Her Hand in Mine The first book in The Heart of Ranma Trilogy By Lord Overon : www.geocities.com/tokyo/fuji/1912/Lord_Overon.htm "Take that ya pervert!" shouted Ranma-chan as she punted the lecherous old man who dared to grab at her chest. "You'll pay for this Ranma! I swear it!" shouted the old freak as he disappeared into the skies above. "Whatever," replied Ranma to no one in particular. "Come on Akane, let's see what's for lunch!" *********** Happosai landed in a clearing. He looked around. There was something familiar about this place. The weeping trees almost touching the ground, the fresh smell of newly blossomed flowers, the gentle cool breeze that caused the trees to sway with a soft delicate dance. All this was lost to him as he saw the two large rocks jutting out of the ground. They had an uncanny resemblance to a broken ring; the solid circular rock broken by a cleanly cut chasm. And Happosai remembered...he remembered who lived inside those stones. Happosai smiled. He would have his revenge. ********** Ranma and Akane followed their daily routine that day. They traded insults and tried to ignore each other. During the day Shampoo had found Ranma and so had Akane's mallet. If they had known they were being watched, they may have avoided all that, but they did not know, so they did not act. And the fates wove their silken threads... "You see!" cried Happosai, "Look how he treats the poor girl. He has so many fiancées! I can hardly count them on my hand," exclaimed Happosai, clearly leaving out that they had all been arranged by Ranma's father. Happosai could see the anger growing on the face of the vengeful spirit. He played with her anger, drawing out her emotions This spirit was a woman's spirit: a spirit that had been cheated upon by her husband during her life. She had vowed to protect any woman she could. The fury showed in her eyes as the kind old man, who had summoned her, told her of this boy's conniving schemes. This boy had trapped so many girls. So like her husband in every way, trapping all the girls with his physical charms, then abusing their sense of honour. He had been promised by birth to the girl he was living with and he constantly cheated on her, right in front of her eyes. The nerve of the boy! According to the old man, the boy had trapped the Amazon girl by using her laws and also the chef by taking her dowry. He had even seduced another local girl using magic she assumed. No person could become that unstable without some spell being wrought. The old man had told her that the boy had many many more fiancées, but as he got bored with them, he just let them go, just like that. Happosai could see the anger growing on the spirit's face, now to reel her in. "...And the boy, he even beats up his own grandfather, just look!" and he showed her where Ranma had punched him. It had not healed since Happosai had intentionally removed himself from the presence of any ladies. Now all Happosai saw was fury, pure fury. "And what punishment do you think is appropriate?" asked the spirit. "Well he has a curse that he hates..." "What curse is this?" "Well he turns into a girl every time he is splashed with cold water..." The spirit smiled. A smile filled with the revenge she promised those who would hurt her daughters. "How fitting, he is cursed to become the exact thing he prey's upon." With that, she disappeared from Happosai's view. He did not know how long it would take the spirit to carry out his revenge. Time meant nothing to them. Just then, a very attractive woman in a very revealing dress passed by. Happi just couldn't resist. "Sweeto!" "Ack, a pervert!" cried the woman as she ran away from the rapidly gaining old leach. ************ Ranma cursed his bad luck. Kasumi had volunteered to baby-sit some lady's child tonight and had left too early to prepare supper. As a result, Nabiki had paid off someone to invite her over for the night, and pops and Mr. Tendo had run off on a hastily planned camping trip. Cowards! That left him, only him, to try and stomach Akane's cooking. She had been in the kitchen for hours, and Ranma's stomach was pleading for him to come to his senses and leave. He knew that both Ucchan and Shampoo would readily shower him with delicious food, but Ranma vowed that he would at least try whatever Akane cooked. He owed her that much. Then he could insult the food, if he wasn't dead already by food poisoning. Bile churned in his stomach as he heard the executor's cry from the kitchen. He steadied himself and walked silently into the house from the Dojo. Already, he felt sick. "Here's your dinner Ranma," announced a smiling Akane as she pushed a plate at his face. "Enjoy!" The word seemed more of a command than a request. Ranma poked at the yellow-green substance in the bowl with the chopsticks. He readied himself, summoned the courage, and swallowed. Ranma could feel the world going around in circles. His throat burned, his stomach burned, even his eyes burned. "Oh, I hope I didn't add too much spice. The book said one pepper, but I know you like spicy food, so I added the whole basket." Ranma's hand reached frantically across the table until it found what it was looking for. In an instant, Ranma downed two litres of water, the excess spilling over his, her clothes. He lunged for the fridge "What'd ya tryin' to do, kill me!" shouted Ranma as he emptied all the milk from the fridge. "Ranma! How many times must I tell you not to insult my cooking!" growled Akane as she began to glow. Ranma waited for the mallet to materialise. "Wait!" shouted the spirit that sat lurking that night, waiting for the best opportunity. "Ranma Saotome, for all your deeds against women, I curse you!" "Yeah like I haven't heard that one before!" retorted Ranma in the heat of the moment. No pun intended. He sensed this wasn't any girl. It could be some other demon trying to get him for Kami knows what. He attacked the spirit, but as soon as his hand reached out, a flask flew towards him. It hit his hand and its contents splashed all over him. Then he froze. He couldn't move. He could see Akane to his right but she wasn't moving. Then he heard the voice in his head. "Ranma Saotome, you have again been splashed with Nyannichuan water boiled in the curse sealing kettle, you will be a girl forever," spoke the spirit in a condescending manner. It shoved another flask into his hand. "There is no cure but if you doubt me, here is some Nannichuan boiled in the same kettle. Try it if you care. This is your punishment." Then, she reached further into his mind reaching, reaching, and finding the barrier. The barrier he had erected that separated his male and female thoughts. A barrier behind which he hid part of his true self. With a mighty surge in spiritual energy, she broke through the barrier. The spirit smiled at her handiwork. It was only a small crack, a chink in the otherwise solid wall, but cracks grew and became crevasses over time. She watched as thoughts began to escape from behind the wall...Yes, Ranma Saotome, you will feel what it is to be woman. The spirit then walked over to Akane and kissed her on the forehead. "Be freed my sister," it whispered to her as it dissolved into the air. "That was weird," commented Akane. She hadn't heard anything the spirit had told Ranma. Ranma was weighing what the spirit had told him. He was sure it was some prank Happosai had lured the spirit into playing. He did not have very long to think about it. "Now Ranma, about that food!" "Hey, I didn't tell ya to cook that toxic stuff ya dumb tomboy!" bellowed Ranma "Ranma!" shouted Akane as her temper flared. "Hey cool off!" shouted Ranma. Reflexively, he threw some of the water in the flask at her, splashing both of them in the process. Ranma wondered how much angrier a wet Akane would be, but his wonderment soon turned to horror. Right before his eyes, he saw the transformation. From the girl's body grew a boy, taller and broader than Ranma. The growing frame filled the loose material of Akane's white blouse and blue skirt quickly. Soon the sounds of ripping were heard as cloth gave way to flesh and muscle. Seams ripped and elastic burst against the onslaught. Akane stood there shocked and Ranma stood there looking at her, transfixed. Time stood still, until Akane recovered, and her fury rose to a tempest the likes Akane had never felt before "Ranma you...you bastard!" The still frozen Ranma-chan offered no defence as Akane-kun battered the girl's body around the room with his bare fists. The sheer power of the blows sending Ranma crashing through the room. Still Ranma offered no resistance, his mind frozen in time, gazing upon the evil he himself had wreaked. Blow upon blow landed, numbing Ranma's girl form. Ranma felt the bile rise, he felt the coppery taste of blood gushing from his torn lip. The beating carried them into the backyard, but still Ranma could not pull himself out of his shock. Akane's temper had not even reached close to satiation. Whether he knew it or not, Ranma was smashed repeatedly against the stone walls surrounding the house. Blows came as the waves of the mighty oceans were spurred on by the Akane's angry howling winds. Torrents descended on Ranma, his body being held off the ground by the sheer numbers connecting solidly and repeatedly. Neither heard the snapping, neither felt that something had gone terribly wrong. With one good hit, Akane sent Ranma crashing through the wall and flying into the abandoned lot next door, saving him her full wrath. Akane, denied of her punching bag proceeded in crushing the remaining bricks in the back yard, until the emotions finally brought Akane to tears. She ran to her room, crying. *********** Ranma awoke to the taste of dirt in his mouth. Instinctively he spat, removing blood and dirt together. Slowly he tried to turn. Pain shot through his side like a knife, forcing him back. He could taste the metallic coppery flow of blood filling his mouth. After a couple of more minutes of struggling, Ranma finally turned himself over. "Akane, I'm so sorry..." he whispered into the wind, the pain taking his voice from him With strength unheard of, Ranma attempted to sit up, but was forced back down as the pain threatened to overrun his senses. He decided that it was time to check the damage. He could scarce believe that Akane had done this to him, but he deserved it. How could he, how could he have done that to her? He had sworn; he had given his most sacred vow that he would protect her against everything. But he, he himself had become her undoing. He could save her from everything else, but in the end he couldn't save her from himself. Pain shot through his arm, reminding him that he had other things to think about. Seasoned from training injuries, Ranma checked himself. One arm broken, ribs fractured...he analysed every pain he felt, associating it with something he had felt before. When he completed the picture, his face was grim. Even he would need a lot of time to focus his energy towards healing. Ignoring the pain, he forced himself to rise from the cold unforgiving earth. And cold was all Ranma felt. Despite the warm breeze blowing into his face, Ranma felt cold. He felt useless; he was useless. He had failed. He had cursed Akane. He was no man. He had failed. He felt like the scum of the earth. He wished the earth would just open up and swallow him whole, but he knew no such thing would happen. He would have to suffer for this. He would have to pay for what he had done. Using a piece of board as a crutch, he dragged himself through the broken wall and back into the Dojo Even from inside the Dojo, he heard the kettle whistling loudly. Ranma forced down all the pain and gradually felt the strength returning to his legs. He stumbled across the Dojo and into the house, his staggered movements sending him into the furniture now and again. Even now, all he wanted was to be male. He made it to the kitchen and grabbed for the kettle. He missed and his hand grabbed the hot stove. He felt the searing heat against his fingers, but he was already beyond the point where pain mattered. That did not matter anymore: not to him. On his third attempt, he managed to grab the kettle, spilling the scalding contents over himself. He didn't care if it would burn him; he was past that. All he wanted was the change. None came. Panic started to rear it's head, then he remembered the words of the spirit. He remembered and he laughed. He was a 'she' now, and permanently at that. He had even splashed himself with the Nannichuan. Man among men, hah, woman now. No not woman, worse than that. Ranma realised it did not matter now. 'He' no, she had failed. She had failed, she was useless, she had lost her manhood, and she had lost her honour. She had lost her honour the moment she had cursed Akane. Akane... Ranma forced herself up off the floor, being careful not to use the wrong muscles. Using the wooden plank and the handrail, she ascended the stairs and finally reached Akane's door. Her soft knock against the door went unheeded. Quietly, she turned the knob with her movable hand; the other was useless at the moment. She found Akane huddled against the corner of her bed. No doubt she had cried to sleep. She should not be doing this, she should not be in this body, Ranma thought to herself as she watched Akane's male form, she struggled to bend to just touch Akane's face when the writing on the wall caught her attention. "I hate Ranma!" was written across the wall. Ranma shied away. Akane was right; she should hate her. She had no right to be in Akane's room after all she had done. She had lost everything. She had no reason to be here. There was nothing left for her. Ranma knew what had to be done. Akane woke up slowly, her male face puffed by the endless flow of tears she had previously shed. All the energy had been drained from her; all of it had been used to fuel her anger. She still could not believe it. She could not believe that Ranma of all people had cursed her. Her own knight had caused her demise. Akane held her hands to her face, regarding their size. They were huge hands, male hands. They were not hers. She regarded her demise until she saw the red substance caked under her fingernails. She flicked her nails and the dark red substance smudged against the top of her nails. She searched where she had been sleeping and found red fingerprints on her bed. It was blood! Akane had seen blood before. She had had her share of cuts, but the question arose in her mind. Whose blood was it? She felt no pain. She checked her body and found no lesions on herself. Then she remembered. Ranma! Akane panicked then forced herself to remain calm. There was no way she could have beaten Ranma. He was just too good. And even if she had beaten him, he could last anything, couldn't he? Akane didn't wait to finish her answer. She frantically searched every room upstairs: the bathroom, the guestroom, even her sisters' rooms: no Ranma. She raced down the stairs, almost falling over since she was still unaccustomed to her new body. The remains of a spilt kettle could be seen on the kitchen floor. Where could he be? The Dojo! Finally, she made it into the Dojo. There she stood, speechless... In the middle of the Dojo knelt Ranma-chan. Her back to Akane. One hand lay limp at her side while the other was hidden from Akane's view. Akane could see Ranma's bruised skin through the tatters of what had once been a red silk shirt and long black pants. Could she, could she have done this to Ranma? The invincible Ranma? Stealthily, Akane closed the distance between herself and Ranma, fearful of what she would see. Suddenly, Ranma-chan's right hand rose above her head and in it Akane could make out the shape of the tanto as it gleamed in the night, glimmering in the pale moonlight. No! This couldn't be happening. Before she even realised, Akane had rushed the short distance between them, seizing Ranma's hand as it swooped down, knocking away the tanto. It skated harmlessly away from the pair, imbedding itself at a wild angle as it caught on the wooden floor. "Ranma, what the hell are you doing?" shouted Akane. "What should be done..." stated Ranma emotionlessly. "Why?" asked Akane incredulously "My curse is permanent an you're cursed," she replied stolidly as she slipped out from Akane's hold. Akane could see some of the welted bruises on Ranma's skin. Akane knew she was responsible for that. "I'm honour bound to keep mother's promise." "Why Ranma? Why now?" "Why not? I can at least try to act honourably," replied Ranma as she slowly dragged her feet across the room to retrieve the blade. Akane had forgotten about that stupid promise. Now that Ranma was a girl, there was no way he could fulfil it. She had to talk him out of it. Akane grasped Ranma's broken limb. Pain surged through Ranma mind, blinding her with its sheer intensity. Her mind overloaded with the immensity of the pain and the emotion. It had reached its maximum threshold. It succumbed to the waiting darkness. Akane caught the body before it fell to the floor. Only now could Akane fully see the damage she had done. She raced to the phone to call Dr. Tofu. No one answered. There was no one else this time of night, only her. She gathered Ranma in her hands and carried her to the bathroom. Akane stripped her, removing the remnants of the clothes Ranma had worn. Then she placed the still slumbering body in a warm bath. Akane felt the change as her flesh shifted. Nothing happened to Ranma. Ranma was telling the truth, he was a girl permanently! Akane cried as she washed the battle stains from her hands and from Ranma's body. She sat in the furo with Ranma, tenderly washing away the filth from the smaller girl's body. Finished, she wrapped Ranma up in towels, being careful not to aggravate the limb she knew must be broken. She carried Ranma to her room, laying the smaller girl on the bed. Hastily, she gathered all the first aid equipment from the household. Since Ranma had come they were in constant need of first aid supplies. Akane tenderly bandaged Ranma's chest and arm as the tears rolled down her face. She sat down on the bed next to Ranma. He no, she was cold to the touch. Akane slipped under the covers as she sat next to Ranma on the bed, not even aware of their present nudity. Her eyes were transfixed on her fiancée. The same one who had saved her time and time again. The same one who had gone up against foes much better than him, but always came out on top. The same one who protected her against anything. The same one she loved. The same one who was now unconscious and broken by her hand. She still could not ebb the flow of tears. She latched onto Ranma's hand and held it to her chest. "Please be okay Ranma, please!" sobbed Akane. She did not feel the energy leave her as Ranma's survival healing techniques kicked in, even in her sleep. Slowly, Akane's face fell forward, as she was lulled to sleep by the draining of her energies. Ranma groaned and refused to open her eyes. As her senses came back online, she analysed her pains again. She had been right about the broken arm, it was fractured. That injury was not terribly debilitating nor would it take long to heal considering her healing abilities, but it still caused a lot of pain. Her ribs were still fractured; there was no mistaking that. Her skin felt numb and her body reverberated with a dull ache. She felt the unyielding bandages against her chest and her arm. She wondered who...oh yes, Akane must have found her and bandaged her. Ranma tried to move but she found her chest pinned by an arm and her waist by a leg. She felt something wet against the outside of her leg. Ranma ventured to open her eyes and saw the most beautiful sight; Akane sprawled across the bed. Ranma was breathless at the scene, but there were things that had to be done. She had to restore her family's honour. At least she would leave this world having witnessed the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on. Slowly, she extracted herself from Akane, and climbed off the bed when a hand reached out and grabbed her. Ranma whirled around, her hand knocking Akane's bedside glass, spraying water across the room. The change was instantaneous. "Ranma where are you going?" demanded Akane-kun. "You know what I have to do..." replied Ranma with an expressionless face Akane-kun remembered what happened hours ago. He remembered Ranma's battered body. He remembered the promise. There had to be something he could say to make Ranma stop. "Why?" "I must maintain the family's honour." Akane-kun knew that there had to be something he could stay to stop her. He couldn't let her do this. Without her, he would be lost. He didn't know what he would do if she wasn't around. What would he do without his insensitive jerk around? "What about.... What about me?" asked Akane softly. He saw Ranma's resolve break a little and then the solid wall grew back. "I think I've done enough to you Akane. I know you hate me..." "No Ranma, I...I don't hate you," he pleaded. Akane knew he had caught Ranma's attention. There was only one thing he could do now, only one thing that he could say that would make her stop. "I...I want you...I" he struggled to try and say those words but he knew he had to...he had to...he had to save her. "I...I...love you Ranma..." Ranma looked at him with an unreadable expression and laughed. Akane was taken aback by this reaction. "Even if you love me I'm a girl now. How can I marry a girl?" The laughter died down and the cold resolve came back, "Honour must be fulfilled; I, Ranma Saotome must die." Akane-kun watched as Ranma turned again, giving him full view of her body. Akane could feel the sudden rise in temperature of the room. He knew that Ranma was beautiful. His male body reacted to seeing Ranma's pale body. Akane could feel the rush of emotions as he gazed upon that graceful body. It was the same thing he felt when he watched Ranma's male body, but his male body was reacted now to Ranma's female body. He could feel the lust rise, the want to have Ranma, to take Ranma, to own her. He had never given into those emotions before, even as a girl, but he had to now, it was the only way. He knew now how to save Ranma. Akane crept up to Ranma's lithe frame before she reached the door, and placed a hand on the redhead's shoulder, compelling Ranma to face him. Akane knew he only had one shot at this. Akane cupped Ranma's face in his hands and brought their faces close together. He could feel the heat from Ranma now, that warmth he had always dreamt about, of being so close to her that he could feel her warm breath across his skin. He felt Ranma now, he felt her breath against his face. It was different than he had dreamed, but it was exhilarating nonetheless. Somewhere in that time, his heart had started pounding, but Akane had no time to think about that. He had to act now. He had to make Ranma understand. He had to make her his. "Ranma Saotome, tonight you die." he whispered into her ears. And slowly, slowly, he brought his lips close to hers. The contact was instant electricity for him as he touched Ranma's firm lips. Akane wanted more, but Ranma would give no reaction. Akane-kun could feel the intense resistance from Ranma, she tried to pull away, but Akane would not let her. Then, all of a sudden, Ranma reacted to his advance. And did she react! Ranma kissed him back with a ferocity that Akane had never felt before. Ranma's tongue darted in and Akane could feel the passion take hold, the passion of all those months surfacing