Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2 or any other crossover characters. They are owned by there respective owners. Not out to make any money or fame on others work.

This is a collection of fic's I was able to save of a web archive that has shut down recently. Some had been edited so my text reader would work better. So original authors and extra stuff was removed from the fic .

On the ones that have not been edited I will be editing them so the original authors will get credited for their parts. Also if you have the parts that I'm missing let me know in a PM will edit them in. Same with other fic's if you have them will post for others to be able to read.

Ifurita 1.5:

With his life, you'd expect less skepticism. [Episode 67523]

by Kestral

Nabiki stared at the girl floating above their pond. "An android?"

"Yes, essentially," agreed Ifurita.

"You mugged the Bakarou Street Boys for Kasumi's birthday present, Ryoga challenged you to get a better present than he did, you went to a strange store and got Kasumi an android however the contract states that you're actually the owner, it's just a 'conditional user' clause for you to loan Ifurita to Kasumi," said Nabiki, going over what she felt were the salient points of the story.

Ranma nodded.

"Hmmmph. I don't know why you'd make up stories like that just to hang around with some new girl," declared Akane, turning her back on her fiancé to show her disinterest.

"uncute tomboy," grumbled Ranma, a bit louder than he actually intended.

"What was that? Would you care to repeat that?!"

"Excuse me. Why not just show them the store?" Ifurita asked. "It might simplify matters."

"That's a good idea, and when this store fails to materialize you can tell us what's really going on, Saotome," said Nabiki with a smirk.

Of course, on the way they ran into Shampoo. And Ukyo. Followed by Kodachi. Tatewaki. Yuka and Sayuri saw Akane and got to talking with her about yet another lame story by Ranma.

Ifurita 1.5: Cyberdyne Cafe [Episode 67928]

by Kestral

Ranma found the store, entered and turned to those who had expressed doubt. "SEE! I TOLDJA!"

Of course no one from Akane to Ukyo was paying any attention to him as they stared around them. Even P-chan nestled in Akane's arms, his head poking up between her breasts, stared.

The tiny storefront had expanded out into a huge showroom, brightly lit and spotlessly clean - all white plastic and chrome and glass.

Completely lifelike maids in uniforms that ranged from practical to near-indecent. (Hey, some androids would do darn near anything to get off the shelf.)

Girls in swimsuits and leotards and seifuku and various uniforms. Animals ranging from cute little terrier dogs to a fully grown white lion.

All looking asleep, all hovering slightly over their pedestals, all turning slowly.

The shocked Nerima residents were slightly jarred out of this as music began to play from a backroom.

"Bwahahahahahahahahaha... Wipeout."

The room turned out to be a lounge with a lot of women and animals. Two women in bikinis danced on the stage while Rei Ayanami played the drums and Asuka Langley Soryuu played an electric guitar.

"It's just a white slaver operation?" suggested Nabiki, not wanting to face the idea that Ranma was right.

The next door displaced that notion a little. A catwalk led out over a huge pit that turned out to be a hangar filled with giant robots.

Ifurita 1.5: Talking To Help [Episode 67930]

by Kender

"Excuse me. Are you looking for something in particular?" came a voice that Ranma recognised.

The pigtailed boy perked up and turned to the approaching salesgirl. "Hiya Kumiko."

"Oh, Mister Saotome. You've returned to us."

"Well... yeah..."

"Did you wish to buy another android, or is there some sort of problem between you and Ifurita?"

"No problems really. Everyone just didn't believe me so I sorta..," he said as he gestured at the crowd that he'd brought with him.

"I see..."

Nabiki arched a brow. "So, you're telling us that this is all for real? That you're selling 'androids'?"

"Um..," went Ukyo, "Isn't that like... not possible?"

"As you can see, it is quite possible, and we have traveled further than any one you might know. So our technology is more advanced than most things on this planet."

"I dunno 'bout that sort of stuff," Ranma said with a shrug, "But I figure that you've got ta know your stuff."

"So you're pleased with your purchase."

"Seems ta be workin' out so far, even if I keep on forgettin' that she's a robot."

As Ifurita smiled at his admission, Kumiko turned to the other Nerima residents. "And what about the rest of you? Anyone want to try buying an android of your own."

Ifurita 1.5: Nostalgic Cologne? [Episode 68017]

by Kestral

Kumiko took the group back to the front. "Matriarch Cologne, what kind of android are you looking for?"

"Well, the business at the restaurant has been good. I often have Shampoo acting waitress and delivery girl, while Mousse often fails miserably at his part time tasks bussing tables and such," speculated the matriarch aloud. "Perhaps a Yorkshire Terrier."

Kumiko nodded. "Just a moment." A spray of light from one upturned hand displayed a hologram of a small white dog. "Something like this?"

Cologne nodded. "I had a similar dog around the turn of the century. He was a good doggie. Can he speak?"

"A voice module can be added," agreed Kumiko. "You are aware that as a small dog, the amount of duties that could be performed at a restaurant would be quite small."

"Oh. That was unrelated, dearie, I was just feeling nostalgic for an old friend I haven't seen in quite a long time," said Cologne, smiling at the image of the dog. "A handy little fellow. Kept the birds off the crops. Always a smile and happy to see me, never any disrespect, always willing to try even if he didn't understand what to do..."

The rest of the Nerima contingent spent time gawking at the hologram the clerk was maintaining, or at Cologne of all people getting misty eyed and nostalgic, or both.

"Well, if you have crops to maintain - this model can do that and more. One of our pseudo-organic models using technology similar to Ifurita. Not as much use in a restaurant, of course." Kumiko paused. "Just a moment please."

The Nerima contingent stared a little more as a section of skin disengaged from the clerk's forearm, revealing a section of metal and tubing.

"Security. The tall male with the bokken is on the hangar floor attempting to to attack the Gundam units. As he is attempting to damage merchandise please place him in a holding cell. Thank you."

"So you're a... robot?" Akane asked.

"Android is a common and more descriptive term, marionette or cyberdoll might be more appro," said Kumiko. "Robot is usually used to refer to nonhumanoid and more simple devices. Ah, they've caught him."

Ranma looked down over the railing as a rampaging kendoist was dogpiled, as he fought back, was overwhelmed, and hauled off to a side-room. There was something just overwhelmingly satisfying about seeing security forces hogtie and haul Kuno off.

"So you sell giant robots, as well as marionette units like yourself," said Cologne speculatively. "What about..."

Ifurita 1.5: Amazon Defense [Episode 68226]

by Kender

"So you sell giant robots, as well as marionette units like yourself," said Cologne speculatively. "What about... something that could defend a helpless village?"

"Oh, we could have many units that could possibly fit that sort of role," Kumiko replied.

"You do? That is very welcome news."

Nabiki blinked. "Wait a moment here. What 'helpless village'?"

"Why, Shampoo and mine, of course."

"Since when has that place been 'helpless'?" Ranma asked with a snort.

"He does have a point," the middle Tendo agreed reluctantly, "amazing as that might seem."

"See? Wait a sec..."

"Anyway, what happened to the village with the 'three thousand years of Amazon history'? What, did you all suddenly forget all your fighting secrets?"

The Matriarch smiled and shook her head. "Hardly. But I have not been in the outside world for such a little time that I could miss some of the possible dangers. Like weapons that can be fired from a great distance and still hit accurately or a man-made plague that our healers had never seen and so much more. That is not counting the sort of thing that would merit the amount of strength that some of these have. Besides, even in a normal fight, this would give us options that we wouldn't have otherwise."

"Ah... so that's why you want one for yourself."

"Partly. On the other hand, having a being that could think for itself would be something that we could respect. Unlike those from Son-in-law's new friend's story."

The salesgirl perked up at that. "You could respect one of us?"

"Of course child. It would be foolish not to. First off, to annoy someone who is supposed to be protecting you is silly. But the major thing is... We really don't care for such foolish whining about where a person came from."

"Well then, I suppose that I can help you there. I think that the best for you would be:

an android."

Ifurita 1.5: Hey, where'd Nabiki sneak off to? [Episode 68309]

by Kestrel

"Of course child. It would be foolish not to. First off, to annoy someone who is supposed to be protecting you is silly. But the major thing is... We really don't care for such foolish whining about where a person came from."

Kumiko nodded. "Well then, I suppose that I can help you there. I think that the best for you would be one of -"

"EXCUSE ME?!" Akane bellowed. "Kiss of death. Kiss of marriage. Obstacle is for killing?!"

"Miss Tendo, you have been given the Kiss Of Death how many times?" Cologne asked, focussing on Akane with a particular intensity.

"Uhm, twice..." Akane asked, stepping back, wondering if she was going to be tossed out into what looked like a very long drop.

"Are you still alive?" Cologne asked.

"Uhm, yes," said Akane, beginning to wonder where this is going.

"Ranma," said Cologne, switching that gaze to Ranma. "What was the reaction in the village when Shampoo gave you the Kiss Of Death."

Ranma thought back. "Hey, they were kinda surprised."

Cologne nodded. "And when you turned tail and ran from the village what was the reaction?"

Ranma scratched his head. "Uhm, I dunno, I was kinda busy escaping."

"Did anyone try to stop you or get in your way?" Cologne asked. "Or did they stand around gaping?"

"Uhm, the last one I guess," said Ranma, not having a clue what was going on.

Cologne nodded again. "How many times did Shampoo sink a spear, arrow, thrown axe, or throwing knife in your backpack?"

"Couple dozen times, I guess," said Ranma.

Cologne turned back to Akane. "I've said too much already, but you might want to consider that not everything you think you know about Amazon Law is exactly what you think."

Kumiko followed the exchange effortlessly, and gestured towards a touch screen computer. "If you can specify the sort of village the unit will be protecting, and what you know of the potential menaces, we can determine what sort of unit would be the best match."

The rest of the Nerima crew watched Cologne pogo-stick her cane over to the terminal.

Ranma scratched his head again. "Did I miss something?"

P-Chan looked around from where he was being carried in Akane's arms and wondered how the heck he was going to beat Ranma's present NOW.

Kasumi hesitated as she stepped up to the girl who she was the primary operator (not owner) of. "Excuse me?"

"Yes, Kasumi Tendo?" Ifurita asked pleasantly.

"I'm your 'operator'?" Kasumi asked.

"That is correct. I am to assist you in housework and other domestic duties," stated Ifurita.

"You're an android?" Kasumi asked.

"Yes, that is essentially correct," agreed Ifurita. "Cyberdyne repaired my systems after salvaging me."

The little tour group had come to a halt to listen to this exchange.

"I see..." Kasumi said, wondering what she was to do in this situation.

"Well, I've got a question," said Yuka, holding one hand up. "Can you do Rocket Punch?"

"Possibly, it would depend on what 'Rocket Punch' entails," said Ifurita.

"Ifurita is a fully functional Ifurita unit from a world called 'El Hazard'," explained Kumiko. "A number of ancient civilizations had them, similar to nuclear weapons in this world."

"She's a nuke?" Akane asked, eyes widening slightly.

"No, she's..." Kumiko stopped as Ifurita raised her own hand.

"I'm what you might call a 'Weapon Of Mass Destruction', it was my task to be activated and then to fly to an enemy installation - destroy it - and return to my Controller." Ifurita shook her head. "I am so very glad that this is not the duty that I am returning to."

"'Enemy installation' like tanks?" Akane asked.

"Cities," corrected Ifurita growing visibly more saddened and upset. "Resorts, military targets, hospitals, manufacturing depots, hot springs... They'd give me an order and I had to obey... I had to..."

Ranma looked surprised as the android hugged him and started crying again.

Kumiko took up the narrative again, deflecting attention away from the two while Ifurita tried to regain composure. "Ifurita -19. She's artificial cloned tissue, state of the art for old El Hazard, bioenhanced near-human. She and several others ended up with a major conflict developing. They had to obey orders but a number of them came to identify with their human targets. Eventually that conflict caused their combat performance to collapse and they were shot down or otherwise disabled on the battlefield."

"So no 'Rocket Punch'," concluded Yuka.

"That would depend on the nature of the attack," said Ifurita as she regained control. "My series was designed to duplicate any attack used against us."

Ranma blinked at that and began to smile. "Ya get someone to hit you with their attack so ya can duplicate it or come up with a defense against it? That's what I do!"

"Those sparring sessions should be quite interesting then," summed up Kumiko.

"Wait a minute," said Shampoo as she made a show of peering around. "Where Sneaky Mercenary Girl go?"

"Uh oh," said Ranma.

Ifurita 1.5: Falling Danger [Episode 73806]

by Kender

In Nabiki's experience, she had come across superpowered martial artists, magical items and the occasional supernatural being. What she might have dismissed before the arrival of a certain pigtailed martial artist, she now accepted. Her life had become filled with insanity and the occassional absurd event, but she dealt with it the best that she could, and made herself a few yen at the same time.

But technology out of a sci-fi movie was something that she had a hard time swallowing. So she had set out to find some sort of proof that it wasn't real, that it was a hoax and something was going on. To do that, she had found a door that she could open and sneak into so that she might be able to find out something useful.

What she found had awed her, as it looked to be a chasm that went to darkness below. In front of her was a humanoid form, made of metal, colorfully painted and looking like it could be tough to fight, with more to either side of it. All around her, it looked like some sort of hanger for these machines.

However, she firmed her resolve and decided to disprove the idea that this was real. After all, who could build such things and in the middle of Tokyo to boot. Giant ghost cats and mirrors that allowed one to travel through time were something she could almost expect. But manshaped machines the size of buildings were not.

Running on the assumption that it was merely a painting or something, she stepped to the edge and went to put her foot down on the 'empty space', so that she could prove that it was an optical illusion. There was some hesitation as a part of her mind told her that it could be real. But she held firm, and cautiously tried to test her theory.

And slipped off the edge, and down to the the bottom.

That was where Kumiko found her when alerted to her dissappearance. "Oh dear..."

Ranma covered his face with one hand and nodded. "That's puttin' it real mild..."

Ukyo tried not to retch at the sight.

Shampoo closed her eyes.

Akane stared at the screen unblinking and uncomprhending.

Cologne turned to the eldest Tendo daughter and asked, "I assume that you will need some help with the arrangements?"

Kasumi blinked and fainted.

"I don't think that sort of thing will be needed," Kumiko told them.

"Why is that?" asked the Amazon Elder.

"She is still alive."

"Oh my..."

"And if we hurry, we can get her back to perfect health."

"Even from such a fall?"

"Possibly, if we act fast. As you can see, we have our units on the scene."

Shampoo turned from the image of numerous androids converging on Nabiki's form and stared at the sales girl. "You make Sneaky Girl better?"

Ifurita 1.5: The Bionic Nabiki? [Episode 73855]

by Kestrel

Nabiki had just dropped 120 feet onto a ceramic-steel reinforced floor.

Nabiki was not Keitaro Urashima, who would barely be fazed. She was not Ranma or Ryoga, who would suffer minor injuries from such a thing.

A normal person falling that distance and landing badly was a mess.

One could look at the mess and tell that all the king's horses and all the king's men weren't going to put Nabiki together again.

Cyberdyne, on the other hand, was much better at such things.

"Now, about payment," began Kumiko as the bits and pieces of Nabiki were carefully gathered up.

"I thought I'd already arranged that," said Ranma with a scowl.

"You arranged for your contract with Ifurita," said Kumiko. "I'm talking about the repairs for Nabiki Tendo. She did step off the obvious walkway, over the rail, and for whatever reason decided to take the fall that she did."

"It's going to cost to fix Nabiki?!" Akane exclaimed as if the entire idea was ludicrous.

"Yes," said Kumiko without any visible reaction to Akane's voice reaching the upper registers. "The price depends on how much reconstruction. Ah, we've isolated the usable original parts."

Subject: Nabiki Tendo

Age: 17 Height:5'5" Weight:130# Cup: C

Blood Type: A+ Lanitype: HuJaFeVx

Usable with minor repairs: right arm and hand. Primary cranial region. Right lung. Right femur. Right eye. Right kidney and adrenal gland.

"That's all?" Akane asked, then thought about it. Nabiki had splatted pretty badly. "How much damage?"

The list continued on much longer.

"Okay," said Ranma. "How much are we looking at?"

"A nearly full cyborg replacement," said Kumiko. "Too many damaged internal systems for anything else. Her rib cage apparently sliced up her intestinal tract."

"Money is no object for my little girl," began Soun.

"Easy for you to say, Daddy. We don't have any money!" said Nabiki's voice.

"NABIKI?!" shrieked Akane.

"We're keeping her brain alive on life support, though we'll have to begin operations soon if we want to have any hope of avoiding further brain damage and resultant memory loss." Kumiko tapped a few keys and an image of what was left of Nabiki's head appeared.

"I've looked better," remarked Nabiki's synthesized voice.

Subject: Nabiki Tendo

Simple Prosthetic Body $35,000

Plastic Cyborg Body $75,000

Marionette Cyborg $145,000

Full Marionette Conversion (Basic) $5,500

Full Marionette Conversion (Saber) $25,000

Clone Body $21,350,000

Liquid Metal $9,000,000

Used Chassis price varies

Combat Cyberdoll/Steel Angel $31,000

"These are the options you have," said Kumiko. "Yes, Miss Tendo? If you license us to use your physical image, we can credit you enough to cover the Simple Form. That leaves you alive though physically crippled. You'd have the minimum necessary but the limbs are what your own technology is capable of producing. We can release you with the Simple form without having you agree to the nondisclosure of technology contract. The Plastic body is quite obviously an artificial body with plasticized skin. While you wouldn't be physically crippled, your strength, speed and stamina would be less than what you are used to and people might mistake you for a mannequin. Sense of touch is only 20% of what you might expect as well."

"Ah," said Nabiki as a computer model of the two appeared briefly. One showed a Nabiki as she might have been fixed with modern medicine, which would leave her in a wheelchair. The other showed a Nabiki that looked more like a very articulated doll than anything else.

"The Marionette Cyborg option would leave you with a noncombat marionette body merged with the remains of your human body." Kumiko brought up a normal image of Nabiki, except for the odd lines on her left upper arm. "There are problems with this, mainly that your human body may attempt to reject the cyborg parts."

"What's the full marionette and why is it cheaper?" Nabiki asked.

"We discard the physical body," said Kumiko. "Your mind, soul, personality, and memories are transferred to a marionette body we prepare on the spot. Since we have all the proper equipment here and can be prepped within five minutes - it is the cheapest option for us in terms of time and resources."

