A woman was lying on a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. *I'm dying.* she thought. She was not afraid to die. She had lead a very joyous and though short, a fulfilled life. Tendou Kimiko had married the man she loved and had given birth to three very lovely daughters. What more could she ask for except maybe to see them grow up and get married themselves.

From the corner of her eyes, she thought she saw a sparkle. Turning her head, she noticed a young man wearing a flowing whirt shirt with matching pants, embroidered with gold and silver thread.

"Tendou Kimiko?" the young man asked.

"Yes. Is it time for me to go?" she asked. *Please Lord, give me more time. I still want to say farewell to my family.*

Laughing, "No, It's not your time yet and I promise that you will have time to say farewell to your family." the young man in front of her responded.

"Nani?" Kimiko asked.

"For the duration of this meeting, I am allowed to read your mind." Shaking his head as if remembering something, "Forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ranma, the God of Destiny and Change." Having said this, the young man in front of Kimiko bowed. "I'm here to grant you a wish, any wish you desire."

*What a very mature young man,* Kimiko thought, missing the sudden smile that appeared on Ranma's face at the compliment.

*Young she says,* Ranma thought.

Without thinking, "I wish one my daughters could marry someone like you," Kimiko wished.

The symbols on Ranma's brow started to shine as he started to float into the air. A bright light suddenly descended upon him as he rose higher into the air. As fast as the light appeared, it faded and Ranma was again standing on his feet. Looking at Kimiko, "Your wish has been approved. Upon the day your youngest daughter turns 18, your wish shall be fulfilled or voided by any member of your family."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AKANE!" everyone shouted. Today was Akane's 18th birthday. Surrounding her were friends and rivals. Nothing was going to spoil this day, except maybe what she was seeing. Off to one corner, Shampoo and Ukyou were fighting over Ranma. *This is my birthday! How dare he flirt with them.* Rushing Ranma with her mallet, "I wish I was never engaged to you, Ranma!" she shouted in anger.

Suddenly a symbol appeared on Ranma's forehead and tear shapes on his cheeks. His clothes shifted and transformed. Blinking, everyone could see that he was not wearing his traditional red shirt and black pants. In their place was a flowing white shirt and pants. Everyone could sense an aura of peace eminating from him. His usual arrogant expression was replaced with a more mature one. In a whisper that everyone could hear, "Contract broken." Turning his head towards Soun, "Tendou Soun, I am the God of Destiny and Goddess of Change. 14 years ago, Tendou Kimiko, your wife, was given a wish. She wished for one of her daughters to have a husband like me. Since Kami-sama decided that no two people will ever be alike, I was engaged to one of your daughters on that day. On Tendou's Akane's 18th birthday, a member of Kimiko's family wished that contract broken and I have granted it. Farewell." Slipping from Shampoo and Ukyou's grasp, Ranma caught a beam of sunlight and disappeared.

Skuld was on her computer when a message suddenly flashed on her screen. Reading it, Skuld got really excited. "Oneesan, Oniisan is coming home!!"

To be continued.

• On to Lei's Return Part 1
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