in this one moment. Akane could never in all her life dream that being with Ranma would feel like this. Ranma was shocked. Shocked that Akane would kiss her, her of all people. Akane-kun shouldn't be doing this. He was a girl, even in a man's body. She was trying to hold herself together but Akane's touch. The touch of Akane's now masculine hand against her face, the touch of Akane's lips against hers. She had never before felt this kind of longing that rose up from her loins. She shouldn't do this, she couldn't hurt Akane like this, but she knew that deep down she wanted this badly. She wanted Akane. She wanted to feel love; she wanted Akane's love. Slowly her resolve melted as Akane held her tightly and she returned Akane's kiss. Ranma kissed Akane with all her might. She buried her troubles in the sweet taste of those lips against hers, in those sensations that threatened to overwhelm her. She shouldn't do this, but she needed this, she needed it desperately. She pressed her body against Akane's, taking comfort as she felt Akane's bare skin against her breasts. She embraced him, letting her hands roam across Akane's new-found body. Somewhere, within that period, the moans came. Ranma neither could tell whose they were nor did she care. She let her hands fall lower and lower down Akane's body, losing herself in Akane's taste and her touch. She could feel herself being lowered; she could feel her mind screaming in passion. Akane stopped kissing her. "Ranma are you sure..." "Yes Akane...please," pleaded Ranma breathlessly, "It's the only way..." Akane nodded and continued as Ranma shed kisses upon his neck. Akane lowered Ranma upon the white sheets as Ranma kissed him fervently. She held Akane's hand and brought it down from the nape of her neck, across her breast, lower and lower, and she could see in Akane's deep brown eyes that he understood. Ranma finally allowed herself release, release from over ten years of suffering, She allowed cupid to have his way with her. Just this once, she didn't want to deal with this world. Not even the pain bothered her, the pleasure overwhelming her senses... *********** Ranma gazed longingly at her slumbering lover. Her eyes were moist from the tears of joy she had shed. She had felt love. She had felt Akane's love and that was all that mattered to her. For the first time, she had felt pure unconditional love, something she had never received from anyone. Everyone else demanded something from her, but Akane's love; it was pure. She removed Akane's arm from across her chest and stealthily crept away. Using only a spare sheet, she covered herself and descended to the kitchen. Ranma peeked into the living room where she had been attacked; her eyes fell on one of the flasks that lay neglected on the floor. She had forgotten about them completely. The Nyannichuan, the cause of all her trouble, her curse and Akane's...Akane's cure. Thoughts rumbled within Ranma's mind. She had sworn a solemn oath to protect Akane; to keep her safe from all harm. She could not let Akane remain cursed. Ranma knew she had the opportunity to cure Akane. She wanted Akane badly; she didn't realise just how much she loved her. But no one could ask for a higher price for that love, and it was a decision she could not ask Akane to make. Ranma loved her too much to ever ask that of her. Ranma only wished Akane a normal life, and that was something she would never be able to give Akane. She had to do this; she had to protect Akane. Ranma returned to Akane's room with the flask and a small packet of powder. Ranma smiled inwardly. Who knew that Kodachi's drugs would come in handy? Ranma emptied the last of the Nyannichuan on Akane. Then Ranma gave her one long lingering passionate kiss. It would be their last, but the memories, she would cherish the memories of that night forever. Then she opened the packet and Akane inhaled the fine powder. *************** Akane awoke with a splitting headache. Unsteadily she slipped out of bed and out of her yellow pyjamas. She cautiously made her way downstairs and noticed some of the broken furniture. She did not recognise any of the damage from before. It was probably Ranma's fault. He was the only one who got into fights here. Not that anyone would take notice of the new damage anyway. It was a regular thing. She met Kasumi in the kitchen. She heard a thud from the front door. Father and Mr. Saotome had arrived. A shouting match ensued between Ranma and her father. "Would you two quiet down!" shouted Nabiki from the phone as she tried to drown out the sounds of the verbal battle. Yes, this was turning out to be a normal Saturday. A small knock came from the front door. "Why Auntie Saotome, how nice to see you again," greeted Akane "Hello Akane, are my husband and son around?" "Sorry Auntie," replied a voice from behind Akane, "they went on a training trip this weekend." Akane whirled around to face a surprisingly dry Ranma-chan and a soaking wet panda. "Oh I'm so sorry to hear that Ranko," answered Nodoka sombrely, then her face brightened. "Ranko would you like to come spend a couple of days with me? My old house is so lonely." Akane pondered how Ranma was going to get himself out of this one. "I'd love to Auntie," replied Ranma. What! Akane dragged Ranma off while Nodoka looked on amusedly. Ranma cringed as her broken arm was abused. She had stripped off the bandages and had spent the rest of the night trying her best to clean up. She effectively hid all the pain from her face, drowning out the pain with pleasant thoughts from the night before. The long sleeved Chinese shirt she wore efficiently hid most of her bruises. No one asked about her face, and if they did, she could just dismiss it as a lucky punch from Ryouga. "Ranma are you mad?" shouted Akane, "What if she finds out about the curse?" Ranma thought quickly. "Relax Akane, there's a ring I got from the old freak that will prevent me from changing, but it only works on my cursed form." Akane thought Ranma looked so cute as her lips curled up in a slight pout. Whoa, where did that come from? Akane couldn't fault Ranma for wanting to be with his mother. After all, he hadn't been with her for over ten years. "Are you sure?" Ranma nodded her head Soon Ranma left with Nodoka, while Akane was stuck with the task of explaining Ranma's decision to the others. ************* Nodoka glanced down at the teenage girl walking beside her. Ranko was trying her best to walk like a proper girl and behave like a proper girl, but she was failing miserably. The girl wore a slight grimace on her face, and one of her arms lay limp at her side. Nodoka dismissed it as part of the girl's act. She knew from the Tendo's that the girl hadn't had a proper upbringing. She guessed this would be the best time to train Ranko. Since she couldn't see her son and Ranko didn't have a mother, she had become quite fond of the girl and constantly thought of her as her own daughter. "Ranko, have Akane and the others been teaching you how to act as a lady?" asked Nodoka. "Um...ah...No Auntie...um, with Ranma and everything, they haven't had time," replied Ranma shakily. She was trying to impress her mother, but both her injuries and lack of instruction hindered her. Not that she wanted to act like a girl, but her mother expected her to. Nodoka readily detected a slight blush across her face. "Would you mind dear, if I instructed you?" "I'd like that," replied Ranma, trying to sound eager: anything for her mother. The rest of the walk was completed amidst talk of manners and how a lady should present herself. At the Saotome house, Ranma flopped on her new bed, a large bed, a real bed. Everything had just happened too soon. She was a girl permanently. She had spent the night with Akane. She had lied to Akane. She almost hadn't succeeded in doing that. Staring into those brown eyes had surfaced all those passionate memories of the night before. She had had to hold herself back from just wanting to touch Akane's face again. She couldn't do that. No, never again could she show that part of herself. She had bury it, if not to save herself from the pain, then for Akane, anything for Akane. Akane had saved her. By taking her, Akane had effectively killed the male Ranma Saotome. That Ranma, who was bound to the promise, was dead. Only Ranko remained, Ranko Tendo. Now Ranma was faced with the problem of deciding on what to do with her life. The appearance of her mother was a break, but it would only last a little while. She could probably put off her injuries as some training accident. She almost knew that mother would accept that reason. After all, she did believe that girls were feebler than men. Ranma knew she had to plan something though. She could stay here for a bit of time but there was no way she could let the others find out she was cursed permanently. If they found out, she would have to explain why she was still alive. To do that, she would have to hurt Akane. That was not something she wanted to do. Ranma needed to plan. She needed time. Ranma held a flask in her hand. It had been her cure, now it was her demon. Something she could never have again. She wanted to smash it against the wall but she needed it. She needed it to cure her father and Ryouga. She had cursed Ryouga so it was up to her to cure him. They would be whole men again. Manhood, she would never be able to regain that. She massaged her chest where the fractured ribs were. Thank goodness she was a fast healer. That centred on skills she had been forced to pick up when she was younger. She knew how to do it properly now, how to focus her ki to heal. The stiffness in her chest and hand was gradually fading, but the pain, the dull throbbing pain was still there. Ranma hid the flask. Mom had handed her a closet of old clothes and had stated in no uncertain terms that she had to wear a dress. Ranma disparagingly held up the dresses one by one and glanced at them with a wary eye. She had hated wearing feminine clothes because it reminded her too much of the curse. Now, the curse was permanent. She would eventually have to wear them. She hated sounding defeated, but she had been defeated, defeated but not broken. She still had her memories to cling to. She knew she would eventually have to face the fact of what being a woman meant, but she would face it how she faced everything else in her life: with the firm resolve that she would get through it, somehow. Nodoka knocked on the door and found Ranko speculating on which dress to wear. It would take some time to train Ranko. She was stubborn and wild. Just like her son was when he was younger. Even from when he was young, Ranma has been a bundle to control. He was so inquisitive and was always getting into the thick of things, always the object of attention. After her brief flashback, she turned towards Ranko. Ranko had agreed to let Nodoka train her. Nodoka knew she had to be stern with the young woman. She ordered Ranko to undress and was shocked to see that the girl wore men's boxers. Training indeed! She was also alarmed at the huge number of cuts and bruises on the girl's body. When asked about it, Ranko explained that she had hounded Ranma to teach her one of his techniques and he finally taught it to her a day ago. She had mastered it, but she got hurt in the process. Nodoka could understand that. So her son was a sensei as well as a martial artist. Oh how she dreamed to see him again! Nodoka pulled out some new underwear from a drawer and handed it to Ranko. "Do I hav'ta?" pleaded Ranko, but Nodoka would have none of it. Under her gaze, she watched as Ranko reluctantly put it on and she corrected the girl on her grammar. Satisfied, Nodoka pulled out a bra. Ranko gave her a look of terror. "I ain't wearing that!" she shrieked. "Ranko," scolded Nodoka sternly, "We have an agreement." Ranko was about to retort when she shut her mouth Nodoka found that the bra was too small for Ranko's figure. She sighed. This time, Ranko won. Nodoka allowed her a shirt on instead. Now for the dresses. Ranko shook her head at every dress Nodoka showed her. Eventually, Nodoka decided to choose one for her. It was a lovely flowing red sundress that went with a long sleeved white blouse. Nodoka looked at the girl. The dress definitely was her, but Nodoka knew she had to do something about Ranko's hair and face. Ranko would never catch herself a husband with such an unflattering hairstyle. Nodoka led the girl to the bathroom sink. She washed the girl's face with an old cleansing formula her grandmother gave her then she set to work on Ranko's hair. She had Ranko sit on a chair while she undid the pigtail. Nodoka immediately proceeded to soak the hair thoroughly with a special mixture of herbs. She watched in amusement as Ranko's nervous face relaxed as she massaged the girl's scalp. Nodoka did this for ten minutes to allow the herbs to settle; then she rinsed the hair. By now, Ranko was fitfully sleeping on the chair. Nodoka then shampooed Ranko's hair and let it set. After another fifteen minutes or so, she rinsed the girl's hair again and reluctantly woke her. After drying it to a damp mass. Nodoka bundled it up in a towel and then set to work on Ranko's face. Ranko predictably protested, but Nodoka would have none of it. If she was going to teach this girl how to be a woman, Ranko would have to learn now. Ranma patiently and quietly sat as her mother applied make-up to her face. Ranma knew she would do anything for her mother. She hated dressing as a girl but eventually she knew she would be forced to sometime or the other. It was best to learn how to dress from her own mother. She had no idea of what could happen in the future. Nodoka finished with Ranko's face and then set about fussing with the girl's fiery hair. She couldn't believe how shiny Ranko's hair was after she had cleaned it. She procured a scissors and went to work on the girl's hair. Ranma was dying of anxiety. She didn't know why, but some part of her desperately wanted to see what her mother had done. She had seen the pleased expression on her mother's face after she had finished. She could hardly sit still and it showed as she drummed her fingers against the chair. "Finished!" announced Nodoka triumphantly. "Can I see please!" pleaded Ranma. Nodoka smiled and led Ranko to a long mirror. She watched as Ranko's excitement gave way to disbelief. Ranma couldn't believe how incredibly beautiful she looked in the mirror. She could only touch the reflection in the mirror in awe. She stared at the mirror long enough for her mother to disappear and return with her purse. "Come dear, it's time for us to go shopping for your undergarments." Nodoka literally dragged Ranma from the mirror and out of the house, but not before Ranma went to her room and made a make shift crutch for her damaged arm. She had focused on healing that arm more than her other injuries and now it was finally setting. On the roads and in the mall, Ranma noticed all the stares that were being awarded to her. She hoped no one would recognise her. Oh no, here comes Diasuke. Ranma watched fearfully as Diasuke came up to her; she was a goner for sure. "Excuse me miss, what is your name?" Ranma stared at him. Didn't he recognise her? Mother came to her rescue. "Sorry dear, no time for chit chat, we've got to get going." Ranma wordlessly followed her as she left a waving Diasuke behind. "Ranko," teased Nodoka, "You must come to expect that. You are a very beautiful girl. I'm sure you will catch a fine husband." Ranma just walked behind her, trying to forget about the husband part. When they got home, Ranma helped with the cooking and then retired early, eager for some rest. She had put absolutely no stress on the fractured arm. A couple of nights was all she needed and, with some concentration, she would recover fully. ************ The woman spirit searched for the one who she had cursed. Something did not fit right. She had met a friend of hers, an old wood sprite. The sprite remembered the name Ranma Saotome. Her friend had told her that this boy was a good boy and that it was his father's influence that caused him to behave so disrespectfully. Was she wrong? Could she have been so easily misguided? She knew she had acted in anger, the only problem was that she had acted, and could not undo what she had done. Finally she found the cursed one sleeping. The spirit had to find out if what she had done was justified. She opened the mind of the sleeping girl. Memories streamed from the girl's mind to the spirit's. Memories of being stripped away from a mother, a friend, of cats, of duty, of honour, of curses, of love, of the love the night before. The first time the girl had ever felt so much love. And the spirit wept. She had made a mistake, a dreadful mistake ************ Nodoka Saotome was quietly having her late night tea, when the stillness of the night was disrupted by a scream, Ranko's scream. Nodoka dashed up to the girl's room, katana in tow. "Momma momma," cried Ranma in her sleep, "The cats! The cats!" Nodoka was relieved to see that the girl was having a nightmare. "Momma the cats!" shouted Ranko again. Nodoka placed her hand on the girl's head to soothe her but snatched her hand away instinctively. The girl was on fire! Nodoka grabbed Ranko in her hands and dashed for the furo. She filled it with cold water and then ran to call the best doctor she knew, Dr. Toshi. Dr. Toshi sprinted across the city. Saotome Nodoka was one of his favourite customers, and she was his friend. Without welcome, he bolted through the Saotome House and found Nodoka crying over a small girl in the tub. "Nodoka-san, what's the matter?" She pointed to the girl and he placed his hand on the girl head, he withdrew it quickly as the heat threatened to singe his skin. Only then did he notice the aura around the girl. "Nodoka-san, is this the girl you were telling me about?" Nodoka only nodded. "Then, there is nothing to fear! It's only her ki that's causing her to burn up." Slowly recognition dawned on Nodoka, she had heard of this before, but it was the first time she had ever seen it. Toshi watched the girl in the tub intently. Something was wrong; something was off. His work in the magical arts had given him an eye for the supernatural. He didn't want to trouble Nodoka-san though, then it happened. A swirling blue flame encompassed the girl in the tub, throwing the two adults against the wall, and boiling the water in the tub. It stretched and covered the girl completely from their view, until, just as it had appeared, it disappeared. Standing in front of Ranma was the woman-spirit. "Woman, take care of your daughter. I cannot undo the curse but I can try to make things better." The spirit stepped over to the sleeping girl and kissed her cheek. "I will redeem myself." Then she dissolved into the air. It was time to set things right. Nodoka and Toshi worriedly dashed from the floor to the furo. What they saw shocked them! ************* Ranma slowly awoke that morning. Her whole body felt sore. She yawned and stretched, and looking around, was surprised to find her mom in her room, sleeping on a chair. "Mom?" called Ranma softly. "Ranko, you awake!" cried Nodoka. "Oh dear, I thought we'd lost you." Nodoka kissed her on the forehead and the tears fell softly on Ranma's hair. Ranma was confused and tried to get up off the bed. Something else was wrong. Her body felt different, she felt taller! Somehow, her mom recognised her confusion and drew her to a mirror. Ranma stared in disbelief. She was tall. Indeed, she was almost as tall as her male body. And her face, most of the baby fat had been purged leaving it undeniably feminine. Ranma felt her breasts; even they were larger. Then she gave herself an overall view in the mirror. She was beautiful; she was stunning. She couldn't help but stare at her new body. And her injuries, they were all gone. She didn't feel a twinge of pain. "H...how?" she managed to stutter. "That's what I'd like to ask you?" spoke a masculine voice. A very learned man poked his head through the doorway. "Never, never in all my years, have I seen a transformation like that." Ranma's mind began to race. What could cause this? The curse! Spring of drowned girl! She had been cursed to become a girl permanently, could the initial curse have possibly frozen her growth? That was the only explanation. Ranma looked at herself once again in the mirror. Now she was no longer a girl, she was a woman, and a magnificent specimen at that! Ranma however, couldn't tell her mom about the real curse, but what about... "Well someone could've put a curse on me," declared Ranma without much conviction in her voice. "A curse? No. I think it was the work of a spirit. More correctly, a woman-spirit. I believe she was blessing you rather than being mischievous." "Well that's relieving" replied Nodoka Ranma stood confused between the two adults, then she realised what she was wearing, nothing! She eeped and grabbed the sheet from the bed. "Now she displays feminine modesty!" exclaimed Nodoka "Well bye Nodoka-san, I don't think you'll be needing me any longer. And Ranko-san...please don't give your mother any more frights." The doctor was already out the door. "Mother?" asked Ranma as he turned to face her. "Oh Ranko-chan, I wanted to ask you. It so lonely here..." "Mom..." Ranma whispered and hugged the older woman dearly. Both cried on the other's shoulder. They were both about the same height now. Nodoka disengaged herself from the girl. "Come daughter, we have much to do today" Nodoka left Ranma on the bed as she exited. Ranma was elated. Nodoka called her daughter. She had a mother again. Outwardly, Ranma rejoiced, but inwardly she was deeply troubled. Her mother would want her to marry a man, would want her to become a traditional Japanese housewife. Ranma couldn't do that. She didn't want that. Plus, what if her mother found out about the curse? Things were getting complicated again, Ranma knew she desperately needed a plan. Ranma looked at the clothes her mother had bought. They were all much too small for her now except for a blue kimono in the corner. Ranma sighed; it would have to do. She would have preferred her usual silk shirt and black pants, but she could imagine the shock on her mother's face. Ranma knew she could use the transformation to her advantage, she could use it to cover up all her unfeminine behaviour. She would do it, just to see her mother happy. That's all that counted right now. Ranma descended the stairway to the kitchen and found a note from her mother asking her to meet her in the family shrine. She quickly scampered to the shrine momentarily forgetting her mother's instructions on how a lady should walk. In the shrine her mother waited for her. Nodoka beckoned for her to draw closer, Ranma obeyed. Nodoka withdrew the katana from its resting place on her back. Ranma flinched, but for only a second, reminded of what that blade previously meant. Nodoka gently unwrapped it, allowing the paper to fall to the ground. She held the sheathed katana in her hand and withdrew the blade halfway from the sheath. "Ranko-chan, this blade has been passed on from mother to daughter for generations in my family. Now it belongs to you...my daughter." Nodoka offered the blade to Ranma. Ranma took it from her and unsheathed it fully. It was same blade she had feared a few days ago, but that fear was gone. It was gone and replaced by wonder. She revelled in the pureness, in the beauty of the blade. The sun glistened off its fine edge. Ranma could feel