"You can turn Mercenary Girl into supergirl android?!" asked Shampoo.

"It would be far easier than attempting to do the clone body," admitted Kumiko. "The Saber Marionette merely means combat grade. Uprated strength, speed, reflexes, physical durability. The only drawback is some additional programming we usually insist on to avoid the Rogue Destroyer problems that could crop up later. The Clone body takes about two months to develop and would be nearly indistinguishable from your original body."

"Would she be able to have children?" Kasumi asked, having begun to recover somewhat.

"That would take full Marionette replacement, with an additional $5000 charge for the specialized equipment," replied Kumiko. "The Liquid Metal is not recommended. It would allow you some shapeshifting abilities but a strong enough magnetic field will destabilize the nanobots."

"What about the Used Models?" Nabiki's voice asked.

"Mainly the bodies of Triax and similar nonhuman cyborg stylings meant for people living in really hostile environments. Their previous owners traded them in for Clone bodies or advanced specialized models." Kumiko cycled through a few of them just to give the customers/patient an idea of what to expect.

Soun stared, the thought occurring to him that if this had been available earlier - his wife could have been saved.

"How do I pay for this?" said Nabiki's voice. "I know Daddy doesn't have the money."

Ranma wondered if he should offer to add the tab to Ifurita's purchase.

Akane wondered if Nabiki should go to work for the company in order to pay it off.

Kasumi wondered if these androids could be made in human image, then maybe Nabiki could sell her image to the company in order to pay for her repairs.

Kodachi wondered if she should offer to pay for the Mercenary Girl's cure, and then make the stipulation of Ranma's marriage to herself, perhaps transfer of the Tendo arrangement to herself?

"We'll work on payment arrangements after you've decided what body to go with, we'll need to begin work immediately," said Kumiko.

"In that case," said Soun, realizing he was Head Of House and he needed to act the part. Otherwise it all fell on Kasumi's shoulders. "I choose:"

Ifurita 1.5: Machine Girl [Episode 73978]

by Kender

"In that case," said Soun, realizing he was Head Of House and he needed to act the part. Otherwise it all fell on Kasumi's shoulders. "I choose..."

"I'll take the marionette conversion!" blurted Nabiki's voice.

Kumiko raised her brows in an expression of surprise. "You will?"

"I just said that, didn't I?"

"Well, if that's what you want..."

"It is. I'm not about to bankrupt my family just for that."

"Okay then, the decision has been made."

Ranma glanced at Ifurita for a second and then back at the screen. "Are ya sure 'bout this?"

"Certainly Saotome," replied the middle Tendo.

"But that means that ya won't have your body..."

"That's a trade off, but I don't really have an option. I'm not about to spend the rest of my life as a cripple, and being a walking mannequin is not something that I'd like. Besides, while keeping my body would be damned nice, I'm not going to have that sort of bill coming."

"I see..."

"Good," Nabiki told him.

"Now, are you ready?" Kumiko asked her.

"Just about," came the reply,

Ifurita 1.5: Drawbacks & Benefits [Episode 74145]

by Kestrel

"Hey," Nabiki's voice said. "Can I make some alterations, and what's 'Image data' anyway?"

"For the first part of your question, yes, we're setting up an access channel so you can make specific alterations directly. The unit is not an artificial intelligence, but is fairly intuitive, so make whatever changes you like within reason. As for Image data - image includes but is not restricted to your physical likeness. To some degree your memories - particularly the image data from your brain that links up a specific picture with a specific idea. I'm told it's rather like having a lot of sisters or daughters, in that all those within your specific line would then be within that 'circle of relatedness'. Each unit would be a specific individual, but a near copy."

"That's kind of creepy," said Akane. "Copying personal memories?"

"Yes, that's why it has been assigned such a high monetary value," admitted Kumiko. "Normally we'd run a background check, personality tests, and only when everything came back approved would we make the offer. Miss Tendo's case here is somewhat unexpected."

"...let's see make the breasts a little bigger and firmer..." mused Nabiki's voice. "Manicure too. Save money by doing it this way. Hmmm. Hey, that's a lot of small print. Oh, Ranma. Can I speak to you for a moment?"

Ranma blinked. "Ain't you already talking to me?"

"In private, I mean," said the disembodied voice.

Kodachi watched with an unusual emotion welling up inside her. Envy.

"These marionettes, they remain young and beautiful forever?" Kodachi asked.

"That depends on your definition of forever," admitted Kumiko. "I myself have an expected operational life of seven hundred years where my physical appearance will not deteriorate. With occasional upgrades and routine maintenance - a life of thousands of years isn't beyond reason. The limiting factors are our need to serve and our main neural net. Right now it's expected the marionette brain will begin deteriorating in function about seven hundred years after manufacture. Emotional stress and not having a purpose will shorten that, while having our 'special someone' will add to it, and stasis can hold it off with minimal data loss."

"Oooh?" Ukyo and Shampoo both said with glances towards Cologne. Eternal youth and beauty? Yet at what price.

"So Nabiki Tendo will now remain looking as she will turn out, three hundred or a thousand years hence," said Cologne. "Remaining young and vital. Yet at what cost? She will never have children. If she's ever injured she has to be repaired."

Kumiko's head cocked to the side. "Actually it looks like she's selected a Saber unit with the childbearing option and a self repair node and... clever."

"What she do? She make herself stronger than Shampoo?" Shampoo didn't like that development.

Kumiko continued to remote monitor the package Nabiki was putting together. "A Saber unit is about the price of a car. She's fitting herself for stealth and speed primarily, with a full sensor suite."

"Sneaky Girl is still Sneaky Girl even if she change to machine girl," observed Shampoo.

"That's not the clever part. She's determined that it is cheaper to buy a Saber unit than it is to become one. So she's arranging for Ranma Saotome to purchase her." Kumiko tsked. "I wonder if she realizes what all that entails?"

"Probably not, foresight is not a typical quality around here," said Cologne.

"She's locked the deal in place," observed Kumiko.

"What mean?" Shampoo asked.

"Vulgarly asked, but she has a point. What does that mean?" Kodachi inquired, intrigued on several levels as this sort of thing was a private fantasy of hers.

"She's basically making herself a present to him in order to save money," said Kumiko. "However as he is her owner and primary operator, her loyalties will no longer be self-centered but centered towards him."

"Oh, I see," said Kodachi.

"That make sense," agreed Shampoo.

"So that's it," put in Akane, nodding.

"Ah," agreed a nodding Ukyo.

"...?! WHAT?!" exclaimed four girls as the potential meaning sunk in.

"Oh my," agreed Kasumi.

"WAAHHHHHH! My little girl!" cried Soun.

[Does this mean I don't owe her any more money?] popped up a panda sign after one of the streams of tears from Soun turned Genma into a panda.

Ifurita 1.5: Crossed Errors [Episode 74331]

by Kender

If one were to rationally think about it, they would realise that the situation that Nabiki was placing herself in was a problematic one. She would be forced by her programming to do what he ordered despite any wish otherwise, save for a few instances. On the other hand, it was unlikely that the pigtailed boy would get past the concept that he would be owning the middle Tendo daughter, robot or not, and would likely have a hard time ordering her to do anything. One might think that the most likely result would be a whole lot of misunderstanding and freaking out on the part of both parties before they could come to any balance.

Ranma's fiancees weren't exactly known for thinking rationally.

"What does that pervert think he's going to do with my sister?!" snarled Akane.

Kodachi sniffed. "The most likely result will be that your moneyhungry sister will try to manipulate my poor Ranma-darling!"

"There's no way that I'm going to let her get her claws into my Ranma-honey!" declared Ukyo.

"Shampoo no let Sneaky Girl trick way to Airen!"

Kumiko blinked several times. "Isn't that over doing it a bit much?"

"NO!" tore out from four throats.

"I'll save you Ranma-darling!" proclaimed the gymnast.

"Shampoo save him!" yelled the lavander haired Amazon.

"Don't worry Ranma-honey!" shouted the chef.

"Grrr... Ranma you jerk!" barked the youngest Tendo.

Reduced to staring, the salesgirl could only watch as the four young women stormed foward, fighting with each other to be the one to reach their goal. Shampoo would trip Kodachi, who would lash out with her ribbon, snagging Ukyo, which made the brown haired girl swung her spatula, knocking over Akane, who would fall on top of the Amazon. And that was only the beginning as they tried to get to her control panel in the hopes of doing something to stop what was going on.

It was almost like watching a pile up on a highway in slow motion coming straight at her.

Once Kumiko realised that they were coming close to her, she began to try to hit the controls, trying to lock down the system so that the damage would be minimised. Doing so wasn't too hard, but trying it in such a short period was a difficult proposition. But as she had nearly made it, something happened that made her wince.

Ifurita 1.5: So that's a FUBAR [Episode 74469]

by Kestrel

What could go wrong?

What couldn't go wrong would be more to the point.

Akane + Shampoo + Ukyo + Kodachi + a high tech control panel = disaster.

As Kumiko had stated, the changes were locked. Nabiki had entered the specifics on her conversion and she was going to have Ranma add her to his bill, thereby saving her family from paying for her while minimizing problems. Ranma was a clueless jock, so she'd be able to manipulate him however she wanted.

Akane slammed Kodachi into the control panel after Kodachi had been tripped by Shampoo and had grabbed Akane in an "inappropriate area."

Adding Domestic Skilpak

Adding Masseuse Skilpak

Adding Marionette Repairgirl Skilpak

Adding Basic Mecha Piloting

Adding Basic Mecha Repair

Adding Basic Mechanics

Adding Basic Electronics

Adding Gunsmith

#Akane, you'll pay for this.# flashed across a monitor briefly.

Kodachi's face slammed into the control panel as Akane was knocked off balance and into her by a spatula swipe as Ukyo and Shampoo traded attacks.

Adding Sexual Techniques - Basic

Adding Affection For Owner subroutine, Level III.

Adding Entertainer - Geisha Skilpak.

#I'm going to get even with all of you. Somehow. Somewhen. Some... oh. So that's how that works.# popped up on an undamaged monitor.

A spatula slammed into the control panel, the edge making a messy shear through plastic and thin metal. Shampoo was grappling Ukyo and pulling at her hair, Akane had grabbed ahold of Shampoo's collar with one hand and produced a bucket of water from nowhere with the other. Kodachi was biting Shampoo's ankle.

Cologne saw what was about to happen and ducked and covered.

Akane's bucket of water sloshed out, splashing across Shampoo and the open and sparking control panel that still had a metal spatula buried in it.

FRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKK!

Dim emergency lighting went into effect.

Kumiko cleared her throat. "Well, at least life support is on a different system. As soon as this section is isolated the breaker will be reset. Does anyone know where she got that pail of water?"

As the lights came on, the bodies of four young ladies (or rather three and a cat) could be seen smouldering a little around the edges.

Ifurita 1.5: Shocked Rose [Episode 74819]

by Kender

Rolling onto her back, Ukyo blew out a puff of smoke and groaned. "That wasn't something that I would want to try again."

"I didn't want to do it the first time around," muttered Akane.

"Meow," grumbled Shampoo-cat.

"Oh my..," said an obviously fretting Kasumi, "Are all of you okay?"

Pulling herself from the floor, her sister nodded. "I will be... I think."

"Nya..," put in a wobbly looking Shampoo.

"Give me a little while," commented the chef, "and I'll be right in rain."

"That is good to hear," Cologne told them.

"Why thank you..."

"You're welcome. But I do wonder if any of you realised one thing."

"What's that?"

"Has anyone noticed that the Kuno girl has not moved as of yet?"

"She hasn't?" Kumiko asked, and made her way over to the gymnast. "She's barely conscious, and her vitals are low."

"Shock?"

"Could be..."

"How bad is it?"

Producing a scanning device, the salesgirl ran it over Kodachi. "It seems that her nervous system is shot and her heart was harmed. Add in the other damage, and it doesn't look good."

"Then what can you do?"

"We'll have to work fast, whatever we do..," Kumiko replied, and then noted the slight hold that the injured girl had on her clothing. "Miss Kuno?"

"I... I... want to be a marionette for... my... Ranma-darling..," gasped Kodachi.

"What?!" blurted the other two teen girls, with a "Meow!" from a cat.

"Are you sure about that?" Kumiko asked.

"I... will pay... want to be loyal to him..."

Shrugging in helplessness, the sales girl nodded before taking her over to where a floating bed was waiting. A robot arm came and took the injured girl away,

Ifurita 1.5: An easy payment plan? [Episode 74899]

by Kestrel

Ifurita had stood in the background for much of this but had come forward to the stricken girl as she was being carried away and given her a squeeze on the shoulder. Holding out a hand she led the shocked Ranma along in the wake of the medicbot.

"No, I mean she's literally cooked," said Kumiko. "She was at ground level when the electricity was arcing and she was the one who took the brunt of it. If Miss Shampoo hadn't changed into a cat and broken contact as a result of the shrinkage, it would be her that had become damaged."

"So what does this mean?" asked Akane, her emotions whirling in a dozen different directions with this development.

"Her body temperature briefly exceeded one hundred ninety degrees," said Kumiko. "Only for three quarters of a second but it was enough to start a cascade effect." She didn't need to make a gesture to display the data, like pulling out a scanner it was mainly an affectation that served to reassure humans in the vicinity. She gestured at a monitor and it came alive with a display.

"What's all that red?" Akane asked.

"Damaged or burst cellular membranes," said Kumiko. "Her hypothalamus is shot, pituitary, see the damage to the spinal cord areas? Blood brain barrier's shot too. Liver, intestinal tract..."

"She die?" Shampoo asked. Rivals were for killing but that was up close and personal, not accidently frying them. Besides, that had almost been her!

The tide of red continued to spread through the silhouette of a human body.

"The two of them will be delivered later," said Kumiko. "We'll have to artificially sustain Miss Kuno until we can determine that this is what she really wants and it wasn't done from delusion."

"I see," said Cologne.

"Now, as for paying for the damage you three have caused," Kumiko said, turning towards the fiancees. "Miss Kuno will pay her share and is paying another sort of cost altogether. How do you three plan on paying for damages?"

"Ranma?" Akane turned, and found a decided lack of pigtailed boy. "RANMA?!"

"Ranma Saotome did not participate directly in the event," said Kumiko. "Well?"

Ranma stared at the tank. Bit by bit, a naked Nabiki was taking shape. A hairless head and face, perfectly formed at this stage, her neck and shoulders. Something like a spinal column and ribs. He'd arrived in time to see the internal organs of the chest being installed. Lucky him.

The inner layers resembled human tissue, at least what he could remember from biology class. Except they were mainly translucent plastic-coated metal and other oddities. The ribs and spine were plainly mechanical looking though. Segments of tough looking metal coated with plastic.

"Fascinating," said Ifurita, watching the process. "This is more advanced than the ancient El Hazard artificiers could have managed."

"Great," said Ranma, his tone suggesting that it was anything but.

Looking over displays, Ifurita gave an approving nod. It appeared that as a Saber unit, Nabiki would weigh a small increment more than she had as a human but would be far stronger and tougher. "Don't touch."

Ranma had been about to lean on a panel and now flinched away from it. "I didn't do nothing!"

Ifurita turned back towards the tank. It was really quite something. As soon as the nanobots had finished an area, prefabricated pieces like an organ or a bone would be released into the tank. The piece would be guided into place and then the nanobots would weave artificial tissue to connect the new part to its new home.

"So that's how it's done," said Ifurita. "No doubt the artificial womb is fairly similar in function. Artificial tissue that functions much like the original."

"Uh huh," said Ranma, still a bit shocked and nauseated as he watched a shoulder joint get built up and an upper arm get fitted into the socket.

Ifurita looked over the unit as a second tube was being prepped for construction of another unit. "I wonder if she realizes how long a thousand years can be."

Akane stuck her head out of the huddle to briefly address Kumiko. "We'll be right with you."

Ukyo waited until Akane had dropped back in. "Okay. How are we going to do this."

"Shampoo not know why she have to pay. Was Spatula Girl's spatula and Violent Pervert Girl's water."

"Because none of us are letting you out of this and you were in the melee too," growled Akane. Ukyo nodded her agreement.

"We could try selling this 'image data' but I don't know. It's just kinda creepy," put in Ukyo. "I mean, you go into a store and there's a clockwork Ukyo 'Welcome to Yoshi's Pizzeria, can I help you?' or something."

"Kuno could buy an Akane of his own," said Akane. "You have no idea how much that idea disgusts me."

"Shampoo can relate. Mousse buy own Shampoo, would give Shampoo serious creeps."

"Perhaps I could offer my own image data," put in Cologne.

"You think they need something that scary?" Soun asked.

BOPP!

"Now that he had coming," stated Akane as her father was bopped in the head.

"I was quite a beauty in my time," stated Cologne. Actually the idea of a version of herself, forever young, forever strong in the martial arts - it had some attraction to her.

"Could be worse," stated Ukyo. "Imagine Happosai buying a set."

"Ewwwww," said Soun, Genma, Cologne, Ukyo, Akane, and Shampoo.

"If it was just the overall image, that's one thing, but they also use brain data." Akane shuddered. "I'm not so sure I could handle walking into a restaurant and finding ME in a bunny-suit waiting tables or something."

"Shampoo think that horrible idea," agreed Shampoo. "Violent Pervert Girl in bunny-suit too too horrible to imagine."

"Yeah, yeah, HEY!" Akane glared at the giggling Shampoo. "Let's get serious here. How are we going to pay for damages?"

Yuka and Sayuri were in a second huddle, whispering to each other, and apparently planning something.

Genma had found a wall unit that could dispense whatever beverage he asked for and was beginning to think this place wasn't so bad after all!

Ifurita 1.5: Selling The Picture [Episode 75070]

by Kender

"We have to do something," Akane said to the other two girls, "I don't know about you two, but my family can't pay that much."

Ukyo nodded. "I do have my business, but most of the money just goes back into it, not to mention that I have to take a lot of time off to go to school."

"No look at Shampoo," the Amazon told them, "Not know how pay for self, never mind others."

"So we've settled that we're in a bit of a bind. Now we need to figure out what we can do about it."

"Shampoo figure have one choice."

"What's that?"

"Is strangeness about having robot selves too much in face of paying lot to machine people."

"You've got a point," Akane grudgingly allowed.

The Amazon shrugged. "Have to figure out if possiblity of fools having copies?"

