Body and Soul



Body and Soul is the sixth of the first volume of the Ranma ½ manga and is the fourth chapter in the Tatewaki Kuno Intro Arc.

After Kuno declares his love to the Ranma's female form, Ranma begins to have vivid nightmares about Kuno telling Ranma he loves her. Meanwhile, Nabiki sees a way she can gain from Kuno's love for Ranma's female form and Akane.

The Nightmare
Ranma finds himself in a Hot spring when the water begins to churn up and a very large Kuno appears out of the water, holding a bouquet. Kuno then says that he loves Ranma. Ranma calls Kuno an idiot and tells him to look that he is a boy. However, Ranma then looks at his chest and sees he's changed into his female form, much to Ranma's shock and surprise. Kuno then begins to tell Ranma to go out with him, which causes Ranma to shout that she is a boy. Ranma then tries, and fails, to swim away from Kuno who then grabs Ranma and picks her up. Kuno then tells Ranma once again that he loves Ranma. Ranma then wakes up in his room as birds sing outside, realising that it was all a dream. He then remembers Kuno telling him that he loves him again.

A Little Later
Ranma and Akane are running trying not to be late for School again. As they both enter the school grounds the usual mob of male students meets them. However, Akane and Ranma manage to deal with the students very easily as they continue to run into School. Kuno then appears carrying his Shinai, but Akane and Ranma kick Kuno in the face simultaneity which easily knocks Kuno down to the ground. Akane then turns to Ranma and says that he doesn't have to fight her battles for her. Ranma replies that he's not doing it for himself, he then thinks to himself what a pervert Kuno is and that he thinks he's going to be sick.

In Class 2-E
Kuno drops a toy Panda on Nabiki's desk. Nabiki asks what it is and Kuno says that it is a gift. This causes Nabiki to reply that this isn't her "style". This leads Kuno to say that the gift isn't for her and is for his "goddess in pigtails", Nabiki is humored by this and spits out he drink onto Kuno's face, much to her and Kuno's displeasure. Nabiki then brings out a set of photographs and spreads them across the table, all of which are pictures of Ranma in his female form. Nabiki then tells Kuno he can have a set of five for ¥3,000. Kuno is shocked by how "defenceless" the pigtailed girl is, which Nabiki compares to as kind of like a boy.

Nabiki then goes on to say to Kuno that he's really something, with him dropping Akane for his new "pigtailed girl". Kuno asks how Nabiki gets the impression of him dropping Akane. This causes Nabiki to look at Kuno fiercely and ask that Kuno's not planning on two-timing Akane. Kuno replies by saying that Akane is so pure and tidy, while the pigtailed girl is bursting of health and beauty and that both of them are so dear he can't give either of them up. He then asks Nabiki if she calls it "deceit" if he excepts them both, Nabiki replies that no she doesn't call it deceit she calls it two-timing. Nabiki then puts down photographs of Akane training and tells Kuno a set of five will cost him ¥3,000. Kuno comments on the ferocity of the photographs and says that he'll accept Nabiki's prices.

Afterwards
Nabiki goes to class 1-F and tells Ranma that Kuno wants him, while Akane looks on in confusion. Ranma then goes outside and asks Kuno what he wants, however, Kuno says that it's "Upperclassman" to him. Kuno then gives Ranma the toy panda and asks why he has to give the present to him in order for it to reach his pigtailed girl.

Cast in Order of Appearance

 * Ranma Saotome (male)
 * Tatewaki Kuno
 * Ranma Saotome (female)
 * Akane Tendo
 * Nabiki Tendo
 * Genma Saotome (panda, in photograph)
 * Kasumi Tendo (in photograph)
 * Soun Tendo (possibly in photograph)

Quotes

 * This sweet treasure... I save for my goddess in pigtails! - Kuno telling Nabiki who the toy panda is for.


 * Now look what you made me do. What... I... made you do? - The conversation between Kuno and Nabiki, after Nabiki spat out her drink from hearing who the toy panda is for.

Trivia

 * When Kuno saying he loves Akane and the pigtailed girl so much he can't let either of them go traditional representation of Yōkai can be seen in the background.