the power emanating from the blade. She could feel the presence of her ancestors. She couldn't help but feel humbled in the presence of such power. Ranma studied the sword, studied the design. She remembered seeing it as a child, asking her mother about it. She sheathed it again and offered it back to her mother. "No mom, no yet," she stated and bowed. Nodoka looked a bit hurt but some measure of understanding dawned on her. Her daughter was not ready; she was not fully trained. Nodoka smiled with pride at her daughter and hugged her. "No daughter not as yet." Ranma followed her out of the shrine. It was time to train. ************* Ranma slowly and gracefully as she had been taught, descended the stairs and met her mother at the table. "Daughter, I believe that you should continue your schooling. I have arranged for you to be admitted to St Hebereke's school for girls." Nodoka procured a uniform from the air and handed it to her daughter. Ranma knew what had to be done. In an instant she was ready for school in her new uniform. Nodoka corrected her again on her stance when Ranma slipped into her usual masculine stance. Something bothered Ranma about the uniform and the name of the school, but she could not put her finger on it. Ranma walked quietly to school. She rooted herself to the sidewalk instead of the fence. There was some possibility of mother finding out from someone if she walked up there, and she did not want to make mother angry. The school came into sight and Ranma gasped as the reason for her prior uneasiness bared itself: Kodachi Kuno. Ranma sat in her class amidst the stares of her classmates. For the first time, Ranma felt uneasy in school. Mother expected her to do well, and expected her to behave like a proper lady. School was her ultimate test. The teachers here were rumoured to be very strict and reported only to the parents of the students. The students themselves were told nothing. Ranma sat to the rear of all her classes and had managed to pass through the whole day acting ladylike. She ignored all the stares she was receiving. Her last class was Physical Education. She waited for all the girls to leave the changing rooms before she entered. She did not have long to wait. The girls practically rushed in and out of the locker room. Ranma was the last to class and was the last to sign in that morning. The sensei gave her a regretful look. "I'm sorry Saotome-san. The rule here is the last student to reach to class has to train with..." Ranma saw a familiar girl in a leotard appear swirling a ribbon. "...Kodachi Kuno!" Ranma forced herself to keep a straight face. Kodachi would not recognise her, not in this body. Ranma could hardly hold her excitement. She hadn't tried out this new body as yet and Kodachi was the ideal guinea pig. Was that Kuno in for a surprise today! The suspicious stares she had been receiving for the day turned very sympathetic suddenly. "So you are a Saotome. Any relation to my dear Ranma-sama?" asked Kodachi "Oh yes, he's my brother. And would you please _leave him alone_!" "Ah I see like you are just like that other red-headed harridan who dares abuse the name of my blessed Ranma-sama! Very well, I challenge you!" The students started gathering, eager for a fight. They were expecting a slaughter. Ranma would give them just that. She needed to vent some of her frustrations and the target was Kodachi. "I accept!' The sensei walked over to her. "You don't have to do this, she's the reigning School Champion, defeated only once..." "Yeah I know. That was me!" replied Ranma cockily, stunning the sensei. She jumped fluidly into the ring following Kodachi. The students waited. Kodachi opened her attack with the ribbon. Ranma expected that. She used her own ribbon and effectively knotted the two weapons together. In the insuing tug-of-war, they were matched almost evenly. That was how Ranma tested her strength, and she found herself stronger now in this form than she had even been in her other girl form. They discarded the ribbons. "It seems that you are familiar with my style harridan. Very well, we shall see how good you are!" "Attack of A Thousand Clubs!" Ranma tested her speed as she parried Kodachi's repeated attacks. Her speed had not been affected. That was good. Now to defeat Kodachi! Ranma leapt back from Kodachi's attack and picked up a spare baton. Now for her form. She allowed the weapon to become an extension of her hand, of her mind, and she met the onrushing Kuno sibling. She defended herself against Kodachi's initial onslaught, and forced the girl back. An opening showed itself, and Ranma seized the opportunity. She tripped Kodachi with her baton, then tied her with another ribbon; Ranma flicked the ribbon up, up and out of the ring. Kodachi Kuno was defeated. She could hear the applause around the ring, which grew in intensity. Ranma blushed heavily as the applause continued. For the rest of the period, she kept her distance from the other girls. When the bell rang, Ranma leapt from the ring. In a couple of bounds, she was out of the ring and in a couple of seconds; she was changed and halfway home. Ranma slowed and resumed walking at a ladylike pace, while looking around to see if anyone had noticed her. ************ Akane miserably switched the channels on the TV. There was nothing to do. Absolutely nothing was going on. Kasumi was cooking, Nabiki was out, and the parents were playing shogi. She was bored, and though she wouldn't admit it, she missed Ranma. She missed having him in the same house, she missed watching him practice and, she even missed his insults. She missed having the insensitive stupid baka around. With him, there was always something to do. Something was always happening. Now, there was only silence. She made her decision quickly. "Kasumi, I'm going by Auntie to see if that Baka has got into any trouble as yet." "Okay, come home before dinner!" Akane actually ran most of the way to the Saotome House. For some reason, she just wanted to see Ranma to be with him, if only for a little while. Why she had those feelings, she didn't know. Akane made it in record time to the house, bumping into a taller redheaded girl in the process. "Sorry about that," apologised Akane. "No problem Akane," replied the redheaded girl as she picked herself up from the ground. Then the girl turned around and Akane gasped. "Ranma? Is it...is that you?" "Yeah Akane," replied Ranma as she swirled around in her school-clothes. "You like?" Akane was speechless. Ranma was so...so beautiful. She felt a twinge of jealously. Ranma was a boy, why did he get to have such a good-looking cursed body. She found herself wanting to touch Ranma, wanting to taste him. Her heart started to pound and her eyes ogled with lust. He looked so luscious! Luscious? What the hell was she thinking and why the hell was she reacting this way to Ranma of all people. Was she...was she turning into a pervert? "Ahhhh!" yelled Akane as she hightailed it back home leaving a thoroughly confused Ranma in her wake. Ranma shrugged her shoulders, girls! Then she remembered; she was one now, she laughed at her own joke as she entered the house. ********* Ranma waited until all was quiet before she slipped out of bed and donned her Chinese clothes. She opened the window and jumped out. There, in the folds of darkness, she practised her katas, testing her body's response and reflexes once again, trying to find that centre of equilibrium that came with a change in her size. Two hours later, Ranma stopped. She had gone through even the most complex of her katas without a single flaw. Her new body was ready. Her sixth sense gave her only a second to react to the oncoming threat. Ranma nimbly jumped away as a bicycle impacted where she had formerly stood. "Hello, who you! You husband sister? Shampoo come visit." "Shampoo its me," replied Ranma warily. Shampoo's eyes bugged out. "Airen, you change much!" cried Shampoo as she regarded Ranma's new body. Then she gave a seductive smile. "Shampoo like! Shampoo have more fun with airen!" "How did you find me?" asked Ranma cautiously "Kasumi say you by mother, Shampoo just ask directions. No violent girl here! Shampoo spend night with husband." Shampoo loosened the sash that held her robe in place, allowing it to fall silently from her otherwise nude body. Ranma gawked, but only slightly until she recovered. She was a girl. 'Shampoo can not affect me' repeated Ranma over and over in her mind and as Ranma concentrated, she realised she was no longer attracted that much to Shampoo's body. "Shampoo do ya know why I'm here?" "All Kasumi say is Ranma with mother." "No Shampoo. As far as I'm concerned Ranko is with her mother, while Ranma is on a training trip. Do you remember the promise pop made 'bout me being a man?" Shampoo nodded her head. She understood. She could not be with her husband, not while he was here, but she could give him a reminder. Shampoo suddenly glomped onto Ranma, forcing Ranma's head between her bosom. "Shampoo leave now. Stay another time." She released Ranma, struck up the sexiest nude pose she could think of, then left. Ranma gulped as she searched to see if her mother had awoken. She sighed, apparently mother slept through the whole thing. That took care of Shampoo and the old ghoul for now. Ranma retreated to her room intent on catching a restful night. Her mind wandered back to that night not so long ago, and she slept with a smile plastered upon her face. For some reason, she was getting to like dressing like a girl now. A couple of weeks ago, she would have died of embarrassment if she was caught in some of the dresses she was wearing. Now, she felt almost comfortable in them. Her mind kept reminding her of her new body and her thoughts wondered if Akane-kun would have found her more attractive. *********** Akane slept restlessly, visions of Ranma in both forms filled her head. She had always dreamed heavily of his manly figure, but his new female form, every time she remembered it in her mind's eye, her body shuddered. She could feel the heat rising from her body. She had never felt like this before. To Ranma's male body perhaps, but never to his female body, not like this: not until Saturday. Why, why do these things always happen to me, cursed Akane. She barely slept a wink that night and spent the whole day at school nodding off. Finally she made up her mind; she would go see Ranma. Akane walked briskly to the Saotome house that afternoon. Unfortunately, she had taken no heed to the dark-grey clouds above. Thunder pealed, and the rains came, pelting against the smooth earth. Akane used her hand to shade her eyes and dashed for the nearest bit of shelter, by the time she got there though, she was already drenched. Akane cursed under her breath. She was cold and wet now and far from home. She would have to go to the Saotome's house like that. "Akane, you look terrible!" scolded Nodoka as she spied the soaking girl. "Go take a bath right away. I'm sure Ranko will find some clothes for you." "Yes Auntie!" Akane reached the bath and peeled off her soaking clothes. The room was hot; she could feel the heat of the warm inviting bath behind the sliding door to the furo. She gently slid it open and the heat warmed her cold body. Without looking she jumped in, and hit something solid. Nodoka heard Akane scream 'pervert' from the bathroom. Oh dear, she should have told Akane that Ranko was taking a bath. Ranma was practising holding her breath, when something fell on her then screamed. "You Pervert, what are doing here!" Ranma knew that voice. "Hey this is my house what are you doing here!" Ranma sputtered as she broke the surface. "And speaking of perverts, what are YOU doing sitting on MY lap!" Akane tried to come up with a defence but nothing came out. Then she realised where she was, what position she was in and what was pressing against her chest. Ranma eeped as Akane brained her with a mallet and threw her out of the furo. "And stay out!" "Damn tomboy," muttered Ranma as she left the bathroom and changed in her own room. Ranma lay down on her bed and smiled, her hands roaming where Akane had touched her. For that one moment when she touched Akane, she felt the electricity rip through her body just like when Akane-kun had touched her the other night. She replayed everything in her mind again and again. Akane sat quietly in the furo soaking and mulling in her thoughts. She had confirmed it. Ranma's girl form was turning her on. Earlier in P.E. she had showered with the other girls and felt nothing. Why then for this sudden attraction to Ranma? She remembered the feel of Ranma's skin against hers. She could feel the hormones soaring through her body. What was she becoming! The door opened. And Akane heard something drop on the floor. "Who's there?" "I'm just dropping you some clothes," replied Ranma, and the door shut close again. Akane sighed. Whatever was she to do now! After changing, Akane met Ranma and Nodoka chatting away merrily about some recipe or another in the kitchen. Akane offered to help but Nodoka shooed her out of the room saying that this was a mother daughter thing. Daughter? Ranma had some explaining to do. Unfortunately for Akane, Nodoka kept Ranma occupied in the kitchen for hours, showing her all the secrets of her style of cooking. When they finished, Akane was snoring lightly on the sofa. The rain still poured on. "Akane-chan, wake up dear, time for bed." "Uh Mom, where's Akane going to sleep?" "In your room of course" "What!" they cried in unison. Akane was about to protest but Ranma knew better. There was no other place for Akane to stay in the house other than her room. Ranma dragged Akane up the stairs. Nodoka took note of that; she would reprimand her daughter in the morning for that unladylike behaviour. The pair reached the room and Ranma closed the door. "Just what the hell is going on?" demanded Akane. Ranma ignored her and made her way to the closet "Well?" A bundle of clothes hit Akane in the face. "You can wear those for the night." Ranma turned her back as Akane changed. Then she herself changed. "Ranma! You're wearing a bra!" exclaimed Akane. "So?" she replied defensively Akane couldn't think of anything to say. A moment passed. "You still owe me an explanation," she said in a soft voice "About what?" asked Ranma as she whirled around to face Akane. "The daughter thing." "Oh! Mom's alone, so she wants to adopt Ranko." "Oh!" Another moment passed. "Will you let her?" "I don't know," replied Ranma guiltily. Akane flopped on the queen-size bed. It was so comfortable. More comfortable than her own. Then she missed Ranma in the room. She bent over the bed to find Ranma on the floor her hands behind her head. "What are you doing down there?" "As if you'd let me on the bed before braining me and branding me a pervert!" Akane wanted to comment, but the words stung true. That's exactly what she would have done. She flipped up the covers. "Come on Ranma, get in here." "Are you sure?" "Yes, the bed's big enough for both of us." Ranma slowly climbed into the bed under the watchful eyes of Akane. The conversation died as they stayed on opposite sides of the bed. Soon, even with all the tension in the room, the beating of the rain sang a soft lullaby, lulling both to sleep. Ranma woke with a start as something slapped her head. She could make out the features of Akane's hand still plastered on her face. Stupid tomboy she muttered under her breath, then she took a long, long look at Akane. She watched the nape of her neck, she watched the heave of her chest, her face was so serene in the night. Ranma was filled with desire, a desire to re-enact all that had happened the other night, but she couldn't do that, she just couldn't do that, she couldn't hurt Akane. Ranma gazed upon Akane's moist lips. Oh how she wanted to feel those lips again. She wanted to feel Akane's soft touch against her skin again, Akane's gentle kisses as she explored every inch of her. Ranma watched her sleep and drew her face closer to Akane's. She knew she shouldn't do this, that she should let things be, but her heart said otherwise, her heart wanted it, needed it. Just one last time, she needed to feel Akane's touch. She brought her lips to the sleeping girl's own and kissed her. She opened her eyes wide as she felt Akane respond. As she felt Akane's hand shift and pull her closer. As she felt Akane's tongue invade her mouth. And Ranma kissed her back with even more fervour, savouring every second, holding on to every thought, every feeling in her mind. Then she broke away. Reluctantly she broke away, but Akane still held her tightly. Ranma smiled. She knew the pain the would come in the morning, but to have Akane's hands around her and to feel Akane's warmth for this last time was worth all the malletings Akane could dish out. Slowly the rain coaxed her back to her dreams. ************ "Ranma you pervert!" shouted Akane as she punted her off the bed. Fortunately, Ranma's face was plastered against the wall, so Akane could not see how much Ranma was smiling. "Ranko, Akane, you'll be late for school!" shouted Nodoka. The two girls eeped as a mad dash was made, flinging clothes all over the room. The two scooped up breakfast and sprinted off in opposite directions. ************ Ranma sighed as she woke up. A whole week had passed since Akane had been there. Shampoo had respected her privacy for once and had only occasionally glomped her as she walked back from school. Ucchan was surprised at the change in body, but had accepted it easily, and the reason why Ranma stayed in her cursed state. Akane had been distant and had avoided her when she visited the Tendo Dojo that one time with her mother. Kasumi and Mr. Tendo were surprised at her new body and were sympathetic about the situation. Pops was in the pond playing: how typical! Nabiki, Nabiki had that predatory gleam in her eye. Ranma was lucky that her mom allowed her to wear a pair of jeans and a shirt that day instead of a dress. Ranma shuddered; she could imagine just what Nabiki would do if she saw her in a dress. That gleam in her eye always meant trouble. Suddenly Ranma felt nauseous and sprinted to the bathroom. Nothing came out. But the nauseous feeling still remained. What the hell was going on! She never got sick! This had happened to her for the last three days. She had to find out what was happening to her. Her mother? No, she had to leave her mother out of this. No need to worry her. Dr. Toshi? No, he would tell mother. Dr. Tofu? Ahh...yes, he didn't know about her transformation yet. That afternoon Ranma made a detour on the way home. "Yes Miss, what can I help you with?" "Well doc, I've been having these feelings for the last couple of days...." When she had finished, Tofu asked her to take a urine test. She complied, and handed the small strip back to him. "Well Miss, I think congratulations are in order." "What?" "You're going to have a baby!" "A baby?" Ranma slumped on the chair. A baby! What the hell was she going to do with a baby? Her mother would never accept this! How would she explain it to the Tendos? A smile crept across her face though. She was going to have a baby, Akane's baby. She couldn't help but smile. She knew what she had to do now. She knew exactly what she had to do. Except now, she would not be alone as she travelled, she would have her child with her. That was enough to make her smile broadly. Her child! "Miss? Miss? Are you alright?" "Yes doc, more than you can imagine. Promise me one thing though?" "What's that?" "You will tell no one." "You are not thinking of aborting are you?" "Are you crazy!" replied a shocked Ranma. She regained her composure. "Let's just say things are complicated." "Ok Miss, I promise. What is your name anyway?" Ranma was about to answer when she stopped. "It's best you don't know, not now anyway." "Take this. You may need it later" "Thanks doc." she replied as she took the book from him. Tofu watched the girl leave. He knew the truth...he of all people was not blind. "Be careful...Ranma," he whispered to the already departed girl, as if she would hear him. Ranma was so happy; she smiled broadly and hummed, yes hummed, as she walked. Her visions were filled with days of travelling with her son or daughter. Teaching her child all she knew, showing her child all of Japan. Even when she was with pops, she had always felt alone. He had never truly understood her. She would be different. She would treat her child like the most precious thing in the world. Finally she would have someone in her life. Someone she could love, someone who would love her back. She was absorbed in her reverie until... "Ranma Saotome prepare to die!" shouted a voice from above. Ranma barely made it out of the way. Ryouga faced her. "I'm sorry Miss, I thought you were someone else." Oh yeah, Ryouga doesn't recognise this form. She remembered all those fights with him. She needed just one more, one more for the road. "Hey pig-boy. What's up, getting fat in your eyes. It's me!" "Ranma!" "Guess a stupid pig like you can't see though my disguise!' "Ranma die!" Ranma and Ryouga duelled in the street. Ranma enjoyed this. She enjoyed fighting with Ryouga immensely. It was her way of release, of having fun. She kept Ryouga long enough so she could have a good workout then she let him get lost. Not like that was very hard to do. Nodoka spied her daughter as she entered the house. There was no way she could miss the broad smile on her face. "Good day?" she asked "Wonderful day!" her daughter replied ecstatically. "That's good because tonight we are going out." "Out?" "Yes daughter, it's time to find you a husband!" Ranma froze. By the time she regained her composure, her mother was long gone. What was she to do? She couldn't just tell her mother she didn't want a husband, especially now. Things were going so well between them. Telling her that would just crush her. She would have to go. Reluctantly, Ranma opened her wardrobe as her mother opened the door. "Ranko, I was hoping you would wear this." "Sure mom!" replied Ranma with as much fake excitement as she could muster. Ranma gave the red kimono a once over. It was a thing of beauty. For some reason she wondered if Akane would like it, then she dismissed the thought. She had to create as much distance between Akane and her as possible. She donned the kimono and applied a little make up to her face as her mother had instructed her. Then she did her hair. She gazed at herself in the mirror. She was stunning. She was certain that Akane would be blown away, but she drowned those thoughts. That was the past. She had to bury her love for Akane for now. Until she was away. Until Akane was free from her. Her mother gave her an approving glance, and mother and daughter left the house. ************ Ranma wearily danced with each and every boy who asked her, under the eye of her mother. She hated this, she hated dancing with all these boys, but her mother was there and she could not disappoint her mother. As long as it was only dancing, she would put up with it. She knew she was gorgeous, the stares and smiles all the boys gave her told her as much. She just was not interested, not in them anyway. Finally it was time to go home, but Ranma sensed trouble. Her sense for trouble was flaring to life again as she saw her mother, another elderly woman and very handsome man sitting together. "Ranko, this courteous young man has offered to drive us home." Ranma gave her thanks and they followed the pair back to the parked car. The young man