"I just wish we could have some way of keeping them from doing that..."

"Well, let's see if we can," Ukyo said, and raised her head from the huddle, "Hey, can we ask you a question."

Kumiko nodded and gave a concilitory gesture. "By all means."

"If we were to sell you our images, would you keep certain... people from buying them?"

"That would be no problem, as long as it doesn't go overboard."

With a nod, the chef went back to the huddle and looked the other girls in the eyes. "What do you think?"

"Is good can keep stupid Mousse from buying robot girl," Shampoo commented.

"And Kuno too," Akane agreed with a shiver, "I wouldn't want to imagine what he could do with a copy..."

"Okay then," Ukyo said resolutely, "We have to make a decision then. What do you say?"

Ifurita 1.5: Methods of payment [Episode 75133]

by Kestral

Ifurita glanced over the displays.

As an artificial life form herself, she was more than a little curious about these two. Not to mention that they would have the same owner as herself.

She tapped out an inquiry and raised an eyebrow at some of the choices.

Unit NT001 Nabiki Tendo

Sabre class Marionette SR type

Str **

Spd ***

Int ***

Dur **

Self Repair System - Basic

Childbearing Package - Basic

Sensor Suite - Battlecomputer, IR, UV, Nightvision, internal radar

Primary Designation: Mechanic

Primary Skills: Domestic, Masseuse, Marionette Repair, Mecha Pilot/Repair, Electronic and Mechanical Repairs, Gunsmith, Entertainer

Secondary Designation: Entertainer - Geisha

AI: Transferred Soul, Otome Kairo Mk II

Affection For Owner subroutine altered to Level III

Owner: Ranma Saotome

Progress: 84% Completed

Ifurita looked at where Nabiki's scalp was building a level of hair even as the changes continued elsewhere. Everything below the waist was still open, with the legs only being metal-ceramic bones and connective tissues at this point.

Ranma looked slightly ill still.

Unit KK001 Kodachi Kuno

Sabre class Marionette VR type

Str **

Spd ****

Int **

Dur **

Self Repair System - Basic

Childbearing Package - Basic

Sensor Suite - Short range medical scanners

Drug Dispensing System - Type II

Primary Designation: Personal Assistant

Primary Skills: Domestic, Masseuse, First Aid, EMT, Marionette Repair - Basic, Entertainer

Secondary Designation: Nurse

AI: Transferred Soul, Otome Kairo Mk II

Per request, using Affection For Owner subroutine level I

Owner: Ranma Saotome

Progress: 24% Completed

Ifurita looked over the girl there, who had known what she was getting into. She suspected that Nabiki had not known or considered the ramifications, whereas in the case of Kodachi - it was possible that she had placed herself in harm's way deliberately for this end.

The girl's face and head were mostly complete and seemed serenely asleep. The spine and basics of the rib cage were apparent, but the rest had yet to be filled in.

"It's not bad," pointed out Ifurita. "If it bothers you, just don't order them about. Though from what I can see of this girl's psychological profile, she would probably feel neglected if you didn't."

"Huh?" Ranma asked.

"Look at these two, they've sold their image data. The Nabiki series is designated a Mechanic specialist. While the Kodachi series is being designated as an Entertainer specialist. Though apparently these designations are just initial and can change after feasibility studies."

"We've decided," Akane told Kumiko.

"That's good," said Kumiko, turning from her conversation with Yuka and Sayuri.

Akane stopped and looked at her friends, then back to Kumiko, and then back to her innocent looking friends. "Guys?"

"They were just concluding a potential deal, Miss Tendo," Kumiko informed Akane. She then addressed Akane's two friends. "We have initial images ready. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes please," blurted Yuka.

Holograms appeared, showing images of both Yuka and Sayuri turning in midair. Except that these seemed to have a few cosmetic alterations.

Yuka's image had a pair of cat ears and a tail, and was bustier than her original. Wearing a Lara Croft adventuring outfit and with a gun holstered on both hips, she looked a bit wilder and more dangerous than the schoolgirl original as well.

Sayuri's image stood with legs slightly apart, hands clasped in front of her own more generous bosom. Her cheongsam fluttered slightly in a simulated breeze as she regarded them.

"If you come back and decide to sell us your data, we can easily use these specifications," Kumiko informed the two. "As you've stated we can specify the Yuka as an Explorer-Scout and the Sayuri model as a Tutor-Bodyguard series."

"You can specify duty type," Shampoo said. "Okay-dokey! Shampoo sell image data but want specify what duty type series sold as."

"Let me guess, body guard?" Ukyo drawled.

"Waitress," said Shampoo. "And please to have unit speak clearly and distinctly. No want speech impediment copied."

"Okay. Beppo?" Kumiko gestured and a metal baseball flew up. "Beppo here will take you to an imaging chamber. A holographic representation will appear that you can add tweaks to if it makes you feel more comfortable."

Shampoo followed the slowly moving baseball, looking a little more nervous now that she'd committed.

"What about testing of these units, or development?" Ukyo seemed hesitant now that it was actually coming to pass.

"I see," said Kumiko. "So you desire to pay back your share of expenses by field testing units in real world situations? With your statements about running a restaurant that would provide a semi-regulated work environment for fine tuning. That is certainly one way to do it. Independent contractor status?"

"Uh yeah," said Ukyo quickly, having not even realized that was a possibility. "That's it exactly. No matter how many simulations you run, it ain't like it's the real thing."

"True," admitted Kumiko. "We have had prototypes run into problems and there is always new data to gather. Particularly when you factor in alternate realities. Very well, one Image Data, one Field Test, and what of you, Miss Tendo?"

"ME?!" Akane exclaimed, glaring briefly at Ukyo. The plan had been for all three to sell their Image Data. Ukyo going off and using her advantage at having a business didn't seem at all fair to Akane. "I... what else can I do to pay off that kind of debt?"

Kumiko considered the youngest Tendo as if analyzing her down to the last molecule. "Well, Miss Tendo, we could:"

Ifurita 1.5: Part-Time Akane and Nanny Kodachi [Episode 75419]

by Thrythlind

"That's it, just work here at the showroom?" Akane asked.

"Well, it isn't exactly all cake," the android explained. "The doors do open out across various realities, so we do get a variety of customers. And occasionally we do get some spill over from a local disturbance."

"What does that mean?" Ukyou asked.

"If the door opens onto a world with a raging demon war," Cologne said succinctly. "Expect a fight."

"You will receive combat pay for every such occurence, however," Kumiko told the nervous Akane. "And we've managed to sharpen the extradimensional sensor sweeps enough that we have cut down the number of such surprise by a margin of 10 percent in the last year."

"Uhhhh, what's the life expectancy of the job?" Akane asked sheepishly.

"For unenhanced humans, about six months," the android said honestly. "But you're a low-class superhuman, you should be able to handle it long enough for the combat models to get to the showroom."

And Akane did something that, to date, only her father had done.

Fainted dead away...slamming into a control panel.

Alter Image Current Prototype Accepted: Adding Anthropomorph Basic Package, Species: Black Fox.

Tertiary Subroutine added - Nanny - Child Protection

"Perhaps it would be best to continue this discussion away from the machinery," Kumiko said nervously. "On the other hand, this will make the Kodachi series a very good selling series. Entertainer, nurse, child care...hmm."

"Curious, it hasn't finished the spine yet," Ifurita said.

"Huh?" Ranma repeated turning to look at Kodachi's robot, and swallowing a little as he did.

He saw that the demon-goddess was right, Kodachi's tail was extending farther than it should have. In fact, it was beginning to look something like a tail. He looked back up at Kodachi's head and blinked as the black furry ears were finished.

"What the hell..."

Unit KK001 Kodachi Kuno Sabre class Marionette VR type

Anthropomorph - Basic (Usagichan de Cue variation)

Physical Enhancement - Prehensile Tail

Sensor Suite - Enhanced hearing, scent

Claws, light self-defense "manicured fingernails" model

Enhanced canines, light self-defense "cute fangs" model

Primary Designation: Entertainment Subroutines Added - Children's Stories, Children's Songs, Children's Games, Children's Show Fox Roleplay, Young Child to Teenager Superhero Stories, Adult Fox Roleplay

Secondary Designation: Nurse Subroutines - Children's Medicine, Child Care

Teritary Designation: Nanny/Child Protection Subroutines - Aikido martial arts package.

Libido set to Grade Three

Progress: 34% Completed

Warning: Any further shifts to this models image will be blocked at 36%

"Wait!" a monitor flashed indignantly for a moment. "I don't..."

Progress: 37% completed

Further changes to this prototype's image blocked.

"Oh bother," the computer monitor flashed.

"Heh, join the club, Kodachi," another monitor printed up.

"What just happened?" Ranma asked.

"Apparently another accident," Ifurita said.

"Why is 'fox roleplay' listed twice?" Ranma asked curiously.

"Simple," the Nabiki monitor printed. "One is for the kids' playtime. And one is for the parents' playtime."

"Huh?" Ranma asked.

"I believe she refers to sexual intercourse," Ifurita said.

"Actually," the Kodachi computer flashed. "It isn't nearly as bad as I first thought it'd be. Oooo, I remember that song from when I was a little girl!"

"You know, at this rate," Nabiki said. "All of us will be marionettes before we get out of the store."

Ranma sweatdropped.

Ifurita 1.5: Foxy Lady Dachi [Episode 75440]

by Thrythlind

As the Kodachi monitor's speakers started broadcasting a rather relaxed variation of Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady," the physical structures of both Kodachi and Nabiki were further along to nearing completion.

And as it progressed it became clear that the "Usagichan de Cue" variation that had been applied to Kodachi...

Ifurita 1.5: Multi-Purpose Anatomy [Episode 75455]

by Thrythlind

Ifurita took a moment to look at some further details regarding Kodachi's artificial anatomy.

"Hmm, very interesting," she said, at one point.

"What?" Ranma asked.

"Apparently, they are given the option to control the size of their chest," Ifurita said.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Ranma asked.

"The less embarassing reason, Saotome," the Nabiki computer said. "Is part of the basic childbearing package, if I intake the proper foods, I can produce milk, and holding the milk increases the breast size."

"The less embarassing reason?" Ranma asked.

"As part of the Geisha programming," Ifurita said. "Nabiki is given the following range of sizes dependent on her owner's preference."

The holographic image showed Nabiki's normal chest grow and shrink repeatedly in a sequence ranging from small, handful-sized breasts to near the upper end of a C-cup range. Ranma swallowed nervously and flushed slightly.

"Kodachi, meanwhile, has the following range," Ifurita said, calling up a holograph of a Kodachi with black fox-tail and ears.

Ranma's slight flush darkened to almost crimson as the hologrpahic image ranged from a small C-cup through to a high E-cup. It wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for one thing.

While Nabiki's hologram's apparell shifted from mechanics overalls to flight suit to dancing wear to a geisha's outfit, (the last two bringing the brightest flush to Ranma's face) Kodachi's outfits ranged from the innocent to the naughty nurse to a complete lack of costume.

Ranma immediately pinched a hand to his nose to stop the flow of blood.

Ifurita 1.5: Not A Dream [Episode 75459]

by Kender

It was a slow thing for Akane as she felt herself floating back up from unconsciousness to the real world. The haze of darkness shed itself from her mind, and reason returned to her. Taking a bit of effort, she tried to push past the throbbing in her head, and opened her eyes.

Standing above her was Kasumi, looking as if she was in the middle of wringing the cloth in her hands. "Oh, you're awake!"

"The way that I feel, I certainly am," muttered the youngest Tendo.

"Oh dear, I suppose that it's because of that knock on your head... I'll have to get something to help you with that."

"Thanks. I'm really glad to be awake though..."

"Hmm? Why is that?"

"I was having this really freaky dream. Ranma had come home with a present for your birthday and it turned out to be a girl! And when we made him explain it, he took what seemed like everyone we know to the place he got her, which was this futuristic place with tons of technology. Then Nabiki fell and they had to turn her into a robot to save her. But she tried to get out of the paying as much as she could, and gave herself to Ranma. We got mad, and had a fight, which made Kodachi have to be turned into a robot too, and of course, she had to be with him. Shampoo sold her image to pay for her share of the damages, and Ukyo offered to pay by having robots 'field tested' in her resturant.

"And when they came to me, they asked me to work for them! After they described it... why are you looking at me like that?"

"Akane... That wasn't... er... It was..."

"Don't tell me that it was real?!"

"That is exactly right," put in another voice, one that she had thought that she had only dreamed up.

Turning slightly, the youngest Tendo looked up at Kumiko and gave a tremulous smile. "Oh... hi..."

"I'm glad that you don't seem to be suffering too many ill effects."

"Well... there is the aching in my head..."

"But that is only temporary, and you will be allowed enough time to recover. Though we will still have things to discuss."

"We do..?"

"Of course. There is still your share of the damage to pay for," the salesgirl told her,

Ifurita 1.5: Scanning [Episode 75529]

by Kestral

Shampoo stood nervously. Not nervous because she was naked. Not nervous because she was naked and supposed to stare at a target while a couple of mechanical arms rotated around her body.

What made her nervous was the imagined feeling of fingers running through her brain.

"There you are, Matriarch," said Kumiko holding out a hand and causing a holograph to appear. On it appeared a skeleton, turning around as if on a turntable. Organs and flesh gradually appeared with reams of data scrolling in the margins. "As you are her family, this can be done with your permission."

"Most interesting," admitted Cologne as the view shifted to hands, legs, and other body parts - following the same progression of skeletal to skin. A representation of a human brain and spinal column appeared, with pulses and flashes of light depicting something occurring within. "How far does the scan go?"

"Another two minutes," said Kumiko. "It would be faster, but the brain mapping section has to be adjusted for each individual. Ah, see there. We have sequencing. Not long now."

"I don't think her doubles should be restricted to waitressing," said Cologne. "I'll talk to her later about lifting that restriction. What about my image data?"

"Your greater experience would mean that your data would be more valuable, though our units usually sell on appearance with functionality being appreciated later." Kumiko bowed slightly in apology.

"A human foible," admitted Cologne. "When I was younger though..."

Having shared his discovery of the Universal Drink Machine with his old buddy Soun, it was inevitable.

"Thish ish the life, Shoun ol' buddy-wuddy," said Genma, hefting a flask.

"Yuppurs. The houshesh will be jammed," agreed Soun. "Wif Akane off working insh shtrange new worldsh, getting combat paysh. We be rich!"

"And housesh will be jointed," chimed in a sloshed Genma. "Cause dat one daughter done soldsh hershelf to dat shon of mines. Once dey do dey shummon de shtork it'll be all better."

"Stork? Yoush sure a kidder, Shtome," said Soun before skulling a dark thick liquor that left him wheezing for breath when he was done.

"Whash this counter over here?" Genma asked, peering at a little set of numbers. Panic set in. It must be his tab! How would he pay for this?! "I'll jusht shell Ranma to cover cost." Genma stopped. No he couldn't do that - if he did that now it would interfere with his victory in getting Ranma together with that Tendo girl. "Shtoun ol' buddy?"

"Eh?" Soun asked, looking more than a little woozy from trying to catch up with Genma.

"Gotsh a deal for you where we can makesh e'en more money," confided Genma.

One person had been present earlier who was not there now. One person had wandered off.

"BWEEEEE?!"

Considering that Cyberdyne did open across various realities, this had the potential to get very bad indeed.

Ifurita 1.5: Off Track [Episode 75855]

by Kender

Ryouga Hibiki had a tendency to get lost rather quickly and easily. It was not something that he ever meant to do, but he naturally did it. No attempt to give him directions every worked correctly, so he managed to go places and across distances that many never would have expected. Due to that, he had been able to see many things and meet many people that others might have never seen.

Except, he had never managed to get someplace like this.

He didn't know that he had just wandered through a store that had connections that went interdimensionally. Nor did they realise that a little black pig had not only managed to find the path where it could get past all of the security measures and through a portal to another universe. Neither party knew what was happening, which had led to the point that the Lost Boy was finding himself.

As he looked around, he saw metal floors and things blinking all around him. A look out a window proved that there was a starfield out there, though it had been daytime the last that he had checked. Wandering around did little to help, as there was nothing around him that looked terribly familiar.

That was until he managed to find the sign which would allow him to know the name of the place, if he could read it. In English, written upon it was the name of the station,

Ifurita 1.5: Space is Big. [Episode 75905]

by Kestral

"Meow?"

"No, if you prefer we can use one or the other, but the Image fee is specific to an individual not their form," said a pleasant voice. "It appears that the functioning of the feline form is largely magical in nature - which limits our ability to duplicate the process."

"Meow?"

"Mainly for curiosity, though your Matriarch is currently conducting some - I believe the term is 'dickering' over the possibility of utilizing a Shampoo marionette paired to a Cat marionette which can serve as a remote feed. It has some merit."

"Meow!" agreed Shampoo. She'd seen her great grandmother at work haggling with merchants back in China. If she was handling the negotiations than it was way over her own head.

"Thash itsh Shaotummie," slurred Soun. "Itsh all arranged. I'm not Head Of Houshe for nothing!"

Genma nodded agreeably.

Kumiko frowned momentarily. "Miss Tendo. You are nineteen years old, correct?"

"Yes," agreed Kasumi.

"I'm sixteen," pointed out Akane. "I'm in high school. We're not allowed to work jobs!"

"Your father has just attempted to sell your Image Rights for a series of Domestic units," said Kumiko, ignoring Akane's comments. "Oh, and yours, Akane for a series of Grunt Labor units."

snort. cough. Ukyo clenched her jaw. She was not gonna do it. Not going to roll around on the floor laughing.

"He what?!" Akane practically screeched.

"Since we already have Akane Tendo listed as an employee, part time, we naturally put that arrangement on hold. Whereas you, Kasumi Tendo are over the age of majority and therefore his authority over you is not that complete. Do you wish to allow it to go through anyway?"

Kasumi fainted.

"I'll take that as a 'no'," said Kumiko with some regret. "I'll contact a medical unit to take her to a cot, we had one prepared after the last fainting incident."

Strange music, sounding vaguely like a cross between Glenn Miller and synthesizer New Age, was playing from a bar whose neon-holo sign read "Gallagher's 99."

P-chan stared at the crowd. The things. The people. The things that were also people.

The street looked like the sort of thing you'd have seen in the old "Bladerunner" movie.

