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

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

The first book in The Heart of Ranma Trilogy

"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!

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

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.

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.

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

 Archive of the Heart of Ranma Scrolls

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