held the door open for her to enter. Ranma really wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but her mother was watching her keenly. Soon they were back home. Her mother exited the car with the old woman. Ranma was about to step out herself when her mother stopped her. "Dear, I hope you enjoy your date with this fine young man," announced her mother as she closed the door back on her. Ranma was fuming; she wanted to shout, to beat her suitor senseless. They were doing it to her again. Trying to control her life! Ooooh she wanted to hit him, then she realised that's exactly what Akane did to her when they first met. Ranma mulled in her thoughts. Ok maybe this guy didn't need to be brained, but the next time. She would have to speak to her mother later. As they rounded the corner, a pair of eyes just managed to see the two in the car. *********** Ranma Saotome thanked the young man, Utsumi she believed and hurried indoors. She did not have long to wait before she met her mother. "So how did it...." Ranma stopped her mother with an even glare. "Mom you're NOT going to do this to me. I wish people would stop trying to control MY LIFE!" Nodoka watched her daughter fly up the stairs and heard the door slam. She cringed at that. She only wanted the best for her daughter. Why couldn't Ranko see that this was what was best for her? ********** Ranma sighed as she watched the fish jump out of the pond in the park. Ever since that last date, things had not been the same between herself and mom. She knew her mother was giving her space and just biding her time. It was the same feeling she got with Pops and Mr. Tendo. She was feeling so lonely again. Akane was avoiding her, which she admitted, was a good thing. Ucchan had only visited her once, and Shampoo continued with her morning vigil. Besides that though, Ranma was alone. Not that she'd ever not been alone; it was just that there was nothing to do! No one to fight, no one to insult, no one to talk to. She hadn't made many new friends at school and it didn't take a scientist to know why. Every time she passed by someone's boyfriend on the way home, she could feel his eyes shift from the other girls and stare at her. It was an extremely unnerving thing. Her hand reached for her tummy and she smiled. She felt it now. Felt the child within her. She could feel its presence as a little tingling when she tried to summon her ki. Not too long little one, not to long before mommy shows you just how much she loves you. She would carry her child to the most beautiful places she had ever been. She heard a rustle in the bushes and jumped back. "Ranma Saotome, I challenge you for my dearest Shampoo!" "Mousse!" exclaimed Ranma, "How did ya know it was me?" "Come on Ranma your foolish disguises don't fool me." A picture wafted in front of Ranma's face from above. On it was attached a receipt from Nabiki to the tune of some couple thousand yen. Oh great! Just great! Just like Nabiki! Ranma nimbly dodged Mousse's wide variety of projectiles and was having an easy time of it until she heard a whirring sound. Instinct took over and she jumped in a wide arc. The tree behind the spot where she had been standing was riddled with bandannas. "Ranma how could you, how could you betray Akane, and with a MAN! DIE!" Oh crap, Ryouga had seen her with Utsemi. If word of that got out, the Tendo's might start wondering. Another familiar figure looked on in wonderment, until he grabbed a flying photo from Mousse as he flew by. Behind it was written the words Ranma Saotome. Taro looked at the girl fighting and his mental image of fem-boy. He made the connection. "Beating up on fem-boy eh! Now that's my idea of fun." Ranma dodged parried and attacked the three men. She knew things weren't looking good. By themselves she could easily defeat or evade them, but all at once, she didn't have a chance. The first blow struck her at the side of the face sending her crashing into the wall. She moved and barely avoided a flying mace. She traded blows with Taro, until Ryouga managed to hit her from behind. She stumbled forward, straight into Taro's punches. Her defence faltered, and she felt them hit. She felt them all as they pounded against her abdomen, and she fell. She fell as she felt the cramps, she fell as she felt a small line of blood trickling down her legs, she fell as she felt the small tingling sensation evaporate. And so fell her control; her dream was shattered, and the anger rose. It blossomed into extravagant proportions. It was gone, her baby was gone. They would die! Ryouga, Mousse and Taro crowded Ranma intent on beating her senseless when a huge surge of energy sent them flying away. They gazed upon Ranma as they got up. Something was different about this Ranma. They could feel the stillness in the air as Ranma's ki collected and sizzled around her, crackling and arching menacingly around her body. They could feel the heat. Each knew that something was wrong, something had happened, then they saw her eyes. They saw the intense fury in her eyes, and for once in their lives they were afraid of Ranma. For the first time, Ranma looked dangerous, and they were deathly afraid. "Ranma?" asked Ryouga cautiously as he watched her. Then he felt it. He felt an intense bolt race across his skin. But it was not meant for him, he watched as it slammed against Mousse imbedding him into the nearby wall. Such anger! Such power! Taro didn't care about Mousse. This Ranma was totally different; this Ranma was dangerous, almost demonic. Taro looked around frantically for some water. His cursed form might be able to handle this. The pond was too far away, Taro knew he could not afford to put his back to Ranma, there was only one thing he could do. Taro squared up against Ranma and attacked. He was actually doing quite well against the pissed off girl until he realised that his hands were being fried by the intense heat around her. In that brief moment of thought, he felt a hundred blows rain against his body, sending him crashing against Mousse. Ryouga stood transfixed as Ranma grabbed him by the collar. Fighting this Ranma was futile. He waited for his judgement. He could feel the anger, the hate, and the depression. All those feelings that he had always dwelt upon. But here they were magnified to even greater proportions. He could feel his clothes burning, he could feel Ranma's ki collecting. He saw the fist coming and closed his eyes. He waited, and waited until he felt himself drop suddenly on the floor. "Stop picking on Ryouga you bully!" shouted a familiar voice. Ryouga opened his eyes slightly, but enough to see an airborne Ranma. And Ryouga knew! He knew that was the worst thing Akane could have possibly done! And he felt sorry, he felt sorry for himself as he ran, as he ran from Ranma, as he willed himself to become lost again. Ranma's final descent landed her in the river, and their she stayed, refusing to move, letting the waters soak through to her skin as she cried bitterly for the loss of her child. She was alone now, cursed to be forever alone! ************ Some days later... Ranma Saotome approached Akane and Nabiki as they walked down the streets of Nerima not very far from their home. At first she had felt an intense hatred for Nabiki, but after a while, it settled into a dull ache. Although she was partially responsible, it was not her fault. She hoped she never crossed paths with any of those three men again. She didn't know what she would do to them. She shadowed Akane and Nabiki quietly pondering just how she was to go about her plan, her plan to finally free Akane, when it just happened. She felt Shampoo's imminent approach and hurried to get into position. She jumped right in front of Akane when wham, she was creamed by the bicycle wielding bimbo from above. "Nihao! Silly Airen! Now Shampoo pick you off ground!" Akane hrumphed while Nabiki watched amusedly. Shampoo peeled her from the floor and kissed her as Akane and Nabiki watched. Both knew what was going to happen. Ranma would fail to get free and Akane would mallet him into the next district. What they didn't anticipate was that Ranma would kiss Shampoo, and boy did Ranma kiss Shampoo back. Nabiki could count the seconds on her watch as Ranma kissed Shampoo. Then she saw Akane's face, it went from one of anger to confusion to disgust to sorrow in those few seconds, and the mallet fell out of her hands harmlessly, dropping to the cold pavement with a thud. "Ranma from now on our engagement is over..." she said evenly "That's fine by me!" replied Ranma to Akane who was now racing home, sobbing mercilessly into her hands. Nabiki saw Ranma's hand reach out to the fleeting figure then it dropped, it dropped just like Shampoo dropped as the amazon fainted to the ground. Ranma turned away. Nabiki had to decide whom to follow. Ranma or Akane? It was a decision more easily made than she thought. "Ranma what the hell was that about!" Ranma ignored her "Answer me!" she shouted. No answer. Nabiki realised that Ranma wasn't wearing the ring but he was wearing his Chinese clothes. She grabbed a cup of tea from a passer-by and flung it at Ranma. It splashed against Ranma's back, but the change Nabiki was expecting did not come. "Nabiki, leave me alone!" Ranma replied without any hint of emotion. Nabiki was shocked. Why didn't Ranma change? She had to find out! Nabiki knew what she would do, she knew how to play people; she knew how to play Ranma. A silent click was heard. "No Ranma, you hurt my sister. I will make your life living hell!" Ranma laughed. "And how do you plan on doing that!" "I have my ways. I can make it so that no one will ever welcome you in this town again!" "It's not like I'm coming back." Then Ranma stroked her chin and produced a flask. "Give this to pops and Ryouga." "What is it?" "The Nannichuan." "Why don't you use it?" "It won't work on me. I hav'ta find another cure." A blatant lie! "Why?" Ranma was getting tired of all these questions. She had things to do! "'Cause I tried it already OK!" she shouted back at Nabiki. Nabiki relentlessly pressed on. "When?" "The night before I left." "What happened?" "We were attacked and I was cursed again while Akane...." "What! What happened to my sister!" Ranma did not reply. "Ranma, answer me, or I will never give them this!" she held the flask for her to see. Ranma cringed. No matter what, she had to get that water to Ryouga. It was the only way to reclaim her honour. She might hate Ryouga now, but her honour rested on getting that water back to him. "Ranma!" "What!" "Tell me!" "Alright. (pause) I cursed Akane with the Nannichuan." "What! But she doesn't..." "I cured her afterwards." Nabiki could see a tear begin to roll down Ranma's face. Ranma crying! That wasn't anything like the Ranma she knew. What would make Ranma of all people cry? "Does she know?" "No I cured her and erased the memories," whispered Ranma. "Why?" "Because I don't want her to end up like me..." "So all that back there, what was that about?" "I'm leaving...and I don't want her following me." It all made sense to Nabiki: Ranma kissing Shampoo. What better way of getting Akane to hate him. But still he didn't have to go away, unless... "Ranma," spoke Nabiki softly, "Do you...do you love her?" "I...I can't love her, not anymore..." replied Ranma so softly that Nabiki strained to hear it. She hoped she got that on the tape. If she could get Ranma to apologise to Akane, maybe together they could find another way to remove the curse. Maybe the old woman... "Go to her..." "No!" replied Ranma sharply. "She doesn't deserve this, she deserves more, more than I could ever give her." And with that, Ranma was gone from her sight. Nabiki searched for her cell-phone. <Miko, I want everyone, everyone to follow Ranma. You understand?> <But boss the...> <Do you understand!> <Yes boss.> Nabiki sprinted home. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, stampeding through the streets. She almost knocked over Kasumi as she entered the house. She would apologise later. Right now, there were things that had to be done, and quickly too! Nabiki pounded against the door. "Akane open up!" "No! Leave me alone!" There wasn't any time for this... "Akane, if you have any wish of seeing Ranma again, open the blasted door!" The door opened and Nabiki entered, slamming it behind her. Then she played the tape and watched as Akane's face turned from one of anger to wonderment. Akane turned to her sister unbelievingly. "Did Ranma put you up to this?" "What?" "Did he?" "I can't believe you're asking me that!" screamed Nabiki "I wish you would all stop trying to control by life!" shouted Akane "Arghhhhh..." was all Nabiki could reply with as she stamped out of Akane's room, crushing the mini-cassette player in her hand. The woman-spirit hovered around Akane's room unseen. She knew what she must do. This was the only way she could compensate for her actions. She entered Akane's mind and slowly unravelled Ranma's hypnotic suggestions. The memories started revealing themselves to Akane. First they came as a trickle, then a whole deluge of hidden emotion and experiences threatened to overcome her, Akane held her head painfully. She remembered their whole night together. She remembered every soft kiss, every little caress, every sensational moment. And Akane's heart felt heavy as she panged for her lover. "Ranma. Where are you?" whispered Akane The spirit left her mind and materialised before her. "Akane, do you want Ranma back?" Akane stood stunned by the spirit as she remembered why Ranma was cursed. "You...You...." "Yes, I cursed Ranma alright!" replied the spirit indignantly, "But time is wasting. Do you want Ranma? Are you willing to pay the price?" Akane vigorously nodded her head. "Are you sure?" "Yes, yes, I'm sure. I'll do anything to see her again!" "Even marry her?" "Yes!" The spirit held out the flask that Nabiki had forgotten in the room. "Even be cursed?" Akane thinks but for a second...her emotions triumphing over her reason. "She always put me before the curse. For her, I'll do anything!" Akane felt the drops of the cursed liquid fall on her skin. She felt the magic within them. She felt the magic flow through her. She felt the change as flesh shifted. She felt herself broaden, her limbs lengthen, her muscles thicken. She was a man. Then as suddenly as she had changed, the world shifted as the human body took the form of a white dove o 0 How will we find her? 0 o asked Akane o 0 Follow your heart, let it lead you 0 o Two doves hurried away from the Tendo Dojo Nabiki called a number on her cell. <Where's Ranma now?> <Sorry boss, we lost her!> <Damn!> Nabiki slammed the phone shut. Things were not looking up. Both in business and in the family. Ranma...what have you done? *********** Ranma hopped off the train and slowly hiked from the small town to the shrine and the hot springs she had visited before. The way to these springs was very treacherous. The trail was etched along a cliff, and landslides were frequent. Thus no one except daredevils and martial artists like herself, dared such fate and scoffed at the danger. Each second felt like an eternity. Finally, the trail widened and took her to the plateau. The shrine was in good condition considering that hardly anyone came up here anymore. Ranma found some supplies and set to work to restore what could well be her new home. After a couple of hours of work, the wooden structure finally resembled something akin to its original glory. All that patchwork at the Tendo's had certainly given her enough practice in carpentry. She saw the springs from afar, inviting her to enter. She threw off her clothes and dove in, allowing the water to soothe her. She allowed herself to relax in those soothing waters and felt a tear fall against her cheek then another and another. She cried. Finally, she had done it, she had left Nerima for good, she had freed Akane. She knew it was the only thing she could do and she was glad that she did it. Maybe Akane would find someone else, someone who deserved her, someone who would take care of her, someone who would love her as much as she had. Maybe Akane might finally be able to find that peace she always wanted. Ranma could feel the cold loneliness gather around her. She shivered in the hot water. Her hand momentarily rubbed her abdomen reminding her of that which was not to be. She was alone now. Alone forever. Ranma closed her eyes in a meditative trance and time passed by. She felt something alight on her hand. Two beautiful shining white doves. 'Well maybe she wouldn't be all alone up here,' Ranma thought. The doves allowed her to pet them, to stroke their glossy wings. For some reason, they flew off from their perch on her hand landing softly on the ground not far away. All the while, she kept her eyes on them. Something about them captivated her. The doves landed and began to glow. Ranma hastily donned her clothing. 'Guess the curse 'may you have interesting times' still holds,' she surmised. The doves glowed and slowly began to take shape. And the shape took form and Ranma knew the forms. One was the form of someone she loved dearly, of someone who was constantly a source of happiness in her thoughts and dreams. The other was someone she hated, a nightmare of a time past and of something she wanted to bury. Both were before her now. Akane's female clothes were rags around his body. Barely holding onto the skin. Ranma never took her eyes from the duo as they approached. She subconsciously tensed her body, ready for a fight. "What are you doing here!" challenged Ranma "Ranma I...we're here to take you back!" replied Akane "I ain't coming!" "Please Ranma, please! Come back home with me?" "No Akane. You should go home." "I'm not leaving without you. How could I leave you after what we did!" "Don't let me hold you back. Go and find someone who deserves you..." "But I want you..." implored Akane "You can't have me!" shouted Ranma "Why?" asked Akane as he ventured forward to her, "Is it because of the curse?" "No it's not the curse." "Then why, tell me why!" "'cause I failed alright. I'm a failure. I failed to keep you safe. I failed my mother..." the tears came readily to Ranma's eyes. "...I failed my child...I.....I..." She never finished as Akane held her to his chest. Stroking her hair. "Shhh Ranma...It'll be okay." Akane let Ranma cry on his shoulder, he let her cry there for a long time. He kissed her forehead, and was stunned as she suddenly pushed away. Ranma gazed upon his body and Akane understood. "Akane, why...why, I cured you, why?" "Because I want to be with you Ranma." "You shouldn't have..." implored Ranma Akane's temper rose. "Why shouldn't I! You've done it all the time for me. You've always been there for me..." "But Akane..." "No Ranma, when I took you that night I made a promise. I told you I loved you, I made you a Tendo." Akane pulled her into a crushing embrace. "You are mine Ranma, I'll never let you go." Both of them cried as they held each other tightly. Even the spirit was moved and stood there, crying silently. "Akane, do you...do you still love me?" asked Ranma hopefully between sobs. "Oh Ranma, of course I do," exclaimed Akane as he crushed her against him, revelling in their closeness. The crying started again. When Akane gained her composure, she held Ranma's hands in hers, then moved them so that they rested gently on Ranma's cheeks. "Ranma," whispered Akane, "Will you marry me?" Ranma didn't bother answering as she entwined her fingers with his and they kissed momentarily. She rested her head against the crook of his neck. She suddenly felt security within those arms. She would not leave him now. She could never leave him. Not again. Ranma opened her eyes, facing the spirit. The spirit met her glare and melted under the intense heat behind it. She bowed to Ranma. "Saotome Ranma, I have wronged you. I cannot hope to repair the damage of my actions, but I pray that there may be some way you can forgive me." Ranma wanted to beat her, she wanted to blow her away with a Moko Takabisha, but Akane's hands held her tightly and, she had no inclination from moving from his hands. She sighed as her anger melted, being driven away by her love for Akane. "Ranma, be gentle with her...for me...please," whispered Akane into her ear. "Promise me..." Ranma sighed again, Akane was right. "Okay..." she whispered softly so that only he could hear. She levelled her gaze at the spirit; she still did not trust it. "Well I guess you did bring us together, but I can never go home." The spirit smiled. "Oh, I think something can be arranged. Come now, I think someone is waiting for you in the shrine." Akane followed the spirit. The only reason Ranma went was that Akane held her tightly against himself, preventing her from leaving his side. Ranma and Akane entered the shrine and Ranma gasped. "Hey, who decorated?" "Ranma, surely you'd want your own wedding shrine decorated...." Ranma and Akane gaped at the spirit. "You planned this all along didn't you?" asked Ranma suspiciously. She received no answer from the spirit. ************ Ranma and Akane sat in one of the hot springs, both girls and both enjoying each other's company immensely. Right after the ceremonies, they had decided that a hot bath was right in the order of things. Akane pulled out a flask from her shredded clothing and showed it to Ranma. "Akane, you don't have to if you don't want to," spoke Ranma softly. "I don't have to Ranma, but I want to. I need a bit of control and sanity." Her mind was telling her not to. It was telling her to listen to reason, but the emotions. She knew what had to be done; she would deal with everything else later. She had to do this. She had to do it for herself, and for Ranma. Akane held up the flask to complete the task ahead when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Let me..." Akane handed Ranma the flask and watched as the drops gently fell against her forehead. "It is complete," announced Ranma . Akane was permanently a man. Akane wrapped his hands around Ranma. "Now my love, what are we going to do with the rest of the night?" asked Akane slyly. "I was thinking that my wife and..." "Wife?" "Well you're legally a girl, and I'm legally a boy," stated Ranma. Akane stood to object, but his lips met with stiff opposition. He knew he already lost this battle. "Okay I surrender," he muttered when she broke off the kiss. "So what are we going to tell everyone when we get back?" asked Akane. "We'll think of something..." replied Ranma Ranma escaped from his hands and seductively slid out of the pool making sure Akane got an eyeful of her new body. She lay on the mat and patted the empty space at her side. Akane arose from the waters and loomed over Ranma. Ranma reached for him and brought him down so that their faces touched. "Remember last time..." Ranma whispered. Akane smiled. "Let's try and make it even better." Akane took the hint and slowly, passionately made Ranma his all over again. The spirit wandered away from the pair back into the old shrine. It seemed that things would work out now. She only had a few loose ends to deal with: a panda and a freak...but all things come in time... A flash of light stopped her in her tracks. "Yannas!" Comments? send to ironmj@yahoo.com www.geocities.com/tokyo/fuji/1912/Lord_Overon.htm Author's Note: When Akane was splashed with the Nannichuan, and then with the Nyannichuan, there was no locking of the curse. I am assuming here, that the curse only locks if you are splashed with the same boiled