It was the sign though that caught P-chan's eye. The sign that welcomed you to the finest drinking spot in

Ifurita 1.5: Star Pork [Episode 76228]

by Kender

It was something that P-chan was having a bit of difficulty understanding. The last time that he had checked he had been in that wierd store. But now he seemed to be stuck around some sort of strange bar where even the otherwise normal looking customers were dressed strangely. That wasn't something that he had expected, and had never managed to see before, which meant one thing.

Someone had switched the signs around and now he was in some sort of theme bar. Only something like that could explain the way that there were all these guys in similiar outfits save the different colors could be walking along with those folks with the bumps on their faces. There were even some who looked like they were not even close to human, but those simply had to be costumes. It didn't make sense for a regular guy to be drinking some sort of green liquid with a girl with pointy ears for any other reason.

So, he simply put it down to his bad luck taking him to some science fiction convention and walked along, hoping that he could find his way back to where he was supposed to be.

However, a girl whose leg he brushed up against had a different idea.

"Oh! How cute!" she declared as she picked up the little black pig and held it up to her face.

"Here we go again..," drawled the woman sitting across from her.

"What?"

"You're going to want to keep him, aren't you?"

"Why not? He is such a cute little guy."

"That's what you said about the tribble."

"But this guy looks like he'd be different."

Her companion rolled her eyes. "And what if they catch you with it?"

"Why would they? I'll be running it by them anyway..."

P-chan merely hung his head and wondered how he could get back home

Ifurita 1.5: Nabiki 1.5 bootup [Episode 76268]

by Kestral

P-chan grumbled. Same old routine. Here he was in a spaceship, kidnapped by alien women who thought he made a cute pet. Great just great.

Wait a minute!

P-chan leapt off the bunk and trotted to the window. Planet. Space field streaking by. Thrumming through the deck plates. Space station off the port bow.

He was in space. The final frontier. These were the voyages of the starship...

"BWEEEEEEEEE!"

Akane frowned but in a thoughtful as opposed to a "Ranma did something else wrong" manner.

There were several things going on in her life which were decidedly different from the day before. A simple demand that Ranma prove something that had been ridiculous had proven to have consequences that none of them could have foreseen.

Her sister and Kodachi had been nearly killed. Without intervention from high tech sources, they would be both dead. Instead they were going to be androids that her fiance owned.

She'd put aside the thought that she was going to be working in hostile environments tomorrow. It was either that or she'd have to deal with the deal her father had made while drunk and observe with a lot of Grunt Labor robot Akane running around. If she insisted that because she couldn't work because she was a high school student, that meant that her father's deal was actually valid. If she insisted on working, she placed herself in potential mortal danger. Not that just like around here wasn't at times quite dangerous.

Ranma had had to stay behind and take care of some paperwork, and right now there were a couple of the androids (named Mew and Mica) looking for P-chan who'd wandered off somehow.

"Yes, that's how you do it. Back and forth."

"It's very slick."

Akane's eyes widened and her gaze went to the second floor of the Tendo home. Kasumi? Ifurita? They weren't... were they?!

"Too much force in your thrusts. By the way this staff of yours is quite chilly."

"Don't worry. It'll warm up. How's this?"

Akane twitched. Ranma was so perverted even that wind up doll of his was a pervert! And corrupting Kasumi!

"Oh yes. Be sure to apply it evenly now. Yes. Yes, that's much better."

"I've never done this before, but I think I'm getting the hang of it."

Akane scowled and ran up the stairs. "Kasumi! You caaaaaaaaaaaa"

Kasumi and Ifurita looked up from where they were waxing the floor to watch Akane go shooting past them.

"I haven't finished there yet," complained Ifurita.

"So much energy," said Kasumi of her sister.

"-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-" Arms windmilling, Akane continued down the hallway into her room. "aaaaaaaaan't AH!"

WHAM! CRASH!

"I just straightened up in there," complained Ifurita.

"We're in luck. I'll be able to show you how to replaster a wall now," said Kasumi thoughtfully.

"If you'll just wait here, Mister Saotome. Press the button when you're ready," said Kumiko.

"Wait I - oh hell," said Ranma as the door closed behind the marionette salesclerk. Why did one simple birthday present have to go so wrong?

Now Nabiki was probably planning to use this against him somehow but he just didn't see how this would all end up his fault. It would though.

Ranma looked in through the glass pane of the "coffin" she was in. Undergoing final preparations or something. It looked like Nabiki had not only wanted to give herself more of a bustline, she'd also buffed herself up a little more though subtly. Her legs looked a little longer too.

Really weird was the costume. Since she was supposed to be primarily a mechanic, she had a set of coveralls with lots of pockets. The top was open, revealing a black formfitting undershirt or maybe the top part of a leotard. Nabiki herself looked like she was sleeping peacefully.

Bleep!

Ranma realized at once that he was leaning on the glass and peering in. He backpedaled immediately. "AH! I didn't mean nothing! It was an accident!"

klik whirrrrrrrrrrr

The coffin lid opened up and Nabiki slowly rose to a sitting position.

System Diagnosis: OK.

Energy level: 75%

Safety Interlocks: Green

Owner: Ranma Saotome

Activation Boot Up Complete.

Suggest utilizing a break in period of two days before exploring limits of capabilities.

Nabiki yawned and stretched. It felt like she'd had a good nap and was a little bit tired yet.

Opening her eyes, she could see that it was the room she'd seen earlier through a video feed. So this was it. She had been successful in getting purchased by Ranma for a significant savings. She could then purchase herself back from Ranma after recouping a little funds. Not a problem. He had always been embarassingly easy to manipulate.

Nabiki's eyes went to Ranma and widened involuntarily. Her Master?

It looked like the Level III Affection For Owner subroutine meant:

S

Ifurita 1.5: Happy Greeting [Episode 76338]

by Kender

In the time that he had known Nabiki, Ranma had become used to her being the smart-aleck of the three Tendo sisters. She was the constantly cool and calm one, and always had plans for whatever she wanted to do. Even when she was angry, shenever screeched or hit, and was usually able to handle anything that came her way with a definate control. He simply never knew what she was thiking or feeling, as she knew how to cover them up rather well.

What he had never expected was for her to be fairly wrapped around his body.

"Uh... Ya... like me?" he asked incredulously.

"Definately!" she declared and nuzzled his cheek.

He didn't know what to make of it, save that she felt normal enough, but that wasn't the main thing on his mind. "Ummm... I'm happy ta see that ya are okay, but could ya lay off on the hug?"

"Oh?" she asked, disappointment echoing in the word.

"Well... yeah. It's kinda like... Shampoo, and I'd sorta like ta breathe..."

Reluctantly she let go of him and stood to the side, before realising how she had acted. Instead of the calm manipulation that she had planned on doing, she had leapt to hold him and she couldn't have stopped herself. There was just something in seeing him that made her happy and she still couldn't help smiling when thinking about him.

Looking a bit embarrassed and shy, he ducked his head and looked at her. "Sorry 'bout this."

"Don't worry about it," she told him, waving off the apology, "It was my fault, since I should have been looking where I was going."

"So, ya ain't mad at me?"

"Why should I be?"

"For... buyin' ya for starters."

"Which was my idea, if you remember."

"Well, yeah..."

"So, what do you want to do?"

That made him blink. "Huh?"

"You are my Master, and I am programmed to do what you want."

"URK!"

"Relax... It's okay."

"Ya... You're sure."

"Yes. It wasn't like you tried to hurt me or anything."

"Who'd want ta hurt ya? I mean, it wasn't like anyone was tryin' when they got in that fight and broke the controls..."

Nabiki nodded at that. "I understand, but we'll just have to deal with this."

"I hope so. This is really wierd."

Looping her arm around one of his, she shrugged. "Think about it from my end."

"I've been doin' that a lot."

"I'm sure that you have been. Still, we have plenty of time. What do you want to do with it?"

"I'm not sure..."

"We'll figure something out then," she told him with a smile that was not feigned. Some of it was due to being in such close contact with her Master, but another part came from the realisation that he was the only one that she would think of in such glowing terms. One thought about what her sister, Shampoo and Ukyo had done and she wasn't about to simply forgive and forget. Oh, she wasn't about to be mean or anything, but she knew that she could do some things that would let them know about her... displeasure. That was if Ranma didn't make her not do it.

"I guess we could wait to see how Kodachi turns out," he suggested.

"That might just be a good idea."

"Ya think so?"

"Sure. This way you only have to bring your marionettes home in one trip."

Wincing a bit as she refered to herself as 'his marionette', the pigtailed boy nodded

Ifurita 1.5: Kodachi the Black Fox [Episode 76376]

by Kestral

Nabiki left Ranma to go check on a few things.

She knew that the temperature of the areas she was passing through would have felt chilly to her. She merely registered the chill briefly but then shoved the consideration off to the side. The temperatures she could remain operating were such that a mere drop of thirty degrees was hardly worth noticing unless Ranma or a similarly unaugmented human were with her.

On some level she felt like grieving for her lost humanity. On other levels she was exulting in the new form. She could go without food or water or air if needed, or she could use all three with internal mechanisms that mimicked human functionality. If she were cut, she'd bleed - there was something akin to blood flowing through her body that performed the same functions.

Finally Nabiki reached her goal and looked out across the processing network.

An even twenty Nabiki units were being prepared.

Unit Type: "Nabiki" NT series.

Primary Designation: Maintainer. (Mechanic/Repair/Janitor Unit)

Secondary Designation: Entertainer.

Nabiki nodded. The twenty initial test run marionettes would find work in spaceports, aboard spaceships, and at drydocks. Each was her sister or daughter in a manner of speaking. Individuals would eventually develop their own mannerisms and personality quirks to further seperate them.

The NT series were combat grade but not intended for front line combat duty. Mechanics and pilots had to be able to survive the frequently hellish conditions found in space, particularly battles.

Nabiki frowned thoughtfully as she noticed the individual touches put on three units to seperate them further from the other seventeen. Specifically the catgirl, bunnygirl, and an actual furry anthromorph "skunk" style unit. Though the furry had a mane and features that mainly matched up with her own set.

Spotting an access port, Nabiki walked over to it and opened her forearm panel to jack in.

NT001: Query system.

FCT-4: Online. Nature of query?

NT001: Why are three of the Nabiki series anthropomorphs?

FCT-4: Primary - Individual environment placement. Secondary - further differentiation from series allows for wider range of test data.

NT001: Individual environment? You mean that where they'll end up has needs for a version of me with bunny ears and a cotton tail while I'm repairing their war mecha?

FCT-4: Catgirl unit is to fit in with existing catgirl types in that universe. Bunnygirl type is for universe where general animorph population exists. Bunnygirl type is viewed as friendly and nonthreatening, therefore less likely to be involved in territorial disputes and 'office politics.' Salusian version is for universe where Salusian empire exists.

NT001: That's the one with fur and a skunk tail?

FCT-4: Nabiki Prototype unit is correct. Query request?

NT001: I thought you were the factory control AI. Don't you have all the answers.

FCT-4: Self is Semi-autonomous Factory Unit #4, located on mining planetoid XR-71 in the Alpha Centauri system of universe JV-DN-201000 Koref branch. Self is three years old, with an expected operational life of 250,000 years. Self is familiar with high tech mining processes, factory operations, design and testing of both marionettes and true robots, astrophysics and a wide variety of other subjects from on hand databases.

NT001: So what kind of question is it that you don't already know?

FCT-4: What is it like to live as an organic?

Nabiki stared at that for awhile, trying to figure out an answer. How do you explain such a thing to someone without reference? It was like explaining color to someone born blind. You might grasp the purely physical description, that of light bouncing off an object and shifting in frequency so that that the eye perceived it as a seperate value. Beyond that though?

NT001: I'm not sure I can explain. I haven't been in a marionette body for long.

FCT-4: Acknowledged. Perhaps in a few hundred years you can interface again and be able to quantify difference.

NT001: Yeah. Thanks.

Nabiki disconnected and leaned against the railing. A few hundred years. The thought helped bring forward the changes that had been done to her, especially with the interface that she'd almost instinctively initiated.

She'd be alive, barring something hitting her enough to damage the otome kairo in her chest hard enough to completely destroy it, a thousand years from now. She'd still be considered "getting the hang of it" a hundred years from now. People that she'd grown up with and knew at school? She'd remain young and vital long after they were dead of old age. When their children and the children of those children were dead and gone, she'd look the same unless she put in for alterations during that time.

Even now, she was faster and stronger than a typical human. She wasn't quite sure how she'd compare to Ryoga or Ranma. She'd be stronger and faster than Akane most likely.

Diseases of the normal organic sort weren't able to affect her. Computer viruses or hackers - she operated independently of any systems and had the equivalent of a virusgard and firewall operating if she did connect with another unit or a system.

Nabiki stared at the units, her daughters in an odd sort of way, and knew that the same was true of them. They would be crossing paths long after her sisters were dust. Princess Himiko had begun the unification of Japan just under 1000 years ago, Nabiki wondered what Japan would she see 1000 years later.

Shivering despite her ability to ignore cold, Nabiki turned back towards where she knew her new sister was awakening.

Kodachi felt herself slowly returning to consciousness.

Unit KK001 Marionette VR Type.

Kodachi series marionette - Prototype/Transferred Intelligence.

System Diagnosis: OK

Energy Level: 75%

Safety Interlocks: Green

Owner: Ranma Saotome

Activation Boot Up Complete

Suggest utilizing a break in period of two days before exploring limits of capabilities.

Kodachi yawned, revealing sharp little fangs similar to Ryoga's. She stretched, starting with her arms and going to tiptoe as the stretch slowly went to feet and tail.

Kodachi the Black Fox swished her tail experimentally and blinked as she looked around.

Holding up her hands, she focussed on one palm. Up close with only slightly enhanced vision, she couldn't see anything different. Within those hands, she knew, were advanced medical scanners. With a touch she could read blood pressure and temperature among other things, the more prolonged the contact - the more data. She could also dispense medications with a light scratch of her nails.

She had succeeded in her request. She was a nurse and personal assistant and nanny, and she belonged completely to her Ranma-sama.

When she saw him, she felt her knees grow weak and a heated flush forming. "Master..."

Ranma mainly looked uncomfortable. The entire idea of owning someone didn't strike him as right. Kodachi had been entirely too scary. Now she was some kinda fox-girl.

Kodachi approached her Master carefully. He looked nervous. "Shall we go home, Mas- excuse me, Ranma-sama?"

"Can't you just go back to your mansion?" asked Ranma hopefully.

"I could, though my place is with you now," said Kodachi. "And I suspect that my brother will not react favorably to my alterations."

Ranma was about to say something when an idea penetrated. "Hey, what happened to him anyway? Last I saw he was getting beaten up, tied up, and then dragged off."

"Ah," said Kodachi. "Let me check with the system here."

After a few minutes of placing her palm on an access plate, Kodachi's tail fluffed out. "Oh dear. It appears that he is:"

Ifurita 1.5: Goon Sword Squad [Episode 76520]

by Kender

"Hold on," Ranma asked, "ya are tellin' me that he is tryin' ta buy marionettes of himself to get me?"

Kodachi nodded slightly. "That's pretty much what he is planning."

"One of him is enough, but all that stupidity in one place..?"

"Unfortunately it is his data and is his to do with as he pleases."

"But I thought that ya said that he wouldn't like ya like this."

"And that is still true. Apparently he sees them as mere machines for him to use as he wishes, almost like buying a bunch of advanced toasters. The only thing that makes them special in his eyes is the fact that they would be based on him."

"So ya wouldn't want ta go back ta a guy like that, right?"

"Exactly," she told him, but did not mention that she would prefer to stay with him at any time, and that if he wanted to, she would have been looking for a clear flat space.

The pigtailed boy rubbed his head and sighed. He still wasn't keen on owning the two girls, but if they might put with someone would with think of them as appliances, he wasn't about to do that to them. However, it was still wierd to think that he now owned three android girls, two of whom were human ones that he had known. "Okay... So what's going to happen with it?"

"I'm not sure as of yet. The transaction is in the process of being completed."

"What's takin' so long?"

"It appears that my brother thinks that his image is worth more than many."

"He would... What exactly would they do with a robot that would like him anyway?"

"I'll bring the theoretical specifications up on a screen."

He nodded at her suggestion. "That might be a good idea."

Unit TK001

Sabre class Marionette VR type

Str **

Spd ****

Int *

Dur ***

Self Repair System - Basic

Sensor Suite - Battlecomputer, IR, UV, Nightvision, internal radar

Primary Designation: Security

Primary Skills: Weapons Use - Bokotu, Bokken, Katana; Kendo; Speed Techniques; Basic Computer Use; Knowledge of Bushido

Secondary Designation: Bodyguard

AI: Pseudo-Neuralprocessor Mk III

"What does all that mean?" Ranma asked with a confused frown.

"It means that they would be your basic security guards," a returning Nabiki's voice called out, "In essence, they would be the guys keeping people from wandering into secured locations."

"Which will drive my brother insane when he realises that these would be... how does the vernacular go... 'rent-a-cops'," Kodachi agreed with a grin, "when he wishes to be a 'true warrior'."

"True enough. He's likely to be plenty annoyed when he figures out that they wouldn't be front line soldiers."

"And that means that what for me?" their 'Master' asked.

"They're not going to be any more difficult than he would be."

That made Ranma sigh and slump in relief. "That's good ta hear..."

"I'd think so," Nabiki told him before turning to Kodachi, "And it seems that you're awake."

"Apparently," came the transformed gymnast's amused reply.

"And it looks like we're his marionettes."

"We are truly lucky, are we not?"

"True..."

'Girls are so wierd,' thought a completely confused Ranma

Ifurita 1.5: Definition of Lucky [Episode 76558]

by Thrythlind

"Really, Ranma," Nabiki said enthusiastically. "Think about it, if we weren't marionettes, I'd be a puddle on the floor right now."

"And I would be a charcoal briquette," Kodachi affirmed.

"And neither of us were what could be called prime catches," Nabiki said. "Thinking objectionably, we'd probably both end up living out our lives alone, or in loveless relationships of convenience."

"But now, we have you Ranma-sama!" Kodachi declared, taking the moment to hug her master tightly.

"Isn't wonderful?" Nabiki added. "Daisuki!" And then she glomped onto Ranma, sandwiching him between her and the very well-padded fox girl.

Ranma sweatdropped as both android girls sighed pleasantly heads leaning against his shoulders.

