he, pretty much the reigning grandmaster 
of Anything Goes, had to be impressed with Kodachi's improvement.


When he first met her, she wasn't bad at martial arts, she just was poor at 
unarmed combat, and with out a weapon, she was terrible in defense and 
offfense. Thankfully, due to an intense training regimin he had set up 
just for her, she was pretty much almost equal to him now in terms of 
skill, and her  frame, although still possessing it's natural curviness, 
had attained a certain degree of muscle.


However, all he was concerned about now was toweling off the sweat on his 
brow before he started treading water, but he realized that he had a 
competition to finish, and the classic Saotome pride also demanded that 
he didn't look like crap in front of his students.


Soon, the battle had concluded, and Ranma and Kodachi bowed to each other, 
and that when he declared class dismissed. As the students filed out, he 
plopped down on a nearby bench, showing for the first time signs of fatigue.


Just then, he felt his wife hands massaging his stiff shoulders, and he 
all but groaned pleasurably as he felt his tension go away. This was 
continued for several more minutes, that is until he rose to his
feet, ready to get some lunch.


Before he did, he turned, held Kodachi close, and gave her a kiss. This 
was but momentary, as a large *GROWL* from his gut area ruined the moment, 
but the gesture was not wasted, as they left the room arm in arm.

***************************************************************************

It was evening at the Saotome\Kuno mansion, and Ranma was in the bathroom, 
sharing a hot bath with his wife, and as he scrubbed her back, he wondered 
why the hell he had been so reluctant to declare his undying devotion to 
her five years ago. However, his time to think was cut short, thanks be to 
the fact that Kodachi was now snoring peacefully against his chest.


He couldn't resist a laugh as he gently woke her, and they quickly climbed 
out of the furo. As they left, they both realized they had to do some 
personal grooming.


Ranma filled a basin with some water and sat next his wife and began to 
help her with her task. Thanks to a lot of practice, he quickly was able to 
leave her legs and sex perfectly bare, no hint of stubble anywhere. As he 
finished, he moved to pick up the used water and chuck it into the sink.


Suddenly, his thumbs gave way, and the water splashed over him, turning him 
from bishounen to bishoujo. Instantly, she went for the hot water tap, but 
relented when she felt Kodachi's breasts press against her own. 


Ever since Kodachi had found out about his curse, Ranma was surprised that 
she showed him the same affection as she did her male half, and not only 
that, was more than willing to be intimate with his female side, and Ranma 
never discouraged her. In fact, she also enjoyed their yuri contact, and 
Ranma couldn't help but appreciate that little bit of hentai in her wife.


Just then, Kodachi, although still holding her close, picked some spare 
bathrobes and motioned for their bed. Ranma quickly complied, and they 
slipped on the yukata and quickly scooted across the hall to their room, 
which she quickly locked.


Once they were inside, they fell on the bed, kissing passionetely, and 
Ranma, although this not being her first time having yuri sex, still 
couldn't ignore how strange and pleasurable kissing another girl was.


In fact, their kissing soon transformed into something a lot more ecchi, 
and Ranma wrapped her legs aroung Kodachi as Kodachi started to eat her 
out. Ranma, unable to do more but enjoy herself, laid back and writhed in 
ecstasy as Kodachi returned the previous night's favor........

**************************************************************************

It was a few hours later when they finished, and both Ranma and Kodachi 
were exhausted. They really wanted to cuddle and snuggle, per usual, but 
a cursory look at the clock made that impractical, unless they wanted to 
sleep through lunch the next day.

However, that didn't stop them from getting comfortable in each other arms, 
and as they went to sleep, a mutual resounded in their heads:


For most, it would be the end of another day. For them, it was the end 
of one day in a very long and happy life, one that they would face.


Together.


THE END..........

*************************************************************************

Author's Notes: When I wrote this epilouge, I wanted to add a little more 
closure to my story "Kodachi's Gamble". Also, I'm a closet romantic, 
so that why it's so WAFF. 

In addition, the reason it had lemon scenes is because:

A- I was trying to display the closeness of Ranma and Kodachi. I'm not 
married (thank God), but I'm guessing that it hard to keep a vigorous sex 
life going if your marriage is going down the crapper, and it merely put 
an exclamation point on their love.

**************************************************************************
Thanks to
**************************************************************************

Mom- For inspiration

Me- For writing this

My fans- If any exist, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!!!!   ^_^

Rakhal- For hosting "Kodachi's Gamble on his site.

My detractors and certain bible thumping prudes- For inspiring me not 
to quit writing.

And, to everyone:

HAVE A NICE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!