water twice... Also, Ranma was splashed by the Nannichuan in the beginning when he splashed Akane with no change occurring to him Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy. From: lord_overon@my-deja.com Subject: [Ranma][FanFic] The Heart of Ranma Trilogy Book 2 Ranma 1/2 is the property and invention of Rumiko Takahashi. The following story is not produced for any monetary or personal gain. Its sole purpose is to entertain using the characters and plots developed by Takahashi. ALL rights reserved Ranma 1/2: Holding On The second book in The Heart of Ranma Trilogy.... By Lord Overon: http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/fuji/1912/Lord_Overon.html Akane could not sleep. His head was filled with thoughts. He was a man today and had been a woman yesterday. He didn't even dare ask the question if it was all worth it. He had already got past that barrier. But what of his former life? What would his friends think about him? How would they react? How would his family react? Especially dad! What would he wear? Would he have to change his birth certificate? He had no idea how to be a man. He had no idea how to act like a man. He had never planned to be the one who was supposed to be in charge. He had always thought before that that responsibility would fall to Ranma when they got married. Ranma was the woman now, and he was the man. Everything had been completely disrupted. He knew nothing about how to be a proper husband, and he already had a wife to take care of. If he was the man, he would naturally have to take care of Ranma. It was just too much to think about. In only one day, he had changed genders and was married. He was feeling panicky when faced with all the changes. A stray strand of silky red hair managed to force it's way to his ear, tickling him. He brushed it away nonchalantly and gazed down at the person sleeping at his side. He had done it all for her and would do it again in a heartbeat. Before the spirit had appeared in the room, for only a few seconds, life without Ranma could have been a reality. That was a reality Akane was not ready to face. Ranma had become a mainstay in his life. Over time, he had grown accustomed to all the trouble Ranma brought along as baggage. He wished they could stay like this forever. Just the two of them together, no one else to bother them. He never wanted to lose her again. She was his life! His eyes gazed lovingly at her serene face as it lay next to his. He smiled. It was not as if Ranma was not attractive or anything. It was quite the opposite actually. She was definitely the most beautiful thing he had ever laid his eyes on. He passed his hand gently down her side. Gosh she was beautiful! He knew any man would be lucky to have her as his wife and he was ecstatically happy that he had been the one. He felt every touch of her body against his and would have woken her if he wasn't already so tired. He always knew Ranma would be demanding, but he never expected her to be that demanding. Come to think of it, before last night, he had never really ever given much thought to having Ranma as a girl. Suddenly her face grimaced. He felt as she struggled against his chest and her hands shot out defensively. "No! No! Please don't!" Acting instantly, Akane soothed her. "Ranma I'm here, I'm here love, shhh..." Ranma awoke and held onto Akane like a lifeline. Akane stroked her face. Even under the warmth of the covers, she shivered slightly. He could see the tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Wanna tell me about it?" he asked as he whispered into her ear. She turned and smiled in the midst of her wet eyes. "Nah, don't worry about me. You know how it is with me and nightmares. How about you, how are you holding up?" She stroked his broad chest, sending ripples up his spine. He could see the longing and the love radiating from her eyes. He saw that now when she looked at him. He needed nothing else than to see those baby blue eyes gazing at him lovingly. That alone assured him that he had made the right decision. "It's different," murmured Akane, "Now I know what you felt every time you changed." Ranma placed her hands under his head and rest her head on his chest. "Are you sorry that we..." "No Ranma, I'm not sorry! And I'd do it again if I had too." "I didn't mean that!" retorted Ranma, then she lowered her voice. "I was talking about before the spirit. Why didn't we...." "Why didn't we what?" "Why didn't we figure out that we were already in love?" Akane pulled her closer to him. "We were just too dumb," he replied as he pressed upon her willing lips. They lay there kissing passionately for a long time. Dawn with her rosy fingers broke the sky as the two lovers stared at each other. "I don't want to get up," muttered Akane. "Neither do I, but we hav'ta." "Why?" "'Cause pretty soon, Kasumi and everyone else will be worried about you." "Well I'm not getting up!" stated Akane indignantly. "I thought we talked about this last night," answered Ranma. "Well I changed my mind and I'm not getting up!" "Oh yeah!" "Yeah!" taunted Akane. Ranma levered her feet on the ground while she picked Akane off the sleeping bag and sent him flying. "Ahhhh...Ranma you...urk..." (splash) Akane sputtered as he broke the surface of the hot spring only to be confronted by the body of a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and knew exactly how to get it. Ranma kissed him as soon as he had a fair breath. She drew out the breath, making Akane light headed. "I see you haven't lost your touch," panted Akane as Ranma broke the kiss. "Why should I," replied Ranma as she was lowered gently onto the bank of the spring. Akane thought he felt some of his stamina returning. *I wonder where Mai is* thought Ranma as an aside, before Akane started kissing her. Mai, the spirit, stared down at the couple. She sighed. She should have been more careful with her temper. At least they did not seem to have too many problems. She respected Ranma. After all the girl had been through, she had still managed to grow up a decent human being. Mai had felt the intensity of the girl's love for her unborn child. Such great love. Mai still felt guilty and had healed Ranma at the ceremony. She had removed the inner scars of Ranma's womb, and had left nature to its course. She resolved she would help the girl as much as she could, once it was within her power Akane seemed to be a surprise to her. It was strange how the girl turned boy seemed to adjust so easily to the situation. After peeking into her mind, Mai saw that it held no barriers and only had the remnants of a wall that was used to barricade Akane's feelings for Ranma. Akane had really been a tomboy after all. Mai wondered if what she did to Ranma had been the right thing. There had been many barriers in that mind. She had felt some overpowering evil barricaded behind a very thick mental barrier. She had made sure not to touch that at all. The blockade around Ranma's female thoughts were like paper compared to the fortress around the evil. Mai was just glad that Ranma had such great willpower to put up that effective a barrier against the evil. Mai's biggest problem had been the appearance of Yannas, her elder spirit. He forbade her under any circumstances to exact any great measure of revenge against the panda and the freak. Mai had rebelled and screamed for no end, but her efforts were fruitless. Yannas held. In the end, she could do nothing, and she knew why he had forbid her. Up to now, she had possibly ruined two people's lives. There was no way Yannas would allow her to ruin more, especially if the order came from the man above. He had also forbid her from interfering in he lives of the two lovers below. She had really pleaded against that, but to no avail. She had hoped she could at least have got that revoked. Those two were on their own from now on. **************** "Ranma, just how long is this going to take?" asked Akane impatiently. "Just wait a sec," replied Ranma, "I'm almost finished! (pause) There!" Ranma gave Akana a mirror. "Wow, you really can cut hair!" exclaimed Akane as he sported a more masculine hairstyle. "You try living ten years with pops. It's amazing all the things you have to do for yourself." Akane was dressed in Ranma's Chinese silk clothes, which filled out quite nicely against his massive frame. Ranma had opted for a lovely red kimono to complement Akane's clothes. To the observer, they looked like two professional models. "So what now?" asked Akane. "Well we hav'ta get some clothes for you," smirked Ranma as she punched him in the shoulder. "Ow...get back here you! Whoops!" Wham! "Ahhhahahaha....I thought after all that exercise last night you would at least get accustomed to your new body. Come on, let's see if we can get some training done." "Training?" replied a shocked Akane. "Of course. I can't be seen in public with a klutz as a husband." "Why you!" "Nyah...nyah...bet'ya can't catch me...." teased Ranma. "Get back here Ranma!" Hours later... A bruised Akane and a bubbly Ranma are walking back to the train station. "You didn't have to train me so hard you know." "Oh, and who's the one always complaining that I don't give 'em enough respect." (Pretending to be female Akane, Ranma strikes a pose that is remarkably similar to female Akane. Her hands are on her hips and her face is pouting.) "...'I'm a martial artist too. I can take care of myself...'" "Alright, alright, I get the picture!" replied an exasperated Akane. Ranma spied a phone and started to call the Tendo's. "Hey let me," challenged Akane. "Yeah right, like Kasumi would recognise your voice," retorted Ranma. "Oh..." The Tendo residence... Nabiki and Kasumi were sitting around the table. Auntie had just called and asked if anyone had seen Ranma. Of course no one had. When they went to ask Akane, she was not in her room. Nabiki glanced at her sister. Kasumi was worried, that much Nabiki could figure out. Nabiki knew that Ranma had left Nerima and was or could be anywhere in Japan right now. Akane, Akane was a different problem. No one knew when she left or why. After Nabiki had stormed out of Akane's room, she had gone to her room, slamming the door. Knowing Akane's temper, everyone had stayed out of Akane's room that day. Even Kasumi thought it would be better to leave her alone. Now she was gone, but where, no one knew. She might have gone to Ryugenzawa again or she could be out with friends. They just had to hope she was okay. Nabiki sighed, worrying about Akane and Ranma seemed to have become a norm in this house for the last few months. (ring) Kasumi answered. <Hello, Tendo residence.> <Hi Kasumi, this is one of Akane's friends. She'll be coming home a bit late tonight.> <Oh my. Is everything alright?> <Everything's fine. We'll see you in a while. Bye> <Bye> (click) "Who was that?" asked Nabiki "One of Akane's friends. They'll be back later tonight." "Oh." Nabiki's mind started to race. Ranma had left; Akane was with friends. Something was not adding up here. She was missing a piece of the puzzle. Kasumi would have easily recognise Akane or Ranma's voice over the phone. They couldn't be together. Where was Akane, and who was this friend? Nabiki knew there was something that she was overlooking. But what was it? Ranma was out of the picture, or was he? Nabiki wished she hadn't destroyed the tape in her fit of anger. She really would have liked to play what Ranma had said to her earlier. 'Guess the violent streak is in me too,' she thought. She hadn't told anyone about Ranma, not yet. She was holding out for the slim chance that Ranma would return. Nabiki went to her room, mulling in her thoughts. Genma tried to comfort his crying friend when they heard that Akane was with friends and was safe. The tears drenched his skin, triggering his curse. Genma-Panda rolled around the floor, scratching intensely. "Oh my, I do believe Uncle Saotome has caught something," declared Kasumi. "Should I call Dr. Tofu?" Mai grinned from her perch. Sure, she couldn't exact revenge, but Yannas didn't tell her she couldn't have some fun. ************** Two figures alighted from the train and slowly made their way through the outskirts of Tokyo. The rain began to pour, but luckily for the pair, they had an umbrella handy. Not many people dared to brave the atrocious weather. "That looks like Ryouga's umbrella," remarked Akane. "I think it is," replied Ranma, "He always leaves the things hanging around the Dojo." "So where to first?" asked Akane. "Mom," replied Ranma with a trace of fear. Akane easily recognised it from her voice. "Ranma, what's wrong?" No response. "Something happened between you and your mother didn't it?" pursued Akane. "Yeah, we sorta had a disagreement. She wanted me to go on a date with some guy and when I refused, we got into a really big argument. That was two nights ago," sighed Ranma. "And your mom doesn't know who you are or where you are," surmised Akane. "I...I don't know if she will take me back or accept me as her child, and what about the promise?" "Ranma, you know she has no hold on you. You're my wife, and I decide that you live." Akane hugged his wife tenaciously. Ranma smiled back. Akane held her close to him as they continued their slow journey to the Saotome household. Although Ranma felt safe with Akane's hands around her, her mind was in turmoil. What if her mother made her choose? What if she disowned her? There were too many possibilities. By chance she noticed how Akane was walking. "Akane, you can't walk like that!" she said exasperatedly. "Like what!" "Like a girl!" "But I always walk like this," stated Akane indignantly. "When you were a girl," added Ranma, "You're a guy now." Ranma positioned herself behind Akane and held his hips making sure they didn't sway. After a while Akane finally got the hang of it and now both of them, partially drenched, looked for a place to take shelter. Ranma spotted the ice cream shop open. Ice-cream for some reason just sounded good at that moment. Ranma hastily pulled Akane into the establishment and picked out the most secluded stall. The one to the corner of the store, practically hidden by the serving counter. They ordered and sat in the stall eating their ice-cream. Ranma noticed how silent Akane was. "What are you thinking?" asked Ranma. "Huh!" "Well you're not speaking to me so something has to be pretty interesting." Akane put his arm around her while placing a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. Ranma nodded appreciatively, but her eyes told him that she still wanted an answer. "I'm only now realising how different it's going to be. I mean, I just had to correct how I walk. I can't wear any of my old clothes anymore. I can't even go to the bathroom without blushing...it's just so different. But then, that's what you always had to face." Ranma smiled and passed her hand tenderly across his cheek. "It's not that bad, and I'll be here to help you. Think of it as training." "You're starting to sound like your old man," quipped Akane. "Hey I'm nothing like my old man!" retorted Ranma. Akane placed his hand on her mouth to calm her. "I didn't mean it that way. (pauses and removes his hand) So what was the change like?" "Which one?" asked Ranma "Becoming a woman," replied Akane. "It wasn't that bad. I had mom to help me and show me what to do, but I don't even think I want to be a housewife," added Ranma with mock anger. Although he smiled outwardly at the joke, Akane felt guilty. It should have been him helping Ranma to adjust. He just felt he had to say something. "No matter what Ranma, I promise I'll always be there for you." "I know. (pause) So how's it feel to stand up to pee." Akane looked a bit shocked at the question and then he started to chuckle and broke out in laughter. He was quickly followed by Ranma who realised just how funny that sounded. When they quieted down, they served each other the ice-cream. Realisation dawned on Akane that they still had to adjust and define what exactly their roles would be in this marriage. Ranma was infinitely better than him as a martial artist and the role of sensei was rightfully hers. And speaking of roles, since he was still technically the wife by law, he would have to cook, wouldn't he? Somehow a stray question escaped his lips. "Ranma, you know, since I am a man, does this mean you will be cooking?" "Hey, at least that's better than eating your cooking!" declared Ranma. "I wonder how I ever lasted..." Akane's blood began to boil. Why was Ranma insulting him again? His fiery temper was lit. "Ranma are you insulting my cooking!" His hand went up to strike, then Akane caught himself. He saw to his horror that Ranma had already braced herself, closing her eyes and bringing her hands in front her body. He was...he almost, he almost hit her! He caught her arms from their defensive position and held her tightly. "Ranma I'm sorry..." he whispered. Ranma open her eyes, she expected to have been plastered somewhere. "What? What's wrong?" asked a surprised Ranma. "You mean you don't know what's wrong?" Ranma shook her head. Akane looked at his hands. What had he been doing to Ranma all this time they had been together? Ranma had just accepted taking a blow from him as if it were something normal. Only now did Akane see the true evil in his old ways. He had trained Ranma, he had trained Ranma to accept abuse, and Ranma accepted it without question. He didn't want to hit her he only wanted to protect her. What kind of a person was he? He held her tighter still. "I...don't want to hit you anymore Ranma." "Why not? It's fun!" "Fun! You call getting beat up fun!" asked Akane his voice slightly raised. "Hey...well, it was the only way I could ever get you to recognise me," she replied sullenly. "Otherwise you would just ignore me like everyone else." Recognise her? Then it all fell into place. As a girl, Akane would never acknowledge Ranma's presence if it wasn't for some insult or another thrown inhis direction. He had never seen that side of Ranma before. He had never dreamed of Ranma being so starved for affection that he would gladly take all those beatings just to be acknowledged. He had to find some other way for her to feel loved. Then, he grinned inwardly... "I've got other ideas on how we can have fun," added Akane in an undertone. Ranma felt Akane's touch as he placed his cold hand against her thigh. She jumped, and landed on his lap. Akane used his opportunity well, subduing a still jumpy Ranma into a long kiss. "If it's anything like that, I'm in," whispered Ranma as she lay her head against his shoulder. "Well, I can't chase you all the time with a mallet when you're pregnant can I," quipped Akane as he bent down to scoop another spoonful of ice-cream. His eyes opened as he realised what he just said. Pregnancy, jeez! He hadn't thought of that. How would Ranma react to that? He knew Ranma had accepted being female, but was she ready for that? Heck, was he ready for that? A couple of days ago, he would have been the one worrying about having a baby. But there was no way of shirking the question. They were already active and things can just happen by themselves. How their lives had been before this was proof enough. Fiancées, princes, demons, curses, magic, goddesses, jeez, with Ranma, anything was possible. If Akane's head had been facing her, he would have seen how quickly the colour had drained from her face when he said that. He only recognised that she was a little disturbed by the time he turned to face her. He thought it was because of the idea of having children but the real reason was far from it. "I always thought I would be the one to have our children," noted Akane gently. "So did I," replied a recovering Ranma. "How...how do you feel about having children?" asked Akane cautiously. Ranma smiled contentedly at him. "How many do you want..." she whispered into his ear. Akane was surprised. "You, you have actually thought about it?" asked Akane incredulously. "I had a lot to time to think about it," replied Ranma defensively. It was true though. She had had more than enough time to think about her child. Weeks actually. Akane marvelled at the wonder of a person he had before him. Suddenly he felt like the luckiest person in the world. They kissed. Flash! Flash! They broke the kiss quickly, expecting some sort of trouble. "Sorry to do that," apologised a fairly lovely lady, "But you two look so perfect together." She handed them one of the photographs. "I would like to have your permission to publish this in the next paper," she asked. Akane looked at Ranma. She answered... "That's not a good idea right now. But if you give me your card, I'll tell you when you can publish it." The woman bowed and left them alone. "I never thought you could think so quickly," stated Akane. "That's because _you_ don't go to St Hebereke's," countered Ranma. Why was that name so familiar, thought Akane. The two finished their ice-cream in the seclusion of the stall, albeit with some intentional messiness. How a cherry could slip into the inner folds of Ranma's kimono? Only they knew. The rain had stopped and the two lovers walked slowly through cool air of the night. Akane kept his hand around Ranma's waist just like he had seen it done in the movies. From how Ranma responded he was sure he was doing that right. His gaze was focused on her. He was entranced with how her face glowed in the fading light. How the curve of her neck and the glistening of her soft, red, full, lips felt so inviting. How she seemed to just fill his senses completely. A cackling laugh broke their intensely loving gazes... "So harridan, you hide my Ranma-sama from me but dare cavort with other men. Now you will feel the true wrath of the Black Rose..." Ranma barely noticed the rose as it flew from Kodachi's hand towards Akane. She easily plucked it from the air. Ouch! Carefully she pulled out the offending thorn. By the time he looked up again, the insane gymnast had already disappeared. "That was strange," remarked Akane "Try going to the same school with her," replied Ranma. Akane put two and two together. "St. Hebereke's, that's Kodachi's school!" "Yeah, It's closer to Mom's house and she knows a couple of teachers there." "So that's why she sent you there." "I guess so." "I'd hate to have to go to school with Kodachi." "Believe me, it ain't no picnic." Akane put her hand around Ranma's waist again and they continued their walk. Neither struck up a conversation again since they were comforted by the others presence and the cool evening air. They were only a couple of blocks away from the Saotome House when Akane felt Ranma cling to him. "Akane, I think I need some help," whispered Ranma in a pained voice. She would have alerted Akane sooner but she thought it was just another one of those things a woman had. The pain rising from her abdomen was becoming overbearing. She knew she had hidden the pain because she thought she could have lasted through it, but she just realised that that wasn't the matter at all. She simply hated having Akane see her this weak. "Ranma, what's wrong?" he asked. But that was before he saw her face. He gasped. Her eyes were blood red and teary, her skin was totally flushed and she looked very pale. What was wrong with her? How had he not seen this while he had been walking with her? He caught her just before she slumped to the ground. He noticed her finger where the thorn had broken her skin. It was all red and puffy. Damn that Kodachi! He did not have time to worry about that now. He picked up his wife