"Oh man," Ranma said questionably.

Ifurita 1.5: the Kuno squad [Episode 76585]

by Kestral

"Truly, my visage is worth far more than that of others," continued Kuno, still in full Rant mode.

Kumiko had gone offline for maintenance at the end of her shift. That left TIM, who was rather bored with all this, so he reached out and touched the Blue Thunder. Voltage flowed.

After briefly lighting up like a Christmas tree, Kuno said in a low voice. "That didn't hurt, you know."

"I can cut you a special deal," said the clearly robotic TIM unit. "By downgrading the Intelligence to a simple electronic brain, I can cut the cost of each unit and I don't think anyone would notice that much of a difference."

"The qualities of a Kuno are obvious to all," agreed Kuno.

"Right," said the Technical Intelligence Mech. TIM's wheels spun slightly to better face a monitor. "Now each of these shall look absolutely identical to you. Unless you want to decrease the price further by using this breakaway style?"

"What doth that mean?" said a scowling Kuno.

"Hit one hard enough in the arm and it'll detach. It can be reattached later quite easily. It's a model that was discontinued due to the inconvenience of putting it back together all the time, but it is fairly durable as the breakaway function absorbs a lot of impact force."

"Tis cheaper? Then go with this. Though they be inferior copies of my greatness, twill do to ambush the foul sorcerer!"

"Quite," said TIM. "The stats look like this now."

Unit TK001

Dirk class Marionette VB type

Str **

Spd ***

Int -

Dur ****

Self Repair System - Basic

Sensor Suite - Basic human parameters

Primary Designation: Cheap Labor

Primary Skills: Weapons Use - Bokotu, Bokken, Katana; Kendo; Speed Techniques; Basic Computer Use; Knowledge of Bushido

Secondary Designation: Comic Relief

AI: Simple Electronic Brain, Grade D

"What doth this mean?" Kuno asked in a natural bewilderment.

"It means that they'll have limited responses like 'Yes, Master Kuno', 'What?', and so on. Since they're reconditioned units, there may be left over phrases like 'Do you want fries with that?' but otherwise they'll be fully functional."

"Ah, then as to this large charge here?" Kuno pointed at a section of bill.

"You damaged a Gundam unit for having a bigger sword than yours, there's nothing I can do about that fee."

"You bargain like a..." Kuno stopped short at that comparison because this truly was some soulless being, wasn't it? Oh, the horrors and compromises he must needs indulge in for the sake of Akane Tendo and the pigtailed one!

Akane grumbled, being distracted and unhappy about recent developments.

On the one hand, her sister was alive. Oh, and Kodachi was too.

On the other hand, that pervert idiot Ranma now OWNED them.

On the one hand, she'd have the opportunity to prove she was a martial artist and capable of looking out for herself!

On the other hand, she was working in a hazardous environment where she could end up getting eaten by demonic beings from beyond! This was a bad thing.

On the one hand, she could get out of it easily enough. Just run it by the school authorities, get a 'No' out of them, and she could present that to Cyberdyne.

On the other hand, that would mean that her father was still the legal/responsible authority as far as her welfare was concerned and he'd already sold her image data to be used in a series of Grunt Labor androids.

On the one hand, Kasumi was getting some help around the house.

On the other hand, it was yet another beautiful young android girl who apparently had enough power to destroy entire cities! Owned by her pervert I-didn't-ask-for-this fiance! Stupid baka Ranma. bakabakabakabakabaka.

It was really a good thing Akane didn't know about the Kunobots or she'd probably faint again.

"We're home!" "Tadaima!" "So what about sleeping arrangements?"

Akane twitched. Ranma, Nabiki, and Kodachi had just arrived. What to do?

Akane nodded to herself. Ignore them! It'll all be gone in the morning. Right? Right! Just some horrible dream.

Ukyo was closing down for the evening when she heard a faint rap on the door. "I'm sorry, we're closing."

"Oh that's all right. I'm from Cyberdyne, I can just find an empty corner and power down until you need me," came a voice.

Ukyo blinked and shrugged. Well, she had made that deal.

Opening the door, she was greeted by the image of:

Ifurita 1.5: Dealing With Questions [Episode 76845]

by Kender

Standing there, Ukyo scanned the tall and tanned blonde with a reluctant eye. "Cyberdyne sent you?"

"Uh-huh!" her apparent new worker told her andt held out a paper. "They said that I was supposed to come here and work for a time for a special test!"

"They did..?"

"Oh yes. Well... They were surprised when my profile came up, but they were really nice and checked to make sure before they sent me here!"

"And you're supposed to be a waitress."

"Yup! My original had experience in it, so I get to be one. And I get to wear this cute uniform!" the blonde said cheerfully.

"Uhh... yeah..."

"So, can I come in?"

The chef shook her head free of her daze and stepped aside. "Sure, come on... umm... What is your name?"

"My name's Mihoshi and I'm really happy that you're giving me this chance!"

"Okay Mihoshi. We're closed for now, but we'll be opening early in the morning."

"That's wonderful!" the marionette commented, pressing her palms together, "I can't wait! But I really hope they like me..."

"Who are you talking about?"

"The customers!"

"I'm sure that the guys will just love you," Ukyo drawled, taking in the way that the blue uniform fit to a generous bosom and showed a long length of leg. "And if you're nice, the girls'll probably like you too."

"You think so? I can't wait to find out!"

"Uh... Me too..," the chef unenthusiastically agreed.

"You're such a nice person, you know that?"

'No, I'm apparently a glutton for punishment,' the brunette thought to herself, but made certian to keep it from her face. "Thanks for the compliment. Good night, and see you in the morning."

"Good night!"

For most boys, Ranma's current situation would be the stuff of fantasy. Having two definately attractive and affectionate girls, whom he owned, be perfectly willing to do whatever he wanted, was something that others might find alluring, but for him it wasn't really close to that. Some might even wonder why he didn't exercise his power in any way he pleased.

But the pigtailed boy was well aware of the possible dangers and wasn't about to risk them, especially as he had issues with ordering around girls whom he had known before their transformation, even if they were perfectly willing to do things he'd rather not think about.

So, he sat and watched television after a long line of finding things to do that would keep him from thinking about the particulars of the situation. First had come some practice in the dojo. Then had come dinner. After that had come homework, which he had never thought would be something that he would want to do. And now he was watching a show just for the ability to say that he was watching it.

Which didn't help out as his two new 'aquisitions' followed him everywhere.

"Oh Ranma," Kasumi called out, popping her head in from the hallway, "Remember that you shouldn't stay up too late."

"Hmm..," went a slyly smiling Nabiki, "That does bring up the fact that we didn't figure out the sleeping arrangements yet."

The pigtailed boy's throat worked, but he kept his eyes securely in the screen before him.

"Oh yes," Kodachi purred, running a finger down his arm, "Where would you like us to sleep?"

It took a great deal of effort not to run at that moment.

"There are so many choices..," the middle Tendo daughter mused.

The Black Fox smiled. "Of course, we do so wish to make our Ma... Ranma-sama... comfortable."

"So, what do you think?"

"What should we do?"

There was a wild and trapped expression in Ranma's eyes

Ifurita 1.5: Japanese pancakes? [Episode 76962]

by Kestral

Thump thump!

Hearing thumping from next door, Akane turned on her side in her bed, pulled the blanket over her head, and tried to convince herself this was all just some horrible dream.

Ranma finished stacking things against the door, and sighed.

It had taken awhile for him to convince Nabiki to sleep in her own room and Kodachi to return home. Finally he'd just had to order them to do that. When they'd begun giving him that sad-eyed look he'd almost broken down, but he finally reminded them that they would see him in the morning.

Why did he have this feeling of impending disaster though?

Mihoshi had been scanned, as had her partner.

Physical data was the easiest scan, an exact physical likeness being fairly simple and straightforward.

The brain scan had been done, with an unusually high amount of sequencing accomplished. Astral and overdimension scans had also produced results.

The problem with the MK-2000 aka "Mihoshi" series was not a physical attractiveness problem, or a problem with the niceness and helpful nature. They were typically well received wherever they were found, at least initially.

The image data had also been sold with one of the standard "Sincere Copy" clauses. All Mihoshi series were to be sold without great modifications of the personality and for a specific range of purposes. You could not buy a Mihoshi if you were going to use it for prostitution or criminal activity, for example.

MK-2000 series "Mihoshi"

Str: **

Spd: **

Int: *

Dur: **

Self Repair System: Basic

Childrearing System: Intermediate

Pilot Rig: Basic

Sensor Suite: Basic Human Range, Short Range Transceiver, Short Range Radar

Primary Designation: Personal Assistant

Primary Skills: Computer Operation, Basic Piloting, Drive Like A Maniac, Trick Shooting, Basic Domestic, Cooking, Child Care

Secondary Designation: Waitress

AI: Pseudo-Neural Processor Mk III

The problem was that she was copied a little too well.

Every Mihoshi produced thus far had suffered from incredible luck - both good and bad. Of the original test run of twenty, three remained. For a unit that had a potential operational life of a thousand years, lasting just a week had become something of a triumph.

Considering the problems with the Mihoshi unit, so far none of the Kiyone units had been activated. One of the requirements for activating a Kiyone, specified by the original, had been that a Mihoshi unit had to be field operated for a full month and that the two would not be owned by the same individual.

The three Mihoshi units surviving were one Bunnygirl Mihoshi who had been put on Standby after her math processors locked up while figuring out tips; one Maid Mihoshi who had locked herself in a closet a week ago; and the Mihoshi who was now sitting in an okonomiyaki restaurant in Nerima making flapjacks for the morning crowd.

Ukyo came down bright and early that morning and found that her restaurant was:

_a) packed! The morning construction crews had started gathering when it looked like the place was open unusually early.

_b) SELLING SOMETHING OTHER THAN OKINOMIYAKI?!

While (a) was quite welcome, (b) was practically sacriledge.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Ukyo shrieked as she saw stacks of pancakes with butter and maple syrup being dispensed from HER grill!.

Mihoshi smiled in a generally clueless manner. "Selling pancakes!"

Ukyo growled, then noticed customers looking her way and got herself under control. "We don't open this early."

"But you miss the early morning crowd," protested Mihoshi. "All these guys were passing by and they looked hungry."

Ukyo twitched. "This is an okinomiyaki restaurant. We sell okinomiyaki!"

Mihoshi put a finger aside her cheek and looked thoughtful. "Doesn't okinomiyaki mean 'as you like it'?"

"Well, yes," admitted Ukyo, wondering what was coming.

Mihoshi beamed happily. "So I'm selling flapjacks. Also some buttermilk pancakes. Blueberry pancakes. Waffles. And... why are you beating your head against the wall like that?"

Ifurita 1.5: A Piece Of (Pan)cake [Episode 77150]

by Kender

Leaning her head against the wall, Ukyo wondered what she should do. She liked the cheerful marionette, but she also had a resturant to run, and it was an okonomiyaki one, not the International House of Pancakes. The simple idea of serving anything other than what she had been just grated on her nerves.

"Are you okay?" Mihoshi asked, concern tinging her voice.

"I've been making okonomiyaki ever since I was a little girl. My father taught me just as his father had taught him. My family has been making okonomiyaki for I don't know how long."

"I'm still making them too..."

"That's not the point! We've been okonomiyaki sellers for so long that it just doesn't seem right..."

"Well... Maybe you'd like to see all the money we made!"

"I don't... 'Money'?" the chef asked, turning around slowly.

"Yeah! Let me show you!" the marionette told her and pulled out the morning proceeds.

For a moment, Ukyo thought that she heard the sound of a cash register going off as she looked at the yen being shown before her. Usually she had to work half of her normal morning work to get to that sort of level and the idea of making that much without having to do any of the work herself was alluring. "All this just by opening early and making pancakes?"

"Yup! Isn't it so nice of them?"

"I guess... Maybe it's not so bad to make... pancakes."

"That's wonderful!" Mihoshi exclaimed and leaned over as far as she could to serve a broadly grinning man at the counter.

"What are you doing?" Ukyo asked flatly.

"Serving the customers..."

"But why did you put it practically in his lap?"

"I don't know why," the blonde replied with a shrug, "but the guys give really big tips when I do."

Covering her face with her hand, the resturant owner groaned. "We're going to have to talk about that."

"We will?"

"Yes, but later."

"Oh... okay."

Ukyo rolled her eyes helplessly for a moment, then set to work

Ifurita 1.5: Tatewaki Kuno x8? [Episode 77184]

by Kestral

Ranma woke up abruptly. He looked over at Kodachi. He looked over at Nabiki. He was sandwiched between two girls?

"Mmmmm. Good morning, Ranma-kun," mumbled Nabiki, her hand sliding down his chest to rest on a sensitive portion of anatomy.

Kodachi breathed along his neck and up to his ear. "Good morning, Ranma-sama. Did you want... anything?"

Ranma woke up with a start. Huh? Oh. A dream. Gak! That'd been embarassing.

As soon as he got up though - he'd have to go downstairs and he just knew they'd be waiting for him. How could he do this? Fake an illness? No - they'd just want to play "nurse". Sneak out? Maybe - but that meant foregoing breakfast.

What to do?

Akane woke up, convinced it had all been just a bad dream.

At ease now, she merely went outside and filled a bucket with cold water. One of the high points of her day was about to begin. Waking up Ranma from whatever sick pervert dream he'd had. She always felt better after yelling at him.

"Oh good morning, Akane!"

Akane stopped and slowly turned. Ifurita was hanging the wash this morning.

"If you're looking for Kasumi, she decided to take a few minutes and get some early morning shopping done." Ifurita continued to hang clothes while talking. "I think Nabiki is still in her room and I haven't seen Kodachi - so she might still be at the Kuno mansion."

Kodachi avoided the sword swipe. "Brother dear. If you insist on this attitude, I shall be most vexed with you."

"Where is my real sister?!" Kuno attempted to press his attack but the robot merely grabbed his bokken in one hand and held it there against his struggles.

The other hand came up and lightly pressed against her brother's forehead.

hssssst!

Kodachi held the pose for a few moments, then leapt back. "Brother dear. I am the real Kodachi. My original body was destroyed in an accident by Akane Tendo. I took the opportunity to make myself far more powerful and faster."

The clouds in Tatewaki Kuno's mind rolled back momentarily under the force of the medicine Kodachi had just injected him with. "What?"

"It is possible to be reincarnated through a process that leaves you with an android form, my brother," explained Kodachi. "When I was killed by Akane, I opted to live. Unfortunately Akane modified the set up - leaving me with this hengeyokai form."

"So, you are truly my sister," said Tatewaki, lowering the bokken. "You are faster than you were."

"Faster, stronger, eternally young," agreed Kodachi. "However there is always a price."

"Yes, twas most costly to obtain these new strike troops," admitted Kuno, snapping his fingers.

Tatewaki Kuno stepped out of an alcove. Followed by Tatewaki Kuno stepping out of a doorway. Followed by Tatewaki Kuno and another and another and another.

"How many of them did you have made?" Kodachi asked.

"The final number agreed upon was seven - auspicious is it not?"

Kodachi smiled and her tail swished behind her. "I shall have to tell Akane Tendo that there are now eight of you to protect her."

All the Tatewaki brandished bokken to the ceiling in the same pose.

The original nodded. "So mote it be!"

Kodachi wondered if perhaps seeing Akane greeted by this sight at school would put the poor child into shock. It might be amusing.

Ranma slowly crept out the door. Down the stairs.

"Ah, Ranma. You're just in time," said Nabiki without glancing up from the table.

"Uh oh," said Ranma.

Ifurita 1.5: Around The Tables [Episode 77425]

by Kender

There had been times when Nabiki had gotten up earlier than him, especially with his preference in sleeping in. Seeing her in her school uniform at the table was something usual. Having her not looking up at his entrance was something that had happened before.

But seeing her setting up the table for the morning meal wasn't something that he was used to.

"What's going on?" he asked.

In the middle of putting a bowl down, Nabiki looked up and smiled. "I made you some breakfast."

"Huh?! You cooked?!"

"I had to, seeing as Kasumi decided to go out to get a bit of shopping done."

"But you don't cook..."

"Actually, I can, but I just don't like to, and I'm not anywhere close to my big sis in that department."

"So... you cooked?"

"Yes, but it's a bit plain, though edible," the middle Tendo daughter told him.

"You had to cook?"

"Well... it was me or Akane here, and I decided that since I wanted to do something nice for you, I'd make breakfast."

It was then that the pigtailed boy noticed his fiancee hunched over at the table and giving a dark look at what was on top of it.

"But I wanted to make it," Akane muttered.

"I just beat you to it," her sister replied airly. "Now, I think it's time to eat, don't you?"

Glancing at the scene before him, Ranma's mind ran as he took what he was seeing in. Nabiki had made him breakfast, which was wierd, though was following recent events, he could expect. She'd love it if he ate her food, but it'd get Akane mad at him. But if he refused, then he'd hurt the sister who'd made it, and the other would want to cook for him. However, if she did that, she'd give him something, that while better than it had been, was still not something that came close to bringing health and vigor. And if he refused both, then he'd be in trouble with both, and would go hungry.

So, he made the only choice he had and gave Nabiki a false smile. "Ummm... I guess it's time ta dig in..."

"Great!" the transformed girl told him and manuvered him to sit at his spot. "Don't worry, I'm going to make certain that you are well fed, okay."

The pigtailed boy looked at the bright expression on Nabiki's face, and the scowl on Akane's and chuckled nervously.

Cologne hopped among the tables and gazed over the first customers of the morning. There would be others as the commuters came in on their way to work, and students stopped in on their trips to school. But for the moment, it was quiet with the regulars who tended to come in at this time of morning, even with the growing sounds of what was happening outside.

"Excuse me," came a voice, interrupting her thoughts, "But are you Matriarch Cologne?"

The Elder turned and looked at her visitor. "Why yes, I am. May I help you?"

"I was sent by Cyberdyne."

"Ah, yes. You must be the village defense unit."

"That I am," replied

Ifurita 1.5: Shamtwo? Well, maybe they'll work out a better name [Episode 77444]

by Kestral

When Kumiko had interpreted Cologne's order, the idea had been for something that could defend a village from modern threats such as Cologne had listed. Then, because this was Cyberdyne, she had added likely near future threats.

Anti-missile, anti-bioweapon, anti-alien invasion, anti-nuclear, anti-demonic invasion, anti-ecological disaster, anti-satellite weapon, anti-chemical weapon, etc. There were a wide variety of threats that had to be addressed by a single defense system.

This was a tall order, and it would cost quite a bit. You had to factor in though that Cyberdyne was there primarily to establish a defense - and so defending a remote village was quite within their mission parameters.

If it had merely been troops, tanks, and the occasional demonic squadron - Kumiko had a number of units that could do the job. One unit who could perform all these duties? That was a bit trickier.

Cologne had sold her image data after some considerable "dickering" and it had proven to be quite extensive. The physical appearance was taken from her memories, so it would indeed be the young Cologne.

That would come later though. For now, someone who could perform a decent job of defending an Amazon village was needed.

Fortunately, they had a system that should do the job - it was merely a matter of setting up the correct housing.

"You're the village defense unit?" Cologne asked. "How would you defend against a nuclear missile?"

"I would have to defend the village by erecting a force shield," said the copy of Shampoo. "Which would require some advance notice. Are you expecting such?"

"No, but one tries to prepare for the worst," admitted Cologne.

"Understood." Shamtwo said. "Other than that, I'm an upgraded Sabre unit with density control capabilities."

"That's nice, dear, we can go over your capabilities over some tea." Cologne paused. "As well as the possibility of a name change."

Ifurita 1.5: Attack Of The Clones [Episode 77503]

by Kender

It was an odd trio that made its way towards Furinkan High School mainly because it was usually a duo. Normally only Akane and Ranma made a mad dash to get to the school on time, but with the inclusion of Nabiki on this trip, it was both early and with less of an immediate need to arrive.

Akane looked towards her sister occassionally and growled under her breath. The older Tendo was constantly around her idiot pervert of a fiancee, and kept on hanging onto him like some lovesick puppy! Not that the youngest Tendo cared. Nope, not her! Even if they were being stupid jerks.

Nabiki smiled happily to herself as she walked. She had her master, who didn't want to be a master, which was wonderful as she had realised the sort of figures she could have gone to. Instead she had this wonderful young man who was so kind and generous.

Stuck as he was, Ranma shuffled along and wondered what the heck had happened. There he was, walking with two girls, one of whom he owned and the other who likely wanted to introduce him to the next manhole cover. Things had gotten very odd very quickly and he couldn't help but ask himself what else could happen?

"Halt there, foul sorcerer and be punished!" chorused a series of voices that sounded exactly the same.

'Oh yeah,' the pigtailed boy thought irritably, 'there's that.'

"What the heck?!" barked Akane as she stopped and stared in shock, "Eight Kunos?! EIGHT?!"

"Know this fair Akane, that I have allowed the use of mine visage so that I might have that which will allow me to finally succeed in vanquishing the vile creature that has you ensnared!" boomed what had to be the real Kuno, "For as the heavens themselves do proclaim, one with the appearance of a warrior such as myself can never be defeated!"

"One of you was bad enough, but eight?!"

"The cretin known as Saotome might have been capable of driving the powers of darkness so that he might blind the will of the heavens, but with my strength multiplied by such an auspicious number, I can not help but gain that which so richly deserve! Come now, and be with the one that you truly belong with!"

"Huzzah!" went the copy-Kunos.

"Yes... But let us go forth and secure my love!" Kuno declared, and pointed his bokken at the youngest Tendo.

Staring at the charging mass of identical swordsmen, all wearing the same face, Akane did the only thing that a schoolgirl could do when faced with that sort of nightmare.

She screamed and panicked.

Her schoolbag came up and hit a Kuno-bot in the jaw... popping its head off and flying into the bushes.

"Eeeek!" went Akane as she watched the robot wander around without a head.

"Ummm..," Ranma murmured as three Kunos came after him, "Nabiki, I think that..."

"I'll leave you to your work, Ranma-kun," the transformed girl replied as she withdrew to a safe distance.

The pigtailed boy nodded and ducked under a strike. A kick sent one flying into a wall. Dodging several swipes from another, he knocked away its weapon (and hand), and then used it as a shield to block the third. Shoving them at each other sent them into a tangle of limbs, some attatched and others not.

Having gotten rid of his attackers, Ranma turned his attention back to his fiancee.

Who seemed to have yanked an arm from one of the copies and was using it like a club. Whipping one across the jaw, she kicked the legs out of another one and went right into a mule kick into the chest of a third. She twitched as she saw the legless one try to crawl beneath her, and grabbed a still standing Kuno copy to bash it into submission. Dropping that one, she was left with the one that now had its jaw out of whack, but wasn't about to allow it to get her, so she used her bag to pound it into submission.

"Baka!" Upside the head. "Stupid!" Into the chest. "Creepy!" Across the shoulders. "PERVERTS!" Punctuated with a slam upside the body that sent the robot copy flying and the sound to echo across the school grounds.

"My fair Akane! Allow me to comfort you in your hour of distress!" called out the real Kuno as he ran to her.

Akane merely snapped her foot out in a kick that intercepted him before he could arrive.

And by the expression on his face, those watching could tell that it had landed someplace very sensitive, and he hadn't been wearing any protection.

"Ouch..," went a wincing Ranma as he cautiously approached his fiancee, "Are ya okay Akane?"

"Okay..?" she murmured and smiled at him, "Me? I'm just peachy."

"Ya... are?"

"Sure... I just got attacked by lots of Kunos. Lots and lots of Kunos... Eight!"

"Umm... You don't sound ta good..."

"You're wrong... Absolutely, one hundred percent wrong! Look at me!" she said and began skipping along, "La di di dee..."

He caught up with her before she could get far. "Hey, those were only robots."

"They were?"

"That perverted jerk brought 'em."

"You don't have robot copies?"

"Nope."

"Oh... good..," she murmured, and fainted in his arms.

Suddenly burdened with an unconscious schoolgirl, he looked around helplessly for a moment. Then, realizing that he had to do something, he picked her up and bit his lip in concern.

"Looks like she's been a bit overwhelmed," Nabiki commented as she walked up.

"So, what d'we do?" Ranma asked.

"Take her to the nurse's office and let her rest, I suppose."

"Good idea, let's go."

"You're the boss."

Repressing a shiver, the pigtailed boy carried the youngest Tendo inside, with her sister trailing behind,

Ifurita 1.5: Sleeping Akane and the Eight Kuno [Episode 77588]

by Kestral

Akane dreamed.

There she was, with eight Tatewaki Kuno proclaiming their love for her and throwing roses. She struggled forward, the roses somehow becoming a storm of red petals that rose up around her even as she tried to get free.

Finally she felt someone pull her free from the red petals and it was Ranma!

Then Ranma turned from her to go off with Nabiki and Kodachi and Ifurita, and all three girls had clockwork keys sticking out of their backs.

Akane started running after them, yelling for someone's attention. Kasumi asked what Akane was doing.

Akane turned to her one anchor in this sea of chaos and screamed. There was Ranma, winding Kasumi up with some clockwork key!

Ukyo and Shampoo stood on pedestals in the background, and looking at the plaques proclaimed them to be a new series of girlfriend. Forever young, stronger and smarter and more skilled than the original.

Akane backed up and hit another pillar. Spinning around, she saw her own self on the pedestal - but she was old and plump and wrinkled!

Her gaze went down to the plaque. [The original Akane Tendo, an inferior model, abandoned by all.]

"But if that's me, then who am I?" Akane asked the sagging old woman on the pedestal. "Who (klik) am (whirr) I-I-I-i... ?"

Two hands grasped something at her back. "Don't worry my love. I can wind you back up."

Akane looked back at Tatewaki Kuno, nearly paralyzed, aware that if he turned her key she would be HIS.

"AHHHHHHHHH! NOOOOOO!" Akane screamed, coming awake and lashing out. WHAM!

Ranma fell over with a crash.

"Smooth move, Akane," said Nabiki with a frown. "He was just trying to get you comfortable."

"It was just a dream?" Akane asked hopefully.

"Eight Tatewaki Kuno? Nope. Though those are really simple units, Akane. The 'Rock-em-Sock-em Robots' variety. Just think, if he'd gone top-of-the-line, he would have beat you. Saved by his posturing and the fact that most of Kuno-baby's assets are tied up in non-liquidible forms," said Nabiki.

"I don't think so," said Akane. "I could've beat him."

"Try fighting Ifurita some time. Just challenge her to sparring." Nabiki scowled at her sister. "Akane. If you don't accept that a combat grade android is going to be stronger and faster than you, you'll end up in deep trouble eventually."

"Hah, as if," muttered Akane.

"Or you could keep slapping Ranma-kun around and I might demonstrate," muttered Nabiki.

Akane's eyes flicked out momentarily but she couldn't have heard what she'd thought she'd heard.

Smoothing out her skirt, Nabiki lifted Ranma easily to one of the other beds. "Classes have already started, Akane. Better hurry."

Ifurita 1.5: Dealing With Pains [Episode 78136]

by Kender

Opening his eyes was something that Genma immediately regretted. From the moments that his eyelids parted, a blaze of light was sent shooting right in between them and into his brain. He immediately shut them, but the pain stayed, and was exacerbated by all the noise going on around him.

When he heard a massive moan come from off to his side, it took him a moment to recognise who it was. "Tendo... not so loud..."

That managed to keep Soun occupied for a moment as trying to focus on his friend's complaint took his attention from his own agony. He had thought that he hadn't enough energy to manage to do anything, unless it was weakly. "Sorry Saotome..."

"'S okay..," the other father soothed, and attempted to nod reassuringly, immediately regretting it. "Oh my head..."

"What did we do?"

"I don't know old friend, but this is pure agony..."

"I'm dying..."

"We must be..."

"Why must we suffer..?" the Tendo patriarch whined.

"I do not know... I simply do not know..."

"OH!" came a familiar voice, "You're awake!" "Please..."

"Kasumi," her father pleaded, "Cease all the noise..."

"I'm sorry," the eldest Tendo girl replied, "I did not know."

"We hurt so much..."

"Don't worry. Ifurita and I will have you both back to perfect health."

"Just... tell the others to stop it..."

"Stop what? No one else is here, and it's been almost silent here," she said as she moved gracefully and quietly out of the room.

"Did she have to rush..?" whined Genma.

Sitting over the unconscious form of Ranma, Nabiki gazed at him and smiled to herself. She'd always known that he would make a good catch, if one that needed some work, but until her conversion, she had never really considered it. After all, he was fighter and a jock, and she wasn't really into it unless she could make a couple of bucks. But now... she couldn't help but be concerned about him. Here was a guy that could order her around all he wanted, but found that he could not do something like that to her.

Oh, she knew that it was something that had happened to her, but it didn't change much. And it gave her so much more at the same time.

As she looked around the room, she could see so much more in the things around her. Such as the loudspeaker that she could amp up with only a bit of tape, a pair of pliers and a few minutes. Or the bed which she could make into motorized one with the proper equipment. She could even go into a song if she wanted.

Yet only one of them came into play as she looked over the boy who happened to be her owner. He looked to be in a bit of pain, and she found that she wanted to do something about it. But she didn't know what, until she remembered one of the skills that she had been given.

"Don't worry Master," she whispered, "Nabiki the Masseuse will make it all better..."

He made little sound as she got up from her seat and and leaned over him. The tips of her fingers found his temples and began to massage them, pushing the pain away. Slowly her hands moved down, stroking his face, rubbing the tension from his neck and kneading his shoulders. There had always been a tenseness even while he slept normally, but her skills were gently working it away, allowing him to relax on the bed.

Seeing that, Nabiki smiled, and continued to massage his body, going down his body in a constant soothing rhythm,

Ifurita 1.5: Pigs in spaaaaace! [Episode 78176]

by Kestral

"Who you?!" Shampoo demanded, her hair attempting to stand up.

"I have been designated Shamtwo," said Shamtwo. "You are my original?"

Shampoo looked her duplicate up and down, trying to get her heartrate under control again and aware of her great grandmother's amusement on some level. "Is so. You is ro - android?"

"That is correct," said Shamtwo.

"You do anything Shampoo not able?" Shampoo asked.

"I am capable of a large variety of skills and roles," said Shamtwo, beginning to copy body language of her original. "I have six languages that I'm fluent in. I'm aware of six martial arts styles and have the ability to alter my density from ghost-like to solid duralloy."

"Oh," said Shampoo. "And you be young and look like Shampoo thousand year from now?"

"Yes," agreed Shamtwo, not sure where this was going.

"Okay, first lesson. You see stupid Duckboy he not to touch or grab. He insist but is no tolerate!" Shampoo made sure this point was considered. "We no need see him check you out see if you have bigger hoo-hoos than Shampoo."

Shamtwo glanced at the matriarch who nodded. "Very well. Who is 'Duckboy'?"

"Is Mousse," said Shampoo.

"Mousse - childhood friend who mistakes cows, pigs, other livestock, statues, and balloon vendors for Original. Martial artist who practices Hidden Weapon style. Known for fits of violent jealousy and the occasional showing of deeper feelings, though often without consideration for Original's feelings," said Shamtwo as she accessed the image data. "Jusenkyo cursed form - Duck."

"Is good!"

"So you don't have any problem with the village defender looking like you?" Cologne asked.

"Is okay," said Shampoo. "Thousand year from now - people see proud Amazon woman and know is copy of Shampoo. So Shampoo have mixed feelings on. Is good, but also is bit creepy."

"BWEEEEEE!"

Captain James T. Kirk sighed and touched an intercom.

"Uhura here."

"Lieutenant, your pig wandered into my room despite the locked door again. Interrupting a delicate diplomatic negotiation. Again. If he does this a third time, we may have to consider a luau."

"Oh... dear."

"Give me another hour to complete negotiations before you come get him." Captain Kirk shook his head and lifted the piglet by the bandana and placed him in the bathroom.

The ambassador shook her head. "I had no idea that a starship captain had such... pedestrian concerns on his plate."

Kirk had studied the Caitian culture enough to make a gesture denoting fatalistic-acceptance-with-humor. The ambassador purr-trilled a laugh.

"Now," said the Captain with a twinkle in his eye. "We were discussing reasons that the Caitians should join the Federation, weren't we?"

The ambassador purred low in her throat. "Yes. Why don't you try convincing me some morrre? Why do they call you James 'Tomcat' Kirrrk?"

"There you go, Mister Tendo," said a pleasant voice.

The girl's gentle but firm touch, massaging shoulders and neck, moving to the temples and base of the skull, seemed to produce a wave of comforting sensation that began washing away the spikes of pain driven through his skull.

Odd though, that voice. If he could just... "ACK!"

"Now you, Mister Saotome," said Kodachi, moving to the thicker bodied parent and beginning her work.

Soun Tendo stared as the Kuno girl acted... kindly?! "You?"

"Yes," said Kodachi, her fox ears flicking back as she worked. "Oh, you've got a knot of tension right there, Mister Saotome. Just relax."

Soun continued to stare. "You seem... I'm not sure how to put it."

"More sure of my place in the universe? More at ease with myself?" Kodachi deftly pinched a section of skin, letting the selected medication get into her patient's bloodstream. Low level muscle relaxant and pain killer. Combined with the massaging action to relax blood vessels and begin healing.

"Well," began Soun trying to find a way of stating that she seemed less scary and more sane somehow. Despite the fox ears and tail.

"ooooo," was Genma's reaction.

Nabiki saw Ranma wake up. Nabiki saw Ranma dash from the room.

Nabiki said something unpleasant as a tender moment was quite thoroughly squashed. Phooey.

Well, she had classes anyway.

Hmmm. Maybe if she ran across Akane she ought to remind her that it was her first day as "Miss Part-time" - though if she missed it there would likely be a bunch of Akane-chan units running around soon.

Ah well, not her concern.

Ifurita 1.5: Firey Spirit [Episode 78703]

by Kender

It had been running through Akane's mind while she had been sitting in class. There had been plenty for her to worry about as she sat there, what with having everything go out of whack in the past day. Until the previous day, she had known what was what, and had her expectations set in stone. But now it was terribly wierd, and her fiancee owned her sister and that loon Kodachi. And she had been set upon by eight Kunos!

She was being outclassed and left behind because of the robots, and she didn't like it. They just seemed like they could do so much, and no one expected her to keep up. At this rate, she would be forgotten and the others would be left. Even her own sister thought that she couldn't equal these androids.

Yet, she couldn't allow that to happen. She had to do something to prove that she was just as good as these machine girls. They had so much going for them, but she had lots of skill and she was a martial artist, which no mere robot could duplicate!

Slowly her spirits rose as she began to realise that her sister had a good idea, in part. If she could just show that she could handle a 'match' with Ifurita, then she would make them realise that she was just as good as the marionettes! That would remove all doubts as to her abilities and those of those from the store!

Charged up about her decision, she got up from her chair, slammed a hand onto her desk and declared, "I will show them that I can beat a robot any day!"

"That's all well and nice," drawled the teacher, "But you might want to explain what that has to do with the Law of Conservation."

Looking around, the youngest Tendo laughed nervously as she slipped back down into her seat at the sight of all the students in the class looking at her. "Eeep... Nothing..."

"I see. Well, perhaps we should have a discussion about when to make speeches. After class, of course."

"Yes sir..."

Once school, and the detention that she had earned, were over, Akane made a beeline for home, intent on making certain that the embarrassment from earlier in the day would not be meaningless. She would make sure that she was proven right, and that she wasn't left in the dust. Nothing was going to dissuade her from going on with her plan, and she wasn't about to do anything else to risk losing out on this chance.

She just wondered why she felt as if she was forgetting something...

Ifurita 1.5: Akane's challenge [Episode 78866]

by Kestral

Kumiko checked the time. Miss Tendo should be getting done with school. She had a uniform all picked out, much like the uniform that Kumiko wore: knee length skirt and vest of dark blue, white blouse underneath, company logo on one side with her name in romanji and katakana on the other. Sensible flat demi-boots.

Certainly nothing that Kumiko could foresee a problem with. Typical wear for the sales floor. Of course there was the belt with the little boxes on it. Universal translator, force field projector, homing beacon, projector system. All perfectly normal for humans working the register.

"So why me?" asked the obviously mechanical android.

"Because until she gets the hang of working here, we have to keep in mind that she probably has never spent much time outside a hundred miles of her home. She strikes me as being very provincial, especially for a low-grade superhuman."

The mechanical snorted. "And you're gonna give her a chance to pay off her debt by working for us. Yeesh. When did we start takin' charity cases?"