and dashed for the only person he could trust Ranma's care to. Moments later... Dr. Tofu was relaxing with a nice hot cup of tea while reading one of hisfavourite novels when someone burst through the outer doors of the clinic. Who could that be? Then he heard someone calling his name. Strange, he had never heard that voice before... Tofu swiftly descended the staircase that separated his home from the clinic. He didn't know who the man was, but there was no mistaking the girl. It was Ranma. "What happened?" he asked. "I think it was Kodachi...she poisoned her or something," related a very worried Akane. Tofu lay Ranma down on one of the beds and gave her a thorough examination. He drew a small sample of blood and tested it for poisons and various concoctions. Finally he found the answer to his questions and injected Ranma with a make-shift remedy. "Don't worry son, she'll be alright. It isn't a strong poison it just makes someone really sick for a couple of days. Knowing Ranma, she'll be up and going in a few," comforted Tofu. Under the clam exterior, he was thanking the kami. That was no ordinary poison Kodachi had used, but the remedy was simple. A little rest and no heavy stress and Ranma should easily be back to normal by tomorrow. They had caught it before it had fully worked itself into her system. With Ranma's legendary healing power and her ability to withstand Akane's cooking, Ranma's recovery should only take a couple of hours at most. The man sat next to Ranma and held Ranma's hand. This was very strange for Tofu. Some weeks ago, Ranma had come into his clinic pregnant. By now, if she still had the child, he would be able to sense its ki within her. There was no trace of a separate life-force. She had lost the child. He wasn't comfortable calling Ranma a 'she' but that was who Ranma was now. It seemed that Ranma had accepted being a woman as well as being a man. This boy was probably Ranma's husband and the father of her child. He had always thought that Ranma would have married Akane, but this was not to be. Apparently, Ranma had fallen for this handsome boy. No wonder Ranma had told him not to tell anyone when she had come in the clinic. However, Tofu knew by instinct that this was not the end of the story. There was always some intricate web behind whatever happened to Ranma. He had no doubts that this was one of those situations. Something had happened to cause this. Something really big. That was the thrill Tofu got from Ranma and his exploits. He loved adventure and mystery and those two seemed to follow Ranma everywhere. He wondered what Akane would do to him. Akane? Wait a minute, he had not seen Akane or heard anything form the Tendo's about her. He knew about Ranma's oath and most of the other rumours about the pigtailed martial artist. On a hunch, he took a closer look at the man. He was sitting in a very effeminate manner on the bedside. Tofu observed the man's face closely and saw the resemblance between Akane and this man distinctively. Could this be? Nah, it couldn't be! But this was Ranma and if it was so, everything would fit perfectly into place. Tofu decided to test his theory. "Akane..." The man turned around when the name was mentioned "It is...it is you Akane!" exclaimed Tofu. Akane nodded sheepishly. "Yes sensei it is me..." "But how?" "I was..." "You'd better let me explain," interrupted Ranma. "Ranma you're awake!" cried Akane. "As if Kodachi, could ever hurt me. After all your cooking, I'm almost immune to poison," commented Ranma. Tofu closed his eyes, waiting for the blow. 1...2....3....4....5....he opened his eyes. He stared at the two, shocked. They were kissing. No mallet, no violence. He smiled he could get used to seeing this a bit more often. He could see himself doing this with a certain beautiful brunette who drove him mad with love every time he saw her. He cleared his throat and was surprised when instead of the two separating, Akane joined Ranma on the bed. Ranma's colour was back, and Tofu could see that Ranma was rapidly recovering from the affects of the potion. However, it would stay in her body for a few days. He just hoped she would stay out of too much trouble until then. These poisons were pretty effective at making a comeback when a person was under a lot of stress. "So back to the story..." "Ah yes well...it all began like this..." *************** A small black pig ambled down the street looking for some place that seemed familiar. It dragged with it a little something for a girl it knew. Such a beautiful, kind, sweet girl. He longed for Akane to hold him again, to cuddle him to her bosom. Ryouga had played out in his mind what had happened that day, and every time he did, he became convinced that Ranma had done it to spite him. They were winning. They were beating Ranma and just like the honourless father he had, Ranma had resorted to trickery to win. Sure Ryouga had felt Ranma's depression, but that was probably all an act. Ryouga knew Ranma would do anything to win. He spat out that name like only a pig could. Ranma didn't deserve her. He didn't deserve a person like Akane. Ranma had even made him so afraid that he had done something wrong that he had run away from Akane; like a coward. 'Damn you Ranma!' shouted Ryouga. Of course it sounded like 'bwee be bwee!' *************** *************** When Akane finished her story, Tofu was going to ask Ranma about the baby. All he had heard was that Ranma had been cursed permanently, had gone by her mother and Akane had cursed himself to be with her. He could tell that their story was full of holes. Knowing those two, a lot more than just getting cursed had happened. He opened his mouth to speak when he heard a scratching at the door. He excused himself went to open the door but saw nothing. It was Akane who sawthe intruder. "P-chan!" he squealed happily. Akane grabbed the wayward pig in a tight hug. Ranma watched the pig with bated anger. Ryouga was here, Ryouga would die. But not here, and not in front of Akane. Ranma controlled her rising anger and tried to think of something else. The only thing that came to her mind was her mother. She had better call her. Her mother wound be worried sick since she had not been home in three days. Ranma knew her mother would be too proud to ask the Tendos for help to look for her. She asked Tofu for the phone. He showed her where it was before he ascended the stairs. <Hello?> <Mom?> <Ranko-chan, where have you been!> <Don't worry mom, I'm coming home tonight and I have something to tell you.> <Yes dear, I'll be expecting you.> That done, Ranma looked for her husband who reassured her by giving her a small peck on the lips. Ranma tried to ignore the urge to make teriyaki pork for dinner. "Hon you might as well call Kasumi and tell her we'll be late." Akane smiled as Ranma's face lit up when he called her hon. Ranma rang the Tendo household. <Hello?> <Kasumi hi, this is Akane's friend, we might be a little late.> <Yes, the weather's been pretty bad hasn't it?> <Yeah...um ..okay, bye.> <Goodnight.> Ranma turned around, now where could her husband have disappeared to? She still had to give him a little token of gratitude. The startled pig made no real attempts to escape the clutches of the man who was holding him. For the last five minutes, Ryouga's mind had gone blank in shock. Ranma had kissed this man and the man had called him 'hon'. How could Ranma betray Akane like that? The honourless perverted dog! He had been stringing her all the time hadn't he. Ryouga would get revenge for Akane. He would defend her honour. Luckily for him. The man who was holding him seemed intent on taking a bath. Ryouga hoped it would be a hot one. Akane hummed as he undressed. He certainly was feeling very sticky after all the training that morning and a nice warm bath seemed to be the ideal thing. He hoped Ranma would join him in a while and maybe then they could have some more fun. He grabbed the pig by the bandanna. He stared at the bandanna. For some reason, it reminded him a lot of Ryouga. He dismissed the thought. He held the pig in his hand as he slowly stepped into the warm water. Ranma heard the water running and smiled. She would join her husband for a nice long soak. Hopefully that little pig would get lost, but if she found that pig, Shampoo's sweet and sour Chinese pork sounded like a tasty dish. As she opened the door to the furo, she saw the worst possible thing... Akane slowly slipped into the water, enjoying the heat as it massaged the tired limbs that Ranma had ran ragged earlier that morning. Everything was going great until P-chan touched water. Then it happened. He saw the pig's limbs grow and transform. He saw the flesh grow and become a man. His eyes widened in surprise and fear and then anger. Then he saw who it was and was furious. Before he could act, he heard another voice in the room. "Ryouga! What are you doing!" shouted Ranma. Akane looked at the two. Ranma seemed angry but not surprised. Ryouga was not impressed by Ranma's outburst. Ranma knew! Damn it, she knew all along! And she hadn't told him! She had never told him! She had just let Ryouga have his way; had let Ryouga into his most private thoughts. But the worst part of it was that he felt betrayed. Ranma had betrayed him. Ranma started glowing red. "Ryouga I'm gonna..." she never finished. "You," shouted Akane as she pointed at Ranma, "You knew all along didn't you!" Ranma looked at Akane aghast and bowed her head. She was still furious with Ryouga, but Akane's outburst had quieted her. "And who are you!" retorted Ryouga. "I'm the same girl you and Ranma played your games on. Isn't that right Ranma?" he spat. "Wha..?" sputtered Ryouga, evidently surprised at the response. "I am Akane," replied Akane with absolutely no trace of caring in his voice. "Akane!" replied a shocked Ryouga. "Akane I can explain..." started Ranma. "Explain what! Explain how you used me for your own perverted pleasure!" retorted Akane as he jumped out of the furo to confront her. "Akane please, it's not like that..." (slap) Ranma bowed and tenderly touched her face where Akane had slapped her. It was starting to swell, but she knew she deserved it. She heard Akane shuffling with his clothes. She held down the urge to cry. "Akane please, you're my husband. If you'll just let me ex...." "Don't you dare call me that!" thundered Akane. "I don't know you," he said as her glared at her. "But Akane..." Ranma held onto his hand as he passed by her on the way to the door. He shrugged her off. "Leave me alone Ranma..." responded Akane in a very low voice. "Will you be back?" asked Ranma hopefully, but she was talking to the wind. The other occupant in the room was quietly trying to soak in all that had happened. Ranma walked into the bathroom and picked up a stray bandanna off the ground. She looked at it intently. Her mood suddenly went from one of pure depression to one filled with both anger and depression. Ryouga tried to soak it all in. Akane was a man. She was not a beautiful young girl anymore, but a man. This was all Ranma fault! It had to be! Somehow, Ranma had cursed her for his own selfish intentions. He was getting angry. Ranma had cursed Akane. Now she could never be his. Damn that Ranma! "Ranma prepare to die!" shouted Ryouga at the woman in front of him who's head was still bowed to the ground. Ryouga attacked. He barely got a fist close to the redhead, when he felt a hand against his throat. He felt himself slammed against the wall of the bathroom. His feet were suspended off the ground as Ranma held him by the throat. He prepared himself to exact his revenge, when he saw her eyes. He felt her hand squeezing against his throat. He tried to pry them away, but it was not working. Ranma's grip became tighter and tighter. Ryouga was gasping for air. "You, you made him leave," accused Ranma. Her voice was cold and unyielding. Ryouga was near panicking. Ranma had his throat in a vice grip and try what he may, he couldn't get her to let him go. Even hitting her didn't seem to bend her resolve. Suddenly, the pressure against his throat was released and he felt himself being thrown into the furo. Ryouga gasped for air as he reached broke the surface, pulling in the precious air that he needed to live. He regarded Ranma, as the redhead was staring at her hands. Ryouga was angry, but another emotion was become more predominant. Ryouga was feeling fear. Fear of Ranma. She could have easily killed him there. He massaged his neck where Ranma had held him. He was angry, but this Ranma was different. He could no longer predict what this Ranma would or could do, and that situation demanded caution. Then he heard it. It was said as a whisper, but the words rang as clear as a bell to Ryouga. "Ryouga, I am giving you three seconds to leave before I kill you. And I can kill you." One. Ryouga wasn't waiting to find out if he could stop this Ranma. This Ranma was unpredictable and dangerous. Damn that honour said he should stand up to him. He would rather be alive than dead, for he knew and had always known that Ranma was better that him. He knew as a fact that in an unrestricted flight with an uninhibited Ranma, he would almost certainly be dead. He hurried to claim his clothes. Two. The bandanna Ranma was holding burst into flame, startling an almost fully dressed Ryouga. He thought of saying something, but the smouldering ashes on the floor told him he was best off leaving. Three. Ranma was alone in the bathroom as she looked around. The air hung around in punctuated silence. Would she have gone through with it? She didn't know. She just felt an intense hatred for pig-boy right now. She just tried to focus her mind, to calm herself. She was feeling very edgy, and a martial artist had to keep their cool at all times. This was especially true of someone with Ranma's talent. "Ranma what happened!" asked a worried Tofu as he made it to the bathroom. The shouting he had expected. This was after all Ranma and Akane, but the violence he could not understand. "We just had an argument," she replied without even looking at him. "Oh." He had not heard much of what was said earlier on. "You know how Akane's gets when she's angry," joked Tofu as he tried to cheer up the girl. It did not work. Ranma slowly stepped out of the bathroom. "Dr. Tofu, I'm going to see my mom." "Shouldn't Akane be with you?" inquired Tofu. "After all, he is your husband." "He said I don't have a husband anymore," she replied quietly as she walked away. "Ranma what happened?" She didn't answer him as she walked noiselessly out of the house, like a haunted apparition. Tofu knew that argument had to be really big. He only hoped the young couple could get past it and make up before it was too late. He should not have let Ranma out of his sight, not in her condition, but he doubted he could do anything to stop her. Especially since she was glowing a faint green. Ranma slowly walked down the street. She made no sound against the pavement as she walked. She looked around, saw no one and took to the roof above. She would have liked to cry then, but her eyes were hardened and dry. They refused her any comforting tears. She felt tired, like the whole world had just been placed on her shoulders. She felt tired and useless. She had had it in her hands, almost. As soon as she finally had some of that happiness she longed for, it just crumbled. The saw the walls crumbling around her. She had lost him. He hated her. He hated her and she could do nothing about it. She felt helpless again, just like when she had lost her child. Once again, she felt the cold darkness setting in. But she had one more chance. One more chance of being accepted. One little light to hold on to. Ranma made a beeline for the Saotome household. Ranma had not seen either Akane or Ryouga while she travelled on the roofs. Akane... She would kill Ryouga if she ever saw him again. He had ruined her life forever. There was only one more chance for her. She stepped in front of the house and knocked on the door. Her mother opened it. Her mother bid her in. Ranma entered. "So dear you finally realise that your mother was right. The Fujimotos are in the shrine awaiting us." Ranma looked around the house and saw the decorations hidden within the dark house. Her mother had planned this all along. From the looks of it, Ranma knew it was supposed to be an engagement party. She was getting angry, but she was too tired to get angry now. This was probably her last hope. "Mom I need to speak to you for a moment about something, then I'll go into the shrine." Ranma felt that is she could just humour her mother for awhile, she might be able to get her to understand, to see things her way. "What is it about?" asked Nodoka. "It's about Ranma." Nodoka got excited, but this soon deflated when she saw the haunted look on Ranma's face. "Is anything wrong?" asked Nodoka. "No no. I just have a story to tell you. Please sit down." Nodoka obliged. Ranma bowed her head and began her story, her eyes stayed transfixed on a certain spot on the floor. "When Ranma was sixteen, his foolish father carried him to the cursed springs of Jusenkyou. Genma ignored the warnings posted along the springs. Eventually, they knocked each other into different springs. Genma, your husband, was knocked into the spring of drowned pand a and turns into a panda every time he is splashed with cold water. Your son (pause) was knocked into the spring of drowned girl, and turns into a girl every time he is splashed with cold water. The curse can be reversed with hot water. Recently, your son was cursed again with the same water, locking him into his girl form. He has since married Akane Tendo who has been cursed with the spring of drowned boy. I am Ranma, your son." Ranma lifted her head and watched her mother, her eyes betrayed how much she hoped her mother would believe her. She could see the emotions playing against her mother's face. She saw love, anger, disappointment, disbelief. She hoped her mother would understand, that her mother would accept her. If she did, then everything would be alright. She would have a family again. She would have a purpose. Ranma waited patiently as her mother sorted out her feelings. "How dare you..." muttered Nodoka threateningly. "How dare come into my house with such lies!" "Mom..." "My son is a man among men: a strong handsome man, a great martial artist and a sensei. How dare you sully his name in my house!" "Mom...I..." "Shut up! I have no daughter!" "It's the truth!" shouted back Ranma. "Go ahead, ask the Tendos. They'll tell you it's the truth." Nodoka drew her katana. How dare this girl defame the name of her precious son? He was no girl. He was a man! Genma had promised to make him a man among men. Under the contract he had to. "Get out! Get out of my house with your lies! What has my son ever done to you!" "I am your son!" shouted Ranma. Nodoka slashed, catching Ranma by surprise. She had hardly any time to dodge. A thin trickle of blood came from where the katana had sliced her upper arm through the kimono. "Get out of my house! And if I ever see you again..." she left the threat open. Ranma gazed at her mother. She saw the fear and the anger in her mother's eyes. She had lost. Her last hope had been destroyed. Her limbs shook with anger, but this was her mother. She was not prepared to fight her mother. The katana loomed in front of her face. She summoned her rock hard will, kami knows she needed it, and bowed. "Goodbye Saotome Nodoka." Nodoka watched the girl leave. Her hands trembled in rage. How dare that little slut say those things about her son? The people in the shrine had entered the house looking for her. She unceremoniously shoved them away. Her eyes somehow fell upon two separate photos in her living room. One was a boy of about five years; the other was of a sixteen-year-old girl. Nodoka saw the resemblance but refused to believe it. She had a son. The girl had to be lying. She had a son, a handsome son, a man among men, a sensei; she had a son... Ranma left the Saotome Household. She ripped off a piece of her kimono and applied it as a bandage. The blade was very sharp and the cut had been very clean, but it was a shallow wound. With her healing techniques it should be completely invisible in a couple of days. Ranma though could not say the same for herself as she wandered aimlessly through the streets. She had lost her child, she had lost her husband, and she had lost her mother. She had no name, nothing to turn back to. She was nameless, no better than the common beggar. She also had no right to practice the Art again. She belonged to no family, no Dojo. Before, if she had left, she could still be content and give her life to the Art, now she had to give up that part of her life as well. It was the only honourable thing to do. Sure she could practice, but she would never be able to teach or use the Art again. She felt the weight against her shoulders. Her hand rifled through her pockets and returned with only a small amount of money. She had no money either. She sighed. She had nothing. No family, no ties. Nothing but the wind as it blew in her face. Only the wind, the rain, the snow and the sun. They were her family now. The moon was her mother, she had always comforted her when she was troubled. The earth was her father, providing food and shelter under his limbs. The snow, the rain and the wind were her brothers and sisters, playing with her when she needed a friend. And boy could she use a friend. Her stomach growled. She wondered how father earth would give her food. "Ran-chan what are you doing here?" "Ucchan!" "Come on in Ran-chan, I'll fix you a double deluxe special." Ranma smiled. She hadn't realised where were wanderings had led her. Good old Ucchan. Perhaps she still had a friend after all. Ranma sat patiently at the counter as her stomach growled eliciting giggles form Ukyou. She was still depressed, but she acted happy for Ukyou's sake. She didn't want to burden possibly her only friend with all her troubles. Soon, a steaming hot okonomyaki faced her on the table. Ranma's mouth watered. It smelled so good; it smelt like possibly the best okonomyaki Ucchan had ever made for her. She wondered if it was the hunger talking. She paused before engulfing the whole thing; her mother's training had done her well. She saw what was written on the tomato paste and lost her appetite. "Ucchan, we need to talk." "What is it Ran-chan?" For Ranma to refuse food was unheard of, for him to just sit and look at it was also unheard of. "Could you bring me some hot water?" Ukyou poured him a cup. She smiled as Ranma placed his hand in the cup. Although her Ran-chan was dressing up for his mother, she knew this person was not her Ran-chan. She had missed seeing his muscular body, his strong handsome muscular body. She waited for the change. Nothing happened. She placed her hand in the water. It was warm enough. "Ran-chan, what's going on?" she asked concerned. "I can't change back," replied Ranma. "What do you mean you can't change back!" she responded exasperatedly. "See, I got splashed with the Nyannichuan again..." "So we'll just get some Nannichuan..." "...I'm stuck like this...and I married Akane..." Those words never registered in Ukyou's mind. "... I'll just sell the restaurant and we can go to China and find the cure and then we'll get married..." It sounded so simple to her. Ranma as her husband for the rest of his life. It was a dream. It was Ukyou's dream world. "Ucchan are you listening to me." "Of course Ran-chan. We'll be so happy together once we get to China and rid you of the curse..." "Ucchan listen to me. The curse it's permanent!" "No it isn't!" shouted back Ukyou. "You took my dowry so we will find a cure and then get married." Ranma cringed. She couldn't get married. "What is it Ranma? What haven't you told me?" "I'm married already Ukyou..." she whispered. "To who!" she shouted. "To Akane..." Ranma whispered. "You mean all this time you've been complaining about her and you still married her!" accused Ukyou. "I love him!" shouted Ranma. "I love him..."she repeated silently to herself. The rage built up inside Ukyou. All those years as a boy, all those years chasing Ranma, only to end up back at square one. Ranma was hers, he was supposed to be hers. Curse or not, he was hers. They had taken her dowry, he was hers! "Damn you Ranma!" "Ucchan please..." Ukyou brandished her battle spatula and slapped Ranma with it. Why did Ranma marry Akane, why? She was supposed to get married to Ranma. She could have found a cure for him. Ranma grunted since she had made no attempt to block the spatula. She deserved this. She had lied for too long. Ukyou lifted Ranma's body in one quick stroke and punted Ranma out the roof. "And stay out!" she shouted after the fleeting body. She then collapsed on the floor and began to cry mercilessly. Ranma slowly lifted herself off the street. She was really feeling depressed now, and it showed. She hung her head shamefully as she wandered. She showed no sign of her bright cocky attitude that was characteristic of her. She could add another one to the list. She had lost her child, her husband, her mother, and now her best friend. She knew her mother would be crying her heart out now and so would Ucchan. She never wanted to hurt them. She only wanted one thing. But that was the one thing the kami refused to let her have. She recognised the bridge as she came up to it. She had spent a lot of time alone down there. It was where she could get away from her life for a while. She sat there on the bridge and watched as the water came and past. Akane was angry with her. He had gone so far as to disown her. Her heart felt torn to shreds. She just loved him so much. Her mother was also angry with her. The mother who bore her could only see her if she was a man. And Ucchan, all she wanted was a friend; all she got were fiancées. She sighed. A long hollow sigh. For once, she wanted the tears to come, to fill her eyes, but try as she maythey still refused to shed any moisture. Her stomach growled loudly reminding her that she had not eaten in a long time. She ignored it. She had better things to think about than food. Her arms began to numb, but she paid no notice to them. That was not important. Ranma wondered what would have happened if she had committed seppuku that night when she cursed Akane. She probably could have spared everyone all this pain. Seppuku...it was no longer an option. She had no family to honour, she belonged to no one, to no clan. Tomorrow she would have to begin a new life again, a life where she was hated by all those she loved. The waters below seemed so inviting, but she could not do that. She would be a coward if she took the easy way out, and if there was something that Ranma wasn't, she wasn't a coward. 