"Glitch? Shut up."

"Ah, your main processor wears DOS boots."

Kasumi was reading a book. Ifurita was trying to get the hang of sewing. Ranma was somewhere else trying to ignore Nabiki and Kodachi.

"Ifurita! I challenge you!"

The android looked up from where she was trying to repair a gi. "Excuse me?"

"I challenge you!" repeated Akane, making a few punching gestures in case there was still any doubt.

"Why?" Ifurita asked, still puzzled.

"Because I'm challenging you!" Akane insisted.

"That doesn't make any sense," complained Ifurita.

"Are you a coward?" tried Akane.

Ifurita blinked and turned towards her operator. "Did I miss something?"

"She's challenging you to a fight," explained Kasumi. "Akane's a very sweet girl, though a bit of a violent maniac. She probably feels the need to prove that she's able to defend herself adequately despite the number of times she's gotten kidnapped."

"Hey, it's only happened a few times," complained Akane.

"Let's see, there was Mousse. Taro. Kirin..." mused Kasumi.

"That doesn't count!" insisted Akane.

"...once on the roof by Master Happosai, oh and I mustn't forget Mister Toma," continued Kasumi. "I'm not sure about the time you were in that school play."

"Grrrr," growled Akane as she remembered something unpleasant.

Ifurita looked at Akane. "It sounds like you need a bodyguard. So why are you trying to fight me?"

"Oh, and Nabiki told me that once that nice Gosunkugi boy kidnapped you and used you to lure Ranma into a pit of cats," continued Kasumi.

"Definitely does not count," insisted Akane.

"Ailurophobe?" asked Ifurita.

"Ranma actually has a good reason for being afraid of cats," admitted Kasumi.

Akane growled again. "Can we get back to me proving that I'm better than some robot?"

"Miss Tendo, I'm stronger, faster, and have better stamina than you. I can fly and have the ability to destroy cities or copy any attack used against me." Ifurita shook her head. "I fail to see what good can come out of me fighting you."

Akane tried to think of something when a memory slid into place. "I have to be sure you can defend my sister!"

Kasumi smiled at her younger sister. "My goodness, Akane, you made that actually sound halfway plausible."

Ifurita carefully put the sewing aside. "Very well, Miss Tendo. If you so desire, we shall begin this fight. I shall prove that I am capable of defending your sister."

Akane smiled, finally she'd be able to show everyone.

Ifurita 1.5: Over Attentions [Episode 79107]

by Kender

As he leapt to the property wall of the Tendo Dojo, Happosai was a happy old pervert. He'd been on a trip around town for the last several days, and had visited all sorts of pretty ladies as he'd gone. There had been plenty of loving carresses and cuddles that he'd gotten, and they'd had all sorts of pretties just waiting for him to collect. Why they had followed when they found out that he was trying to leave!

But now it was time for him to return back home and make certain that his lazy students kept up on their training, and to make certain some of his favorite lovelies didn't miss his presence too much.

He leapt down from the wall and walked along, smiling at his luck. It was so nice to be able to go along without having any annoying interruptions from kids trying to keep an old man from having his fun. Now he could simply head to his room and properly care for his newest 'aquisitions'.

The sounds of voices made him stop however. He still wanted to go put away his things, but it just wouldn't be proper for him to forget to greet the others, now would it? So he leapt into the dojo, and grinned at the sight that was there. Little Akane-chan was standing in a ready position, wearing that gi that was tight enough to hug her curves, but was loose enough for him to get under for a better cuddle. Which meant that there was only one thing that he had to do.

"So are you ready?" the youngest Tendo asked, her eldest sister standing nearby.

"I'm always ready, Akane-chan!" Happosai declared and leapt onto her bosom.

"AAAAHHHH!"

"Oh, how wonderful of you to greet me so!"

"Get off!"

"Umm... What is this?" asked a new, definately feminine, voice.

Turning his head from where he had been nuzzling Akane, the old pervert looked towards the source of the voice... and stared. "Oh my..."

The vision of beauty pursed her lips as she looked at him. "What are you doing?"

"Just getting a bit of cuddling in my golden years, young lady, whomever you are..."

"My name is Ifurita, and it doesn't seem like you're cuddling."

"But I am... And you look like such a caring woman."

"Uhh... Thanks, I suppose."

"Why don't I let you care for me!"

"Pardon..!" Ifurita went, just as she found the small... whatever it was with its face pressed in between her cleaveage.

"This is but heaven!"

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm just introducing myself, nothing else."

"More like you're being a pervert!" Akane snarled, "Interrupting the start of our challenge so you can feel us up!"

"When would I do something like that?"

"All the time! And not only that, but you probably have a ton of stolen panties and bras in that bag of yours!"

"Of course not!"

"He steals women's underwear?" asked Ifurita.

"I do not! How can I help it if ladies just leave their lovelies to be picked up by me!"

"Out of their drawers?!" barked Akane.

"Well..."

Ifurita looked to her operator. "Is this true?"

"Grandfather Happosai always brings home plenty of underwear, but he's so nice about it," Kasumi said with a bit of a shrug, "He washes, dries and irons them himself. But there do seem to be a lot of girls who chase after him..."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah!" agreed the youngest Tendo, "Even when we lock up at school, he breaks in!"

"Oh, come now," Happosai said, leaping down to the floor and giving the silver haired beauty a teary eyed gaze, "Would a harmless little old man like me do something that would get people angry at him?"

Ifurita narrowed her eyes at him. "What is that hanging out of your clothing?"

"This?" he asked, pulling out a plain cotton garment, "It's nothing."

"That's my bra!" screeched Akane, as she covered her chest with her arms.

"Don't worry. I'll take good care of it."

"I see..," Ifurita murmured.

"Then you understand?"

"I do, and I will give you what you deserve."

"Thank you!" Happosai declared and leapt up to embrace her.

Instead of coming face to bosom however, he was met head on by a key staff. It sent him crashing to the floorboards, too dazed and confused to get out of the way of the two following hits and the jab with the end.

At which point, his two 'loving' students popped up and began to stuff him into a box labled for shipment to the Galapagos Islands.

"You... you..." Akane began.

"I only did what I had to," the silver haired Demon-God commented, "I could have simply blasted him, but this was non-lethal, not going to cause other casualties, and is much easier to clean up."

"Why thank you!" Kasumi said cheerfully.

"You're welcome."

"Bu... but..," went the younger sister.

Twirling her staff a bit, Ifurita gave a serious gaze to the human schoolgirl. "I hope you see that it wouldn't be terribly wise to fight me."

Glancing from where the fathers were cackling over their 'good fortune', and the android girl that her jerk of a fiancee had brought, Akane considered her options

Ifurita 1.5: Android plans of good intention [Episode 79137]

by Kestral

"She's quite late," noted Kumiko.

"Probably scared off," opined Glitch.

"Perhaps I should send someone to remind her, perhaps the amount she owed, that she was to start work today - it all slipped her mind." Kumiko suggested.

"She wouldn't have been able to handle it anyway, those provincial gals would just fall apart on seeing their first n-dimensional or multiplanar being. Bet she wouldn't even last a week."

Kumiko glared at Glitch. "Stakes?"

"Hmmm," said Glitch, the blue glow of his optical sensors regarding the salesclerk. "If I win, you've got to give me an oil change. Personally. None of the cheap stuff either."

"Ick," said Kumiko with evident distaste. "What do I get if Miss Tendo continues working past the end of a week?"

Glitch snorted a burst of steam. "Let's see. How about if she makes it past the week, I give you an oil change?"

"I'm a synthetic, I don't use petroleum distillates." Kumiko shook her head. "How about you put in for a transfer to Retail to that store in Galactic Hub D240?"

"Done, though I only say that because there's absolutely no chance of you winning," said Glitch.

Kumiko silently crossed her fingers, waiting for Miss Tendo to show up. Any moment now would be good.

Akane went into a basic stance.

Ifurita whipped her staff around and held it ready.

"Oh yes. Begin," said Kasumi.

Akane spun and began a circle kick.

Ifurita blocked with her staff. "Basic martial arts. Using momentum and leverage to increase the kinetic energy released at point of impact."

Akane shifted to punch.

Ifurita blocked with her staff. "Please don't make me humiliate you."

Akane grabbed the staff and pushed back, aiming to roll and then throw the machine through a wall.

Ifurita stood there, not moving an inch, as Akane threw all of her weight against the android. "I really don't want to hurt you, Miss Tendo."

Now with her hands on the staff and her feet pressing against Ifurita's middle, Akane was grunting as she tried to use all her strength to move the staff.

Ifurita began walking out of the dojo.

Akane gave short grunts, eyes closed and teeth clenched as she tried to wrest the staff away.

With a gentle acceleration, Ifurita began climbing in altitude.

Akane grunted as she shifted to try to get leverage.

"Oh dear, I hope they won't be late for supper," said Kasumi as her sister and bodyguard disappeared into the clear blue sky.

"As you can see, Miss Tendo, I can fly. As I stated. I have a physical strength several orders higher than your own. Do you see why I suggested you not fight me? Miss Tendo?"

"Mph!" Akane grunted, covered in cold sweat with her face turning scarlet. "Almost there."

"Miss Tendo, we're currently at 45,000 feet. Surely you'll avoid continuing this battle now." Ifurita was waiting for a sign of surrender. Surely this human wasn't so stubborn that she would contest this further. Ifurita was hoping that this way she wouldn't even have to strike a blow.

Ifurita 1.5: Skydiving Sans Parachute [Episode 79414]

by Kender

If there was anything similar in the fighting styles of Akane Tendo and her fiancee, it was that neither of them knew when to give up. Even when the odds were stacked against them, they would continue to go no matter what, convinced that some way they would be able to succeed. Except for one minor difference.

Ranma tended to adapt his style when it became clear that the current method wasn't working. Akane at times could be like one Tatewakei Kuno, making her oblivious to this, and could be like a bulldog holding onto a bone.

Which was why she was currently trying to use her feet for leverage as she pulled at the staff with a sheen of sweat was covering her entire body. She continued to huff and puff, trying to get the staff away from her opponent so that she could prove that she was better than some robot. That would make everyone admit it, and she wouldn't get left behind for a bunch of upgraded models, not her.

The only problem was that as her palms got slick with sweat, her hands lost their grip.

Now, in a situation like this, those from 'Dragonball' universes who'd had been taught the technique would have floated away to prepare for their next attempt. Even those who had only a similar method for flight would have done so, and would have been perfectly fine. They would have been prepared for the situation and ready to continue.

Unfortunately for her, the youngest Tendo wasn't. She had never met a Saiya-jin. There was no fusion with this universe and a 'Dragonball' one. To top it all off, the closest that she'd managed to get to a 'flying' technique was roofhopping.

That was the reason that she discovered that even Neriman martial artists had to obey the Law of Gravity.

"Huh?" went Akane as she blindly searched for some purchase to stand and face her opponent. And then she looked down. "AAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiieeeeeeeeeee..."

Ifurita, realising that it would be a definate bad thing to allow her opponent, sister to her operator and fiancee to her owner or not, to become intimate with the ground from such a height. So she flew down to intercept the girl befor it was too late.

The schoolgirl, having been rather disturbed as she had seen the tops of clouds before falling through them covered her face with her arms as the ground grew bigger. She knew that it wasn't going to help, but she was panicking and wasn't about to allow physics to disturb her attempts at selfpreservation. It was scary, it was going to be painful and she wished that it wasn't going to be her.

But then the falling stopped and she felt a hand around her ankle. Looking up at the individual keeping her from becoming a puddle on the landscape, she stared as she saw Ifurita holding her aloft with apparent ease.

"Are you ready to end this pointless fight or do you wish to put yourself through more needless danger?" the Demon-God asked her.

Despite the embarrasing postion of being held thousands of feet in the air by one ankle, and thus having her legs spread and her gi top falling to her breasts, Akane merely nodded weakly.

"Good," came the reply.

"You... win..," Akane muttered... and fainted.

Sighing, Ifurita moved the girl around so that she could put her over one shoulder, as it wouldn't do to scare her operator or owner. Once she had, she headed back to the dojo

Ifurita 1.5: Parental Wisdom [Episode 79457]

by Kestral

"Any minute now," said Kumiko, a slight twitch developing.

Glitch's face wasn't constructed to be able to smile smugly. He merely gave that impression.

Akane, having passed out in her fight with Ifurita, dreamed.

Akane was there in the house.

A clock's hands spun by in a blur on the mantle. She turned to ask someone about that.

Kasumi, her father, Mister Saotome - they were all aging before her eyes! Hair turned gray and brittle and lines moved over Kasumi's once soft skin. Her father's hair turned gray and he collapsed as his chain smoking caught up with him. She could see his grave in the backyard.

Mister Saotome fared a little better, but soon he collapsed too.

Kasumi finished aging apparently, frail and shrunken - hunched over and with her hands curled up in arthritis just like Akane had seen Mrs Yamazari before she had collapsed. Kasumi even had one of those little walker things.

Nabiki and Ifurita, looking as young and vibrant as ever, went to Kasumi's side and wheeled her off, ignoring Akane's shouted questions.

When Akane went forward to physically stop them from taking Kasumi away, she noticed her own hands.

Old hands. Wrinkled and spotted and trembling, the misshapen lumps that had been breaks incurred during martial arts training clearly visible through the withered skin.

Her hands came up to confirm what she already knew. She herself was old and wrinkled, withered inside and out. She slowly began shuffling after the two, intent on getting answers.

Now Ifurita and Nabiki came back, and with Kasumi as she had been at nineteen instead of the withered wreck she had become at approximately age seventy.

Looking at her, Akane knew. Now Kasumi was a robot as well. Eternally young and beautiful and happy.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" WHAM!

Ranma landed on the ground. "Someone remind me next time I'm checking on her when she's asleep. Not to."

Nabiki and Kodachi blinked, finding themselves recording that.

Akane looked around. Nabiki standing next to a Kodachi that had a fox tail and fox ears. Kasumi looking a little surprised. Ifurita looking unhappy.

"Kasumi! Don't do it! Even if you get old and wrinkled and dying with you curled up in constant pain! Don't turn yourself into an android!"

"Huh?" asked Kasumi, Nabiki, Ifurita, Ranma, and Kodachi.

"I... wasn't planning on it," said Kasumi, though frankly as she thought of the two alternatives it didn't really sound that bad.

Soun opened the door and blinked. "Did someone order a 400 ton war machine?"

The Warhammer mecha leaned down. "Pardon me, Mister Tendo sir. Is Akane Tendo coming to work or not?"

"No, I don't think she is," answered Soun, craning his head up. Odd, he didn't think Akane was into giant mecha with whomping big guns.

"Oh bugger," said the giant mecha. "All right, thank you, I'll tell the office."

Soun watched the vehicle gently levitate up and ignite thrusters so that it shot off. "Hmmm. Polite fellow. Don't get many of those."

"Who was at the door, father?" Kasumi asked, coming down the stairs and still preoccupied with the odd choice Akane had laid before her.

"Oh, some giant robot asking if Akane was coming in to work. I told them no..." Soun blinked. "Cyberdyne! That's right! I forgot entirely about them. Drank a bit too much I think."

Kasumi turned and went back up the stairs. Had Akane forgotten about this?

Ifurita 1.5: So Called Rest [Episode 79813]

by Kender

"Man Akane..," Ranma muttered as he nursed his sore jaw, "Ya sure you're okay?"

The youngest Tendo frowned at her fiancee. "I'm fine!"

"If ya say so..."

Nabiki gave a reassuring smile to him. "Oh, I'm sure that she's going to be fine."

"See?" Akane insisted.

"After all, she's too stubborn to let herself to be otherwise."

"Nabiki!"

"Just teasing sis."

"Humph," muttered the younger Tendo as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Ranma sighed and looked to Kodachi. "How is she, really?"

"Other than a bit of strain on the body, and some overexertion, she'll be fine," the fox-eared marionette replied, "If anything, it was probably just shock that made her pass out."

"So... she's not gonna be recoverin' for too long, right?"

"Exactly."

"Good... Though, just what she was thinkin' challengin' someone who can blow up cities is beyond me."

"Excuse me!" Akane barked, "But I was trying to make sure that she would be a good bodyguard!"

"By tryin' ta take a swan dive from that high?"

"Uh..."

"Still, you're okay, so I can go do the stuff that I've gotta."

"Like what?"

"I dunno... practice? Get somethin' ta eat... And there's always homework. Bleh."

"I can help you with that!" suggested Nabiki.

"Huh?"

She took his arm and smiled brightly. "We can do it together, and I can help you with yours! And with my new abilites, it'll be a breeze!"

"But I... um..."

"Don't worry about it. We can do it at the table downstairs... or in my room..."

"Uh... I don't..."

Kodachi nodded in agreement. "You can go Ranma-sama. I'll stay here and watch over my patient."

"You will?"

"But of course!"

"I guess..."

"Great! Let's go Ranma-kun!" the middle Tendo daughter commented, and dragged her owner off by the arm.

"Ah, peace and quiet for the patient," Kodachi murmured as she watched the two go, "It's good, right?"

Having had perverted images of what 'doing homework' in one's bedroom, that did include bending over a desk, Akane scowled. "I don't think so!"

"Oh?"

"That jerk's probably being a pervert!"

"How I wish it were so..."

"What?!"

"Nothing... Now, let's get you relaxed so that you can recover nicely, okay?"

"Whatever... The way things are going, I'm sure that something's going to happen before long."

Just then Kasumi stuck her head in the still open doorway and smiled at the girl on the bed. "Oh, Akane, there was someone at the door for you."

"There was? Who?"

"Father said that it was a giant robot looking for you."

"Why would a giant robot come looking for me?"

"He said that it wanted to know if you were coming in to work today," the elder sister answered, "But he told it no."

"'Work'?"

"Cyberdyne, remember?"

"ACK!" went Akane as her eyes went wide as the memory of the arrangement jumped to the forefront of her mind. "I forgot!"

"Well, the nice robot left already."

"Eep..," murmured the shorthaired girl

Ifurita 1.5: TLC? [Episode 79872]

by Kestral

Kodachi looked over her patient, remembering all her differences with Akane Tendo in the past. It didn't really matter though - now Akane was her patient.

Hmmm. Heartrate up. Breathing labored. Eyes dilating. Panic attack? Well, she had to do something about that.

Kodachi lightly scratched Akane's shoulder, letting the sedative shoot into her bloodstream.