'I hate my life' she thought. She was violently brought out of her reflection when a surge of pain swept through her abdomen. Ranma clutched her chest tightly. She felt like it was about to explode. Just as the wave of pain came, it left her. The bile rose up in her mouth and instinctively she bent down, spilling the foul, smelling, semi-solid contents of her stomach on the bridge. Her mouth and nose burned from the acid of her stomach. She had barely reacted to the first wave, when the second wave slammed into her, bringing her to her knees. Breathlessly, she struggled down the bridge, using the handrail. Another wave of pain slammed into her, forcing her to the ground again. She struggled to breathe. Did Tofu tell her the truth when he had examined her? She was sure he had lied to make her feel better. She staggered back to her feet and heard a loud rip as part of her kimono clung to a rusty nail sticking out of the railing. Ranma didn't care how she looked right now. Up here, she was very vulnerable to any one of her enemies who would have cause to attack her. She stumbled around the support for the bridge and slid down the concrete wall at the side of the river: a trail of small bruises for her trouble. The pain was becoming overbearing again and the waves came more and more frequently. She felt as if her intestines were wringing themselves within her body. She huddled up under the concrete structure of the bridge, taking some shade from the elements. Her face writhed in pain as the contractions came again and again. She lay there and waited. The pain came in thrashing waves. She wondered if this was how delivering a child would feel. She wondered how much time had passed. She could feel the cold sweat pouring down her face as she continued to fight the pain.She liked struggle. She always had, and she was intent on winning this battle. Her hands were an unnaturally pale colour and she thought she would make an ideal ghost. It came again and she braced for the impact. Her teeth ground against each other as she bit down. Her breaths came unevenly and in great gulps. She could feel herself on fire. Even as she fought down the pain, she knew eventually that it would get to her. Slowly, slowly but surely, her senses were overrun with pain impulses and one by one they began to shut down. She realised she could hear nothing, she could smell nothing. The world was darkening around her. The one thing Ranma said before she left was... "I love you Akane" ************ Akane Tendo sat under his favourite tree at the park. He held his feet up to his chest and clutched his knees. His eyes however betrayed the calm air that surrounded him. He had been there a long time, thinking about himself, about the curse, about Ranma and about Ryouga. How could she have done that to him? How could she have allowed Ryouga to take advantage of him so easily? Why, why had she done it? He knew it was partly his fault. Even with all those hints she had given him, he had been too blind to see the truth. He wondered just how manypeople knew about Ryouga's curse. "Damn you Ranma!" he cursed, but he put no real meaning into it. He loved her. He loved her too much to ever leave her. His thoughts came back to her again. Why did she do it? Why did she keep up the charade? Why hadn't she told him? He wanted to cry? But he was a man now and men don't cry. But he wished he could. How long had he been here watching the waves of the pool? He checked his watch. Wow, two hours! He remembered that he was supposed to go with Ranma to the Saotome house to confront his mother-in-law. He would go to Tofu's, accept Ranma's apology, he would forgive her, and then they would go to the Saotome House together. It sounded like the perfect plan. All he had to do was patch up things with Ranma and everything would be okay. He would kill Ryouga the next time he saw the lost boy. Oh no, the promises. He had failed again; he had promised that he would love her and listen to her. He had gone back on that promise. He had betrayed his promises just as he had betrayed his promise to Kasumi that he wouldn't act without thinking. What had he done? He stared at the ground, contemplating what he should do. He would go to Ranma first. He struggled to get up as his cramped feet refused to move. As he moved, he barely made out the silhouette of someone creeping down the bridge. He wondered if she needed help, but as soon as he saw her, she disappeared. He wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him. He shook off the feeling and struggled back to Tofu sensei's house, his mind heavy. All that thinking had done him some justice. How many times had he accused Ranma? How many times had he called Ranma a bully? How many times had he hit her for apparently little less than a good reason? He too needed to apologise. He would apologise, she would apologise, they would make up, and things would be as good as knew. Akane easily made it across from the park to the clinic. He knocked on the door. "Akane, come in come in," beckoned Tofu, his face a partially hidden mask Akane looked around. "Sensei, where is Ranma?" "Before I answer that question Akane, did you and Ranma have a fight?" Akane nodded sheepishly. "Did you denounce Ranma?" he asked pointedly. There was no time for chitchat. The sooner things got resolved, the easier it would be for the two to patch things up. "Of course not why would I...Oh no...did she..." "No no, she didn't do anything. I just wondered why she would said she had no husband." Akane tried her best to remember what he had told Ranma when he was anger. He face began to pale when he remembered what he told her. "Sensei...where did...where did she go?" Akane stammered. "She went to see her mother," replied Tofu. After that, all he heard was the slamming of the door as Akane ran out of the clinic. Tofu decided that those had hinged doors were definitely a good investment instead of the usual sliding doors, with Ranma and the others, he would have to replace sliding doors every other day. Akane was not totally in control of his new body, but he needed to get to the Saotome house and quickly. He was supposed to be Ranma's back up. He knew Ranma was lousy at explaining things and they had decided that he would be the one to explain. He hoped he wouldn't be too late. What if Ranma's mother had asked her to commit seppuku? Ranma would surely tell her no, wouldn't she? After all she was his wif...Damn. If she thought he had denounced her, and it sure sounded a lot like that when he thought about it, she wouldn't have much of a reason to stay. His pace quickened. He couldn't lose her, not like this. He could fathom losing her to some all powerful enemy but he couldn't see himself losing her byhis own stupid words. Why did he have to say those things to her? Why couldn't he have just sat down and talked with her? He had slapped her! Oh god, he had slapped her! He had promised that he wouldn't, he had promised that he would only be there for her. What had he done? She was his life, and he had pushed her away. But that wasn't the thing that scared him the most, the thing that scared him was that it had been so easy. It had been so easy for him to get angry at her, to sl...slap her, to blame her . He didn't once blame Ryouga or himself: only her. Had he been so conceited all this time? Had his view of Ranma always been so myopic? He had wronged her so many times. Sure she had been an insensitive jerk, but what else could you expect from someone who had been brought up with an excuse for a father for ten years. The coldness began to gather as the night drew on. Akane felt it as he raced and as his mind raced as well. Ranma had taken so much abuse from him. He only hoped that they would survive this time like they always had. Like she always had...alone. She always had to deal with everything alone. Akane had Kasumi, Ranma had... No he would not continue his train of thought. It was too depressing. He would find Ranma at the Saotome House and they would make up there. Akane cemented the idea in his head and forced himself to believe it. Nothing had happened to Ranma, for if anything had happened, Akane knew he would follow Ranma wherever she went. He was fast approaching the Saotome house. He considered bursting through the doors but decided against it. The house for some reason seemed to alarm him and the reason was quite simple. The whole house was in darkness, except for a single light that flickered in the living room. The way the light played against the walls showed that it had to be a candle. Akane cautiously knocked on the door. Something was going on here. He was by no means a coward, but the situation warranted that caution be used. There was no answer so he cracked the door open. He saw no one. He flicked the light switch that he knew would illuminate the room. "Ranma is that you!" exclaimed a voice. Nodoka. "No Auntie Saotome, I'm not Ranma." Akane got a good look at the woman and at the house. Decorations for some party were plastered against the wall, no doubt for a wedding by the looks of it. Akane struggled with herself, trying not to jump to conclusions like he always had. That would get him nowhere but deeper in trouble. His eyes fell back on the woman in front him. The age showed in her eyes. The little makeup she had applied to her face was smudged. Her eyes looked haunted, troubled. Nodoka released him. "Who are you then, and what are you doing in my house?" she demanded. "Auntie, it's me, it's Akane..." "I don't know any boy named Akane, the only Akane I know of is Tendo Akane. Who are you?" asked Nodoka again. This time she added a little edge to her voice. "I'm Tendo Akane," replied Akane exasperatedly. "Akane is a girl, you're a boy," contested Nodoka. "I was cursed to become a boy," replied Akane, "So that I could be with Ranma." "And what of my son? Have you seen him?" "Ranko is your son," replied Akane. "No, Ranma is a man, a man among men. I gave birth to a boy. A beautiful baby boy..." "Ranko is Ranma," insisted Akane. She saw the glint of steel as the katana appeared in Nodoka's hands. Akane did not look at the katana however, he focused on Nodoka's eyes. He tried to read her thoughts, to see what she was thinking or planning. There had to be some way to convince her that Ranma was Ranko. Neither himself nor Ranma could change back, but maybe someone else. Akane carefully walked around the fidgeting woman. The light played against her face. Her cheeks were red and streaked from obvious crying. He wondered just how sane she was at the moment. Cautiously he made his way to the phone. Neither spoke, but the communication was evident in their eyes. Nodoka told Akane that if he made any sudden moves he would be sorry. Akane saw the threat and moved slowly to the phone. Reaching the phone, he kept one eye on his mother-in-law and the other on the phone as he dialled. The call was short and sweet. He only needed a small demonstration. He replaced the receiver and cautiously walked back to the sofas and sat down. "I'm going to prove to you that Ranma is Ranko." "And how are you going to do that young man?" asked Nodoka, katana in hand. "Someone will be coming to deliver some food here, I'll show you when he comes." Akane eyed the cup of tea on the table in front of him. Hopefully it would be cold enough to trigger the change. After five minutes, there was a knock on the door. Nodoka had kept her position and beckoned with her katana for Akane to open the door. Akane held the teacup in one hand and cautiously trekked over to the door an opened it. A face familiar to her opened it. "Nekohanten delivery." "Please come inside and I'll get you the money." A tall young man with very thick glasses and long flowing white robes stepped into the house. Akane fumbled it his pockets looking for a little bit of change. He found a bit of money in one. He pulled it out and handed it to Mousse, making sure to tip the contents of the teacup onto Mousse's hand. As the liquid splashed against Mousse's hand, the transformation occurred. The man's body disappeared and was replaced by a duck swimming in white clothes. The clothes suddenly disappeared as the duck flapped his wings. The duck bowed to Akane and Nodoka and flew out of the house. Akane closed the door behind the duck. Akane turned and saw Nodoka's eyes open in wonderment. She katana fell from her limp hand and Akane barely made it in time to catch her before she collapsed. "It's true...It's all true..." she whispered to no one. Akane knew there would be no way of finding Ranma if she couldn't get through to her mother-in-law. He lifted her effortlessly off the floor and placed her on the sofa. Nodoka stared into his eyes and traced her hand across his face. "It is true..." she whispered again. "I have no son." "No," replied Akane, "But you have a daughter and a son-in-law." Akane wondered where his strength was coming from. He had never exhibited this much control before. Could it be that he was calmer as a guy? He shuddered slightly at the thought. Nodoka pulled herself tighter into a ball. "I am sorry Akane-kun, but I...I have done my child a terrible disservice." The woman was pale and almost to the brink of tears. Akane rushed off to the kitchen and found a slightly warm kettle of tea. He poured some into a cup and handed it to her on his return. She accepted it graciously from her prone position of the sofa... While she drank, his eyes darted to every nook and cranny, trying to determine if Ranma had been here, or how long she had left. With no katana threatening him, he was free to examine the house. His eyes brought him to two pictures, one of a young male Ranma and the other of his wife. Something else caught his attention, it was long and shiny, glistening and gleaming like a demonic tooth. He hadn't given it any regard during the encounter with his mother-in-law since he had focused all his attention on her face. Akane began to turn very pale at the prospects of what he saw. His legs began to fail him; he dropped to his knees. He hadn't reached in time. He had failed her; he had failed his Ranma. He had not been there for her. She was gone. Dried on the edge of the menacing sword stood were the stains of blood Akane knew was Ranma's. Akane struggled to keep himself from bawling out. He had been too late. If only he hadn't shouted at her. If only he hadn't left, she would be right here with him. His love, his life, his all; she was gone and he was gone too. He felt empty, he felt alone...and the fire was lit once again. That woman! That murderer, she had done this! He clenched his fists. He would kill her then he would join his beloved wife. A hand rested against his shoulders and the owner spoke as if sensing his mood. "I hit her, I wounded by own daughter," croaked Nodoka. "I knew it then, I saw the resemblance, but I...I couldn't accept it. I had a son," she rambled, "but he is dead. I have a daughter now. I want my daughter. I want to see my daughter grow up. I want to see my grandchildren grow up." Akane looked up to see the pain in her eyes. "Please, I beg you! Find my daughter. Find her and tell her that her mother loves her." Akane fists loosed as Nodoka let the tears run free. The woman grabbed him in a fierce embrace as she cried. "Akane, you must find her," sobbed Nodoka. "She is my only child and I love her so much." Akane lifted the woman and carried her back to the sofa. She was trembling in his arms. "Don't worry Auntie, I'll find her," he hoped. ************* Akane sat silently on the stairs. He was trying to calm himself, trying to think rationally, trying to think like Ranma. Where would he go if he were in Ranma's position. Akane realized that although an infinite number of answers ranging from friends to family popped up for him, only a handful surfaced for Ranma. One of them was that Ranma would leave, that Ranma would leave Nerima forever and never come back. Akane hated to think about that, but it was a possibility. Another possibility popped into his mind. This was definitely the most plausible and possible of Ranma's options. He raced for the phone. He could see that his energy had also affected Nodoka whose head perked up from the sofa when she heard Akane's hurried footsteps. The phone at the other end rang and rang, but he would not let it go, she had to be there. <Hello, who is this?> asked Ukyou in a gruff voice over the telephone. <Ukyou, do you know where Ranma is?> <That traitor! I don't care where he is! (slam)> Akane slumped Ranma wasn't there and by the sound of things, Ranma had lost her best friend. The depression was starting to get to him and his heart was heavy. He felt helpless. For some reason, his shoulders felt very heavy. Where was she, where was his Ranma? He sagged as he collapsed against the sofa, his eyes intently on the phone. He could hear Auntie Saotome sobbing within the house; a tear escaped his face. He wiped it away quickly, but it was easily replaced. ************** Ranma saw the lights. The soft glittering lights. They came in intervals. She could hear the chatting in the background: the angels. Ranma tried to turn to see the angels, but for some reason, she fell asleep again. ************** After a prolonged period of time thinking and pacing, Akane was getting anxious. He couldn't just stay here and wait. He had to do something. He had to find Ranma. Auntie Nodoka was resting on the couch opposite to him. Stealthily, he made his way to the door and exited the house quietly. The cold air hit him full blast in the face. Where could she be? Where would she go? He took a moment to stare at the offending hand. The hand he had drawn in anger. He wanted to cut it off. He had spent part of the night soaping it, washing it, rubbing it, trying to remove the guilt he felt was soaked in it. This was his fault. Ranma was gone and it was all his fault. He should have listened to her; he should have let her explain. Damn, why did he have to be so hot-tempered? Sure Ryouga had looked at his female form, but that was nothing in comparison to losing her. She was all he ever wanted. From since he had first seen Ranma, Tofu had never looked quite as attractive as before. He loved her smile, her touch, her insensitive remarks. He...he had always liked quarrelling with her. It had been his vent. His vent against all those who were trying to control his life. He couldn't live without that face, without that smile, without those eyes. Those eyes that seemed to pierce his very being and touch the innermost part of his soul. He had been afraid of her for just that reason. She evoked in him things he had never felt before. He had been afraid, afraid of what could happen. So afraid that he had resented and rebuked her for any little thing that looked like it could start something. He passed his hand to clear his wet eyes. He had been a fool. A fool not to embrace it when he had had the chance. He just hoped it was not too late. His travels carried him to the school, to the various shops Ranma had frequented, to the various places he knew Ranma went to get away from it all. Every block he turned, every turn of his head, he expected beyond hope that he would spot her. That he would spot her and take her into his arms and smother her with love. He just had to find her, and he had to find her tonight. Ranma was Ranma and could do practically anything. He just had to find her. Time passed as Akane wandered around Nerima. He had been searching well beyond two hours and had found no trace of her. He had even surreptitiously gone to the Dojo to check for her. The results were the same everywhere he went. He just couldn't find her. He found himself near the park again. Some young people were there near the bridge, chatting away at some nondescript rumour. He walked up onto the bridge and sighed as he watched over the water as it flowed down the river. It was a peaceful and serene picture, the total opposite of his heart. He took another step forward, and his front foot slid. Akane looked down to see what he had stepped in. He held his mouth as he regarded the vomit on the floor. He wiped away the caustic substance from his shoes and began to walk away until something caught his attention. It was nothing really, only a small piece of red cloth