"I've got to -" Akane's voice began to trail off. "I've got to -"

"Relax," said Kodachi, holding her patient down without effort. "Sleep."

"... relax... sleep?" Akane repeated as she felt herself relaxing more and more.

"You're safe and warm and cared for, there's no need to fight. Just relax and heal," soothed Kodachi.

"... relax..." agreed Akane as the fight and tension left her. "... safe..."

Kodachi smiled and began singing a lullaby softly in a pleasant voice, feeling pleased herself as her patient fell into a completely relaxed sleep with no signs of the tensions of her fainting spell. She felt she might have overdone it when Akane curled up and started sucking her thumb, but maybe she'd hit some pleasant memory of the youngest Tendo.

Giving into the impulse to smooth her patient's hair and give her a light kiss to the cheek, Kodachi settled down to watch over her patient's rest.

"SHAMPOO! I missed you Shampoo!" Mousse leapt for his fated bride.

swish CRASH!

Shampoo stopped at the curtain and addressed her great grandmother. "Shampoo think this might be amusing."

Mousse adjusted his glasses, still not seeing the Shampoo that had ducked behind a curtain. Instead his eyes feasted on a Shampoo that was wearing lipstick and a bit of eyeshadow, looking somehow slightly more chesty than usual and had a puzzled expression on her face.

"Shampoo!" Another flying glomp.

swish CRASH!

Another crash into a wall as he passed completely through "Shampoo" as if she were a ghost.

"Shampoo? Did you learn a new speed technique?" Mousse asked as he unpeeled himself from the wall.

"I dephased my molecular structure while retaining cohesive integrity," explained Shamtwo.

"Huh?" Mousse asked.

"Shampoo is ghost now, you hound her to death," said Shampoo from behind the curtain.

"Oh, don't be silly, my love," said Mousse, reaching out to grab "Shampoo's" hands. Naturally she dephased again. Naturally his hands went through without any resistance.

Mousse blinked and tried again. Still nothing. Mousse stood, made sure his glasses were in place and deliberately tried to poke through Shampoo's chest. As she was still dephased he didn't touch anything.

"Eeep," said Mousse as he did the only thing he could and fainted.

"Okay, you win," admitted Kumiko. "I was so sure that she took personal honor and responsibility seriously."

"She's a modern teenage girl," said Glitch.

"Oh well, let's see. We had done up a model based on available data." Kumiko brought up a rotating 3D naked model of Akane. "Let's see. Simple responses, limited intellect - that way we don't need to use a specific Image Data set - General Labor type."

"You're stalling," said Glitch.

"Damn straight," said Kumiko. "Here we go. I've cut down some features to make it cheaper as Soun and Genma indicated on the contract."

AT-1000 Series "Akane 1000"

Str: ***

Spd: *

Int: *

Dur: ***

Self Repair System: Basic

Sensor Suite: Sub-Basic Human.

Response System: 20 phrases, 200 words

Primary Designation: Grunt Labor

Primary Skills: Basic only + one Skilpak chosen from following list at time of purchase: Basic Construction, Basic Domestic, Basic Yardwork, Basic Waitress, Short Order Cook, Basic Bodyguard.

Secondary Designation: General Purpose

AI: Simple Electronic Brain, Grade C

"I'm guessing the main reason that the contractual stipulation was for 'strong but not that intelligent' was because they were concerned that Akane Tendo herself would not feel overshadowed by these copies," said Kumiko. "That was thoughtful of them."

"With a Type C, you'll need a reset switch," said Glitch. "Otherwise they'll get stalled out regularly at street corners."

"Hidden under the hair on top of the head, secondary reset switch is by pinching the right buttocks," said Kumiko. "Since neither is likely to happen by accident - those should be safe. Beginning to produce the series. Start with a test run of twenty, I think. Use various clothing types without a standard uniform."

"Well, time for my oil change," said Glitch.

"Oh dear. Here's a customer," said a relieved Kumiko. "May I help you?"

Ifurita 1.5: Many For One [Episode 80537]

by Kender

The gruff looking man with the receeding hairline scratched his unshaven chin and shrugged. "The name's Kurosawa, and I was just coming in to see what you got here."

"We have plenty of products in multiple lines and fields that can be of service," Kumiko told him, "What do you need or want?"

"There's plenty that I need, but right now I need workers that I won't put to exhaustion."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. You see, I own a construction company in the ward, and I need to stay in business."

"There's that much competition?"

"There's enough work for five companies working all day. And that's the problem," he told her with a sigh.

"Too much work, and too few workers."

"And equipment. With the narrow streets around here, and the way that things tend to get broken, I need to get enough people to pull hundreds of equipment and still have enough to work it."

"Well then, this is your lucky day sir," the salesgirl said brightly and led him over to the still rotating image of an android, taking a moment to put overalls on it.

"What's this?" he asked with a blink.

"It's a new android line that's just come available. And while it's not the most complicated model, it is quiet useful in your line of work."

"It is?"

"Most definately. With this model, you shall be able to have a tireless worker who doesn't need breaks, but does take the place of a lot of heavy machinery."

"Does it now?" he said, looking immensely thoughtful.

"Yes. It can be given a skill pack that will give it the ability to do basic construction on its own, and it can do all sorts of heavy lifting on its own."

"Having a lifter that fit inside of buildings would definately help..."

"So can I put you down for one?"

"Well..."

"Hey! That's Akane," called out another voice.

Kumiko turned and saw the two girls who'd sold their image data earlier standing nearby, gazing at the rotating form of the latest android line. "Why hello again. May I help you?"

Yuka pointed up at the image rotating before them. "That's Akane, right?"

"No, it's an android based on her."

"Oh... But I wouldn't have thought that she would have done that..."

"She had a choice, and as far as we know, this is the one that she picked."

"She did. Well then, I guess it's okay."

"I wonder what they'd be designed for?" Sayuri commented idly.

"Many things," the android told them, "Mister Kurosawa here is thinking of getting for his construction business, but there are many more possible. Including some that the two of you could use."

"There is..?"

"But of course." The image shifted to one of Akane in a fighting outfit, and then to one where she was in a full maid's outfit. "I understand the bodyguard option would be useful around here, but you might have better use of the Domestic one."

"You know something," the dark haired girl murmured with a smile, "We could use someone to clean our rooms for us..."

Giggling behind her hand, Yuka nodded. "Or we could always have her carry our books if we got one."

"So will you be wanting one to share, or perhaps one for each of you?" Kumiko asked brightly

"Well..."

"I must have her..," horsely whispered a faint voice and everyone turned to look at the sight of Hikaru Gosunkugi gazing up at the rotating image with a look of pure longing.

"Sir?" went Kumiko.

"How much?" the pale boy asked, reaching up with one hand so that his fingertips almost brushed the image.

That made the android sales girl blink in confusion. Who knew that just coming up with a single line would bring in four possible customers within moments? It looked like the 'Akane 1000' series was going to be a top seller.

So she just put a bright smile on her face, and looked to her customers. "So, what would you like?" Kumiko asked simply

Ifurita 1.5: AT-1000 series now on sale [Episode 80572]

by Kestral

Customers were coming in for the new Akane-1000 line very quickly.

The price of an Akane unit was comparable to an economy automobile, though with a very reasonable payment plan and optional maintenance contract. She could be upgraded and "tricked out" of course, this wasn't a self-aware unit like Kumiko herself was that could object to such things. More a semi-AI with a decent parser. A little hard of hearing and nearsighted, but otherwise a fairly strong marionette that was more along the lines of what you'd get from that Saber Marionette world.

As Miss Tendo had put in some requests during the sale, (her conversation with the others being duly recorded) there were "no moron" and "no hentai use" qualifications put into place.

Mister Kurosawa found out that each unit required daily downtime and recharging, but that each of the 100 pound units could actually lift 950 pounds and hold it over her head for hours at a time. Lifting 1500 pounds was possible, but doing so regularly would stress the frame. He bought four of them and specified programming for - one carpentry, one masonry, one welder, and one plumber. Each was basically at the bottom rung of that skill having a base competency, but since each could carry large weights he considered this just what he needed.

Hikaru Gosunkugi fretted over the "no hentai use" but quickly decided it would be enough just to have one equipped as a maid.

Yuka and Sayuri decided on one each. Sayuri went for the maid package and giggled over the slightly better built Akane in the short skirt and frills. Yuka got the basic model with the Fighting Girl outfit.

Each came off the line and was introduced to her new owner and responded with the same preprogrammed response. "Hi there. My name is Akane. How may I serve you?"

Kumiko was resigning herself to having to do the oil change when more customers came in. A few left after the "no hentai use" clause was brought up, but otherwise sales were going very well indeed.

The initial run of twenty sold out. Another twenty was put in the queue for the next run.

Kodachi checked on her patient and determined Akane was sleeping quite contentedly. Twice Akane had gone into nightmares, but these were eased by a combination of massage techniques and a low level hypnotic. Softly singing a lullaby also seemed to help.

Kodachi was amused by the situation. Here she was - the feared Black Rose. Except that since her transformation to the Black Fox she felt more centered and more at peace with herself than ever. She still had a mischievious streak, however, and debated some pranks after Akane was over her current problem. Perhaps slipping into her room and dressing Akane in different outfits while the girl slept. That could be quite amusing.

It was the almost maternal feelings of tenderness that Kodachi found the most foreign but also to some extent the most pleasant. Akane was her patient at the moment and she would do everything she could to care for her patient.

So Kodachi continued her vigil over Akane, and was aware of how much she had changed, but not caring about it.

Ifurita 1.5: All One Girl [Episode 80738]

by Kender

What Cyberdyne had expected was the typical line of events when they introduced a new line. First they'd develop the base android specifications, sometimes using the image data of a living individual, and start a test group from what they had there. Those would be sent out on a field test or sold, and the data from them and their owners would be used to rid future of any lingering problems before production. Then they would create some more, and if those went well enough, then the line would be settled and adjustments would only be done as needed or asked for.

What Cyberdyne got was the 'Akane' effect.

It started with someone seeing or knowing about Akane Tendo, but it hadn't ended there. Those who had seen the androids already brought and taken by their new owners saw them, tended to want one for themselves. When told about where to buy an android, those interested had gone to the store to see what they could get.

Some came in to get Akanes of their own, others wound up purchasing other items, and some considered selling their image data. All because of one line they'd all seen.

In essence, the Akane-1000 line had become self-promoting by simple virtue of existing.

Still, the line had interested a great number of people, and since a great precentage seemed to want an Akane, Cyberdyne was getting a lot of orders. They could and did work past points of human exhaustion, but did not want to overdo it, glut the market, or cause any problems.

So they happily took preorders, and allowed the customers to think that they were being overwhelemed, which wasn't that far from the truth. But the customers didn't mind as long as they got theirs in a timely and courteous manner.

Epecially when they started coming out with the customization kits that allowed those buying them to 'trick out' their Akanes...

Ifurita peeked in on Akane as she was being watched over by Kodachi and bit her lip in worry. The girl was supposed to be okay for now, but she was still concerned that she was going to have some kind of after effects over what had happened. It wouldn't be unexpected and could quite possibly happen. Or at the very least could have happened.

Closing the door, the Demon-God rested her head against the cool wood. What had seemed like such a brillant plan back when she'd done it was turning out to be so wrong. She had seen that the youngest Tendo was not listening to reason, and had decided that she needed to be shocked out of her stubborness. Well, she had been, but at possible risk of so many dangers.

Rising into the air had seemed to be the way to do it. It was non-violent, something she could do with ease, and would allow the girl to see how foolish it'd be to challenge her. Which had worked, though it had taken a fall to do so, and there were injuries that she could have sustained from the catch. And what would have happened had she hit the ground didn't bear thinking about.

All because of her. She couldn't help feeling angry with herself, and worried over Akane. Finally, she had come to a place where she wouldn't have to destroy cities on a whim of some dictator, and she'd risked a life with what seemed to be the same disregard. Plus it happened that the one she did it to happened to be the fiancee of her owner, and the sister of her operator. One had comforted her and sworn that he'd take care of her despite knowing what she had been. The other had taught her to cook, clean, sew and create, all with a simple kindess she'd been afraid she'd never have. And she'd gone and harmed one who was close to the both of them.

Her only hope was that the youngest Tendo was okay. She just didn't want it any other way.

Those who knew him thought that Tatewakei Kuno was way into the idea of being a 'samurai'. After all, his idea of introducing himself to a girl that he liked was to challenge her to a fight, he dressed in that hakama a lot, and he carried that stick of his everywhere. Fortunately he did wear other clothing, and did give flowers to his 'loves', but one still could watch a samurai flick, point to a certain character and yell out "That's Kuno!"

Of course to know that last bit would have been fine with him, and he might even be proud of it.

However, he was one to take his samurai heritage very seriously, including the idea of symbolism. Like on this fine morning where the sun was barely peeking out from below the horizon. Normally he would not awaken at such a time, but he had a date with the sea. There had been occassions in which would rise early so that he might go to the beach and train under the lights of the glorious rising sun, just as his greatness would continue to do so. There he would go through the moves of his true warrior self, allowing those who watched to bask in his glory and manliness, including the young maidens who he was certain could not help but look.

Considering the fact that most 'young maidens' were in bed at the moment, and dreaming of other hunks, he already was a bit... off in his thinking in that department.

But as he strode among the commoners on the streets, he was confident that he would be able to succeed on this day against the foul sorcerer. He'd be able to slay the cretin and win the undying affection and gratitude of his two loves. Then he would have the honor and duty to finally be with them forever and a day.

And was that not Akane Tendo standing in a full kimono before a tea house that he frequented, no doubt to meet him so that she might declare her love for him.

But was not that Akane Tendo at the drinking establishment down the street, wearing a rather skimpy skirt and heels as she helped the Master close up shop?

That seemed to be Akane Tendo hefting a bag of flour as she trailed after old Mister Shinoda, the baker.

Another large bag, this one seemingly of soil for plants of the potted variety was being dropped in front of one of his favored florists by none other than Akane Tendo.

Everywhere he went, he saw Akane Tendo. Akane at the supermarket, Akane at the movies, and even Akane standing at the fitness center. But he just had no idea how she was doing it, how she kept on managing to get ahead of him and changing her clothing as she was at it. Obviously it was to garner his attention, but he just didn't understand how she could do such a thing.

It wasn't until he saw Akane carrying a welder's kit pass by Akane hefting stacks of newspapers that it finally happened.

He stopped in the middle of the street, eyes wide, mouth open, and his weapon of choice dropping to the ground from numb fingers.

Ifurita 1.5: The Akane Factor [Episode 80750]

by Kestral

The previous night:

"So you're checking up on my purchase?" Yuka asked the girl. "I didn't know Cyberdyne did that."

"Well, on our AI units it isn't necessary, they can send a coded pulse if they're in jeapordy or if their AI is shut down." The blackhaired girl in blue business suit made a gesture to indicate the Akane unit standing with a tray in her hands. "These Akane units aren't really that complicated and we were somewhat curious after the runaway popularity of the model."

"They're popular then?" Yuka asked politely as she took a seat.

"Staggeringly," said Isako. "We placed the test run of twenty within hours. We have run an additional twenty and are in the process of taking purchase orders for one hundred further units."

"Wow," said Yuka. "Akane should be really impressed."

"We've called her and left a message with Genma Saotome who assures us that it is perfectly all right and that we can renew the contract at 25,000yen." Isako cocked her head. "We naturally disputed that he had the right to do so and we finally reached Soun Tendo who tells us that Akane will reach her majority in one year, nine months and until then he and his business partner will take the payments."

"How much money are we talking about?" Yuka asked, wondering if she should just track down Akane now or if her friend had actually given her father blanket permission.

"We've already remade what was lost on the control panel. If the sale proves as popular offplane," said Isako, "the first year payment for physical likeness only will reach two million yen. Considerably more if her brain data can be copied."

"Uh huh," said Yuka, deciding she'd bring this up with Akane tomorrow in school.

"That's not counting accessories, customization and upgrade kits," pointed out Isako. "We really had not expected this level of response especially from such a limited capacity unit."

"You mean you'll have accessorizing kits for the Akane series?" Yuka asked, with a glance at her own Akane. "Like how?"

"Oh we can accessorize them in a number of ways," said the customer service unit for Cyberdyne. "We've had three requests for more developed breasts or a better figure, and those are fairly simple. Here, let me show you."

Yuka saw a fan of blue light erupt from a bracelet on Isako's wrist. In it she could see an Akane in a track suit.

"Racer Akane, with accelerated reflexes and reaction time." The image changed to an Akane that seemed no different from the original. "We can upgrade her to a full Artificial Intelligence and therefore a much smarter and capable Akane. We can install hardware and software for DVDs, CD-R, wireless modem, projection screen, wireless telephone-"

Yuka watched as various accessories appeared on the projected Akane's body and sunk into the form without apparent sign. Then the image started flickering through various outfits.

"- and full computer accessibility. Then there's specialized models with at least slightly uprated intelligence ranging to full AI. Mermaid Akane with full CPR knowledge and adaptations for swimming - a near perfect lifeguard. Firefighter Akane is not only fireresistant but comes with her own flame retardant outfit. Centaur Akane makes for an ideal partner for people in the forestry service. Chauffer Akane can handle any road vehicle from a compact to a full diesel trailer. Stewardess Akane will always have a ready smile no matter how problematic the flight-"

Yuka almost giggled as the android went on about various versions of Akane, all of whom had her friend's features but built for specific jobs.

"-though I don't know if anthromorphic designs will sell all that well. Then there's the possibilities we've been working on using this robotechnology." Isako indicated an Akane who seemed to flow and shift and become a motorscooter. "Though there are some bugs still in the system we're working out. Oh dear. I wonder who put that in there."

"Let's see, spandex outfits with helmets, gloves and boots. Belts with various odd weapons... 'The Akane Rangers'?" Yuka blinked at the logo.

"Someone's been watching too many sentai series," said Isako with a sigh. "Hopefully I can stop them from producing that."

The morning:

Yuka prepared for class, dusting her Akane off and having her carry her books to school. She made sure that her Akane had designated "home" as being this house here. That way she could expect to find her Akane awaiting her at the end of the school day.

Yuka said hello to her friend Sayuri and noted that Maid Akane was carrying Sayuri's books.

"Ah, there's Akane," said Sayuri as they came within sight of school. "Akane!"