not even fit to be called a rag. He pulled it from its captor, tearing it from the nail. His eyes opened wide. It was the same colour and pattern Ranma had been wearing. Ranma had been here. Akane studied the ground. Maybe he could find a clue. He could find nothing. Another scrap of cloth caught his attention near the edge of the bridge, building his hope. He practically flew to it. It was the same material and colour also. "Ranma!" shouted Akane. There was no response. Then Akane noticed the scrapings against the weeds near the edge. Something had slipped down there recently. His curiosity got the better of him and he slipped down the slanted walls. He gasped in horror at what he saw. "No! Ranma!" He ran to her and cradled her in his arms. Her skin was a deathly pale colour. She showed absolutely no sign of consciousness and her limbs lay limply on the floor. He shook her trying to wake her, but something was wrong. She wouldn't get up. Her pulse was very faint. Akane was crying. He was losing Ranma. No damn it, he wouldn't lose her, not again. Dr. Tofu could help; he could bring her back. He held her tightly and began to run, stretching his body to the limit. He wished he could take back all the thing he had told her, he wished he could take back this whole day, he wished that they had never left the shrine. He could feel her slipping away with every passing moment. He would not let her go, not now, not ever. He would follow her if he had to. "Ranma hold on," he cried as he pushed himself to the limit. Akane did not know how many times he prayed to the kami that she would be alright. Every moment that passed had not escaped him. The few minutes that he spent running seemed like ages. He had to get her there and he had to get her there quickly. The large white house loomed in front of him. If it was one thing for his body, he was well conditioned from his chases with Ranma. He did not feel the stress on his muscles after all that running. His mind was focused on one thing, getting Ranma to Dr. Tofu. He barrelled through the doors of the clinic like a madman he had no use for them. Where was Tofu? Tofu had to be here! "Tofu-sensei!" cried Akane. He appeared from behind the stairs, "Akane what is it." His question was answered when he saw Ranma in Akane's hands. "What happened?" questioned Tofu. "I don't know sensei. I found her, I found her like this under the bridge." Tofu critically analysed Ranma's condition. Evidently she had been cut along her right arm. The bandage there was self evident. She had also been creeping along the ground as shown by the dark stains around the kneecaps on her kimono. Her hair was matted with the grime it had collected under the bridge. The cut had already clotted. Tofu knew what had happened, Ranma had had a relapse. He was afraid that this would happen. He dashed to his cabinets, pulling various herbs out and mashing them to a paste. He would have to hurry, Ranma was fighting, but she was fading fast. That poison would have killed a lesser person a long time ago. Akane was hovering over Ranma like a scared chicken. Tofu ordered him to sit down next to Ranma. Finished with his remedy, Tofu pressed some of Ranma's pressure points causing her to swallow the concoction. "Dr. Tofu, will she...will she be alright?" "We will just have to wait and see." Tofu regarded both Ranma and Akane. Ranma was one of the strongest and most energetic persons he knew. He wondered what could get her so stressed out that she would succumb to a relapse of the poison. From the look in Akane eyes, he knew that the boy knew. There was no sense in stressing the point now however. He could see the fear in Akane's eyes: the fear of losing Ranma. He hoped he would never have to go through that fear. Akane and Tofu stayed by Ranma's side as she lay on the bed. Hours had passed and Ranma had relievingly shown some sign of improvement. Her pulse had grown stronger and her colour was coming back. Akane had fallen asleep. His head lay against Ranma's chest as he held her hands in his. Tofu did not want to disturb them. He let them sleep. Ranma was out of the danger zone. An hour later, Akane woke up and berated himself for falling asleep. "Mmm...." murmured Ranma from the bed. "Ranma!" Akane dashed to the girl's side. Tofu silently slipped out of the room, leaving the pair to their privacy. He was still amazed at how quick Ranma could bounce back from near death. It had only been about six hours since he had administered the antidote and already she was stirring. He wondered if her healing powers were genetic, magical or learned. He sighed. He would never be able to figure out how Ranma healed so quickly. If he was more observant, he might have seen a shadow keeping watch over the young woman. Ranma's head was spinning again. The lights were glaring at her as she opened them for the first time. Reflexively she closed them and opened them again. The glare was very great, but someone was blocking the light now. Her eyes began to focus and when she saw whom it was, her mind shouted with joy, but she ousted the intense desire to jump into those hands. Something was stopping her...she tried to say something, but the room turned black again. Akane watched and Ranma moved in and out of consciousness. Occasionally she would mutter a word now and again, but whatever she was saying was muttered garbage to the average listener. To Akane however, it was music to his ears. Ranma was alive. She was alive and she was able to speak. He held her hands tightly as he stroked her cheek. There was no chance of him falling asleep with her this close to him again. Ranma drowsily opened her eyes and tried to shield them from the sunlight that was starting to pour from the open window. Her hands reflexively pulled themselves from wherever they were previously trapped and covered her eyes. The next thing she knew, someone was crushing her. She tried to pry herself from the grip but found herself with hardly any strength. The arms pulled away and Ranma saw who it was. She shirked away from him. Akane could see it in her face. He could see the torment and the pain. He knew what Ranma was going through and knowing he was the cause of all her suffering made him feel lower than dirt. His heart pained to see her looking at him with such apprehension. Her eyes no longer regarded him with the pure selfless love he saw the day before. Instead, he saw the dread and fear that had replaced it. It was tearing him apart to see her like this. "Ranma what's wrong?" asked Akane. "You hate me," she barely replied. "No, no...Ranma I'm sorry, I should have listened, I should have let you explain," he pleaded. He could see that his words were having a positive effect. Ranma was no longer cringing from him. "Hon, I love you. You are my wife and I'm sorry." "But you still hate me..." she replied quietly. "No Ranma don't say that, please don't say that. I love you; I love with all my heart. I'm so sorry...so sorry (he started to cry as he held her in his arms) I almost lost you. I almost lost you because I...I was so angry..." "I love you too Akane," she pronounced weakly. "Just never leave me again." Akane nodded his head and hugged her. Showering her with kisses. He held her tightly and brought her to lie against his chest. He did not want to let her go again. Ranma felt the sleep coming again, but this time it would okay. She belonged again. She had someone to take care of again. She had her husband again, and that was all that mattered to her. As if on cue, Tofu opened the door. Akane was in the middle of giving Ranma a kiss on her lips and gently pulled away. "Well I think it's time you head back home," announced Tofu. "What you mean we can leave?" asked Akane incredulously. "I have full confidence in Ranma's healing abilities, it's you I'm worried about." "Huh?" "Akane if I let Ranma go home, you must promise me something." Akane knew Ranma hated going to the clinic as much as going to hospitals. Besides, he wanted to be there for her, to make up for all the broken promises. He wanted to comfort her as she got well. He wanted to give her all the attention and love that he could possibly give her. "Anything." "You must keep her happy for the next few days. You are the only one who can do this. It is imperative that you keep her in a stress free environment for the next few days." "I will," promised Akane Akane still held Ranma tightly to his body as the girl slept fitfully. Tofu dangled a pair of keys in the air. "Need a lift?" Akane just nodded and held Ranma closer. Ranma snuggled into his chest, searching for the warmth. In her mind she knew she was safe for now. Safe in those strong hands. ************** "Remember Akane, keep her in a stress free environment," warned Tofu. "It will take about a week for all of the poison to be completely purged." Akane thanked him and walked up the stairs of the Saotome House. The car drove off. Akane could see barely any sign of life in the living room. He knocked on the door with his elbow, wondering why it felt so hollow. The door creaked opened to reveal a weary Nodoka. However, when she saw the package in Akane's hands, her face miraculously brightened. What had once been the tired face of an old woman had suddenly been transformed into the face of a young woman faced with the beauty of her young child. She bade Akane to enter the house and led him up the stairs to Ranma's room. Nothing had been touched since she had left. Akane lay his wife down gently onto the large bed. Ranma curled up against the wall. Akane was about to leave when a barrier faced him at the door. "You are the husband," advised Nodoka, "Her welfare is your responsibility." Akane did not need to be told twice. When Nodoka closed the door, he undressed and crawled onto the bed. The morning was still a bit was cold, so he pulled the cover off the floor. He pulled her closer to him and she readily responded to his warmth, cuddling into his warm body. With one swift motion, Akane draped both his arm and the cover it contained over his wife. He smelled her hair well maybe he shouldn't have smelled her hair. He ignored his nasal impulses and hugged her closer to him. They had climbed the first mountain. Ranma was back with him again and that was all that mattered. He closed his eyes and unlike earlier that night, his dreams were infinitely more pleasant. Nodoka prepared. She had her child again. This time she would set things right.There were a couple of things to do first, but her daughter was safely sleeping with her husband. She had seen the bags under Akane's eyes. She doubted that the boy had got more than an hour of sleep for the whole night. Nodoka smiled a contented smile. She still had to apologise to her daughter, but everything would happen in due time. She got out an old book from the cabinet filled with the names of people who owed her favours. She would send her daughter into the married world the right way. She also looked around for the number of the Tendo Household. She would have been elated to tell them everything, but that was not her right. That right belonged solely to the two sleeping upstairs. For the first time in ten years, Nodoka felt complete again. **************** In the early morning, Akane felt a slight shuffle. He opened his eyes just in time to see Ranma trying to sneak out of the room. She had just crawled over him, and her hand lay near the bed. He held her hand. "Just where are you going?" he asked "To take a bath," Ranma replied with a tad bit of annoyance. She felt really filthy and smelt rather filthy as well. That's what you get for sleeping next to a river. She longed to feel clean again. She had no idea what day it was or how long she had been out. "You're not supposed to be up," warned Akane. Tofu had said to keep her off her feet. "Hey I'm not an invalid you know!" retorted Ranma. Akane just smiled and in one quick movement he jumped off the bed and scooped her up in his arms. "Hey, I told you I don't need your help," protested Ranma. Ranma saw that smile again. Akane was planning something. She knew he was planning something. She should be angry with him, but she felt too sore and too tired to start any kind of argument. She really wasn't feeling up to any kind of argument right now. "I thought that I could give you a sponge bath," replied Akane with a hungry look in his eye. "A sponge bath?" "Yes, I can wash here..." He caressed her face with his lips. She shouldn't be letting him get away with this. "Mmm..." "Here..." He caressed her breasts with his free hand. "Ahhh...." "Or here..." He went a bit lower. "Oh my!" ******************* Ranma lazily lay against her husband in the warm water. His hands were gently massaging the shampoo into her hair much to her pleasure. Akane could read the smile on Ranma's face without facing her. He knew her that well. He had already passed his hands longingly across every inch of her body as he gave her the most thorough of baths. He lightly rinsed her hair off with some warm water from the tap. She bent her head onto his shoulder and he could see her face. Her eyes were closed and she was enjoying the moment. He hated to have to disturb her when she was in this mood, but something had been gnawing against his conscience for the whole time since they had been awake. "Ranma." "Hmm..." "I want to tell you something." "Umm..." "I sorry about the other night and I promise that I will always listen to you before I say anything else." Ranma eyes were awake and alive now. She turned to face him. Her eyes glittered and Akane knew she was thinking about something. Ranma's strength had slowly returned to her. She shoved Akane to the edge of the furo, and slapped him lightly on the cheek. The slap had so little punch that Akane's skin refused to even turn red. Ranma looked at Akane evenly. "Akane, if you ever, ever leave me like that or threaten me again, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth. I will hunt you down and sell you to Asuza as her private model or brand you Ranma's brother and sell you to Kodachi. I am sure she is willing to entertain the notion of marrying Ranma's brother, or I can send you on a very long training trip with our fathers as your company. I think you will love training under my father. Am I making myself clear!" Akane gulped. Being married to Kodachi was not a very appealing prospect. "Hello! Am I making myself clear?" "Yes..." stuttered Akane. "Good," replied Ranma, "Now get to work and start massaging my back." "Yes dear," replied Akane weakly. Was Akane dreaming or did he just fall into the role of Ranma's slave for the next few days? *************** Nodoka sat patiently downstairs with breakfast. Last night she had had a long talk with her son-in-law. She was surprised that they were married. Akane did not tell her exactly why they got married, he only told her that he loved Ranma very much and he would take very good care of her daughter. Of that, Nodoka had no doubts. She had given Akane a sedative after he had eaten supper. She spied them as they crept towards the bathroom that morning and hastened to prepare breakfast. She knew what an appetite her daughter had and having not eaten for a day, she knew her daughter would be famished. She had never seen two people take that long to take a bath. It had been what, almost two hours! Well, they were newlyweds. She only hoped Akane wouldn't be doing that with Ranma in her present condition. The door slid open and Akane and Ranma descended the stairs with a pair of bathrobes on. Genma's old bathrobe seemed to suit Akane just fine. Akane tried to help his wife down, but she refused his aid, preferring to use the railing for her guidance. She just had to work out the kinks in her legs, before they could work properly. They were still a bit stiff. However, she did accept his help when he helped her to sit down for breakfast. Akane sat very close to Ranma and squeezed her hands under the table. He still had no real idea how she felt. She had been totally unemotional whole morning since he had first started to give her a bath. She had accepted his affections for the most part, but had not given him any. If Ranma was laying the guilt trip on him, she was laying it on very heavy. Akane still felt ashamed and remorseful for what he had done. Breakfast was laid out in front of them. Ranma wondered why her mother had placed a lit candle at the centre to the table. However, she had no time to think about that when she recognised the layout and the seating arrangements... Her mother had given her a job to do. Ranma nervously served Akane then her mother, then herself. She waited for Akane and her mother to begin before she started eating, and did she eat. Akane was surprised at the table manners Ranma was showing, but though she used the chopsticks at a normal pace, therein the similarities stopped. Whereas a normal person would eat and chew, it seemed Ranma only ate and swallowed. The chopsticks moved at a constant, pace. He was wondering how Ranma had not choked as yet. When she was finally finished, there was not a scrap of food on the table. Nodoka was very proud of her daughter. She had managed to do everything correctly, proving herself a worthy hostess. Now for the hard part. Nodoka removed the dishes and sat back down to face the pair. Ranma's hands were trembling and Akane held them for reassurance. Ranma however would not give him the satisfaction of a smile or glance in his direction. Nodoka placed the family sword on the table along with a perfumed box. The box was hand crafted from a sweet smelling hard wood. The intricate designs painted on it depicted a warm spring morning. The shapes of budding trees andfragrant flowers cascaded around the wooden frame and on the cover, the outline of two people lying against the flowers was clearly defined. It was truly a work of art. Nodoka lifted the lid, and pulled out an old piece of parchment. It's once white base was now a creamy yellow colour. Ranma knew what it was. Nodoka lay it on the table. "When I made this agreement, my husband promised that he would make my son a man among men. My son died on that training voyage. I have a daughter now, a beautiful young woman who has captured the heart of a handsome young man. I will not let my husband's failings affect her." Nodoka picked up the parchment in her hand, then held it to the flame. The paper turned to ashes in only seconds. Both Ranma and Nodoka's faces were streaked with tears. "Mom?" "My daughter!" Nodoka rushed across the table and hugged her daughter dearly. "Daughter, I am sorry. I should have listened. I should have known." "There's no way you could have known," replied Ranma through her tears. Nodoka kissed her child on the forehead. "I love you Ranma." "I love you too mom." The two embraced as Akane watched. His eyes were also teary. This brought back memories of his own mother before she had passed away. He had never totally dealt with her memories, but seeing this, it was helping. Nodoka disengaged herself from her daughter. "Now son, I hope I hope you take care of my daughter, and in case you don't..." Akane was stunned. Nodoka had called him her son. He sat there trying to absorb those words. Ranma on the other hand was watching his mother retrieve the katana. "Daughter, this katana has been passed from one generation to the next, the time has come when I must insist that you remove it from my hands. It is yours my daughter, the family honour lies in your hands." Nodoka offered Ranma the katana, and Ranma gently took it from her. They bowed to each other, then they embraced each other again. Akane helped his wife up off the floor. Ranma replaced the katana on the mantle of the Saotome family hearth. Akane picked her up to her annoyance and gently lay her down on the sofa. He lay next to her. Ranma was trying to keep a passive face around Akane. She was trying really hard to make him sweat, but she was having a hard time and her resolve was fading. She knew he really was sorry about what he had done and she knew he would never do it again. He better had not otherwise the pain he would feel would be nothing like what she went through. Finally breaking, she grabbed an unsuspecting Akane and kissed him, forcing him into a very long kiss; so long that he was starting to turn blue. Ranma decided to give him a break. When she disengaged her lips from his, Akane was panting and trying to catch his breath. Ranma snaked her arms around him and rest her head against his shoulder. "Akane, I forgive you. But if you ever do anything like that to me again. I will carry out those threats." Akane kissed her lightly on the side of her head. His Ranma had forgiven him and she was back. There was no chance he would ever leave her again. He was hers forever. The two sat comfortably at the television watching each other more than the various programs on the channels, basking in each other's presence. Nodoka hated to interrupt them. They were just perfect there. She wished she had a camera somewhere. They looked just like Genma and she had when they got married. She cleared her throat, grabbing their attention. "I called Kasumi and told her that you spent the night here." Akane slapped his head. Stupid, he had forgotten all about Kasumi. Ranma giggled. "I hope you are both packed and ready," commented Nodoka. "What?" replied a confused Ranma and Akane. "Oh Dr. Tofu gave me instructions yesterday that Ranma should be kept stress free, that means she can't go to school for a few days...it also means that her husband can't go to school since it is his duty to keep her safe..." Ranma wanted to know why her mother was starting to grin from ear to ear. "...therefore I sending you to a mountain lodge for a vacation." "Vacation?" they replied, honeymoon was what the two newlyweds thought. "Well of course," replied Nodoka as a matter of factly, "And by the way I do want grandchildren and lots of them. Remember, it is the husband's job to make sure the wife is always content," replied a sly Nodoka. Both the newlyweds' faces were bright red. She laughed. Then Ranma and Akane looked at each other the same thoughts passed through their minds. A honeymoon, no one except the two of them and a warm cosy bed. Akane bolted up, dragging his still recovering wife up the stairs. Nodoka watched them go, she could see her house filled with allthose grandchildren. Ranma had perfect childbearing hips of course; she got them from her mother. In seconds the two of them were packed, Ranma showing Akane the benefits of the Anything Goes Unlimited Training Trip Packing Techniques, which meant: you're going to be with me for most of the day, and we won't be wearing any clothes. The two arrived downstairs with Ranma in Akane's hands much to her annoyance but Akane's insistence. There was only a backpack in Ranma's hand. The taxi had arrived and they were off. Nodoka saw them off and waited for the car to turn the corner. For the first time in a very long time, she felt that everything was starting to fall into place. She had her child back: her precious Ranma. Now for Genma, then she realised that it was no longer her job anymore. That job belonged to her daughter and it was up to her daughter to exact punishment. She had waited ten years for her child; she could wait another fortnight for her husband. She rang the Tendo household, informing them that she would be carrying Ranko and Akane on a bridal training trip. In the background, she heard a splash, and then she thought she heard someone scratching something with sandpaper.