Ranma 1/2 doesn't belong to me - I'm just borrowing.
Turning Point
"Oh, the horror of it all." gasped Happosai looking at 1950 Beijing..
Everywhere he looked was the same dreadful scene. Drab, dreary, dull. He had heard that the Communists had taken over the country and thought it would fun to visit one of his favorite hunting grounds. His last visit, 20 years ago, had been his most fulfilling, literally. He had picked up so much female chi that his reserves had been topped up. He would be able to live off that for at least another 40 years.He looked around and had trouble even figuring what sex someone was.
"Where have all the lovelies gone?" whispered Happosai. "Everyone looks the same."
Everyone was wearing a horrible quilted jacket and pants. The outfit was so bulky that it hid any resemblance of a feminine figure. He couldn't tell by hairstyle because that was the same too. He had to get right in someone's face to determine a person's sex. After trying that a few times, he had to escape by roof-hopping to lose the mob. Despondent, he decided to leave China and not return until the Communists left. He would follow either the Yongding or Chaobai rivers on their southerly journey. He might be able to take passage on a boat and save energy. One day's journey down the river, he was hailed from a boat.
"Grandfather!"
Happosai looked out over the river. A young man waved from the stern of large boat. Happosai cupped a hand behind an ear to hear over the gurgle of the slow moving water.
"Do you need a ride downriver?" asked the man.
"Yes. How far are you going?" asked Happosai.
"All the way to the coast." the man said.
"Good. How do I get aboard?" Happosai asked.
"There is bend in the river not far from here. I will put into shore and wait for you." he said.
Happosai quickly started downriver. He soon reached the bend and saw that the boat was up against the bank. The bank was level with rail of the boat so all he had to do was climb over the rail.
"Thank you. I didn't even get a drop of water on me getting aboard." said Happosai.
The boat was pushed from shore by several people using poles. Drifting along on the current, Happosai was surprised to see an infant on board. Looking around, he saw that the crew was composed of men and women. They had a similar appearance, so Happosai guessed this was a family operation. When he asked the man at the stern he was told that was the case.
"This is a family operation, yes. The older members are waiting for us at the coast. Because of the takeover, we are moving there. This is the last load we are taking out Beijing." the man said.
"What are you carrying?" asked Happosai.
"Liquor, specifically beer, wine and some sake." the man said.
Happosai carefully avoided making any expression or move that would have exposed his interest in the cargo. Things were looking up. Young women and liquor. The man at the stern looked at the sun low in the sky and announced he was putting in to shore for the evening. Everyone had gone onshore to stretch their legs and make the evening meal. Everyone, but Happosai. He had waited until he was alone to examine the cargo.
"Decisions, decisions." mumbled Happosai.
He decided on the sake. There were so many bottles that a few wouldn't be missed. Maybe he should check the quality first. Opening a bottle, he quickly guzzled it down. Now, he was missing a bottle. Taking another one, he decided to test again. After several bottles, he went ashore to eat. While eating, he overheard the women agree to bathe in the river after it was fully dark.
"Sweet-oh! I'll get to watch them bathing and steal their panties and bras." he thought.
Later that night, Happosai stealthily followed the woman ashore. Finding a good spot to hide and watch, he sat back on his heels. He listened for the sounds of bathing. After waiting what felt like forever, he started hearing splashes and giggling. He started to shift forward to look but wasn't able to move. He was feeling a little tired and gradually passed out.
"Tie those ropes tight!
"Well, we finally caught the old pervert."
"Yes. Now for him to be punished."
"You mean, now we try him."
"Take too long. Lets just skip to the punishment."
Happosai heard those comments as he started to come out of his stupor. He started to shake his head to clear it.
"He's coming out of it already. Drug him again?"
"Take too long. This will be quicker."
Happosai felt a tremendous blow on the back of his head and slipped into darkness again.
"Ah, the prisoner awakes. Now, we can pronounce sentence on him."
Happosai heard the raspy voice and wryly allowed there was a point to the cheerful undertone. He looked around and recognized the chamber he was in. The Elders Council chamber at the Amazon village. All thirteen Elders were in attendance. Well, he was a big thorn in their side and he guessed everyone wanted to put their spoon in the soup. He ruefully decided, in hindsight, that maybe visiting Beijing had not been a good idea.
"Happosai. You were tried, in absentia, for crimes against women and theft of sacred items." Raspy Voice said.
Happosai started to say something but found he could not talk. There was low laughter in the chamber at his attempt.
"There is no need for you to talk. The trial had already happened. We just need to pronounce your sentence." explained Raspy Voice.
"We decided that death was too easy on you. You have caused suffering for years so you should suffer for years." a second voice said.
"For crimes against women and the disrespect you show towards them. It has been decided that you will permanently become what you despise." a cold hard voice said.
Happosai kept his expression still but inside he was rolling on the floor laughing. Even in a different form, he can still absorb female chi.
"They think making me a woman is punishment!" he thought incredulously. "Oh, the opportunities this will..."
"STOP!" said a fiery voice.
"Kuh Lon! What is the meaning of that outburst?" asked Raspy Voice.
"I need to discuss an important matter with the Council first." stated Kuh Lon.
"Now?" Raspy Voice asked heatedly.
"Yes, Lu Fah. The prisoner need not listen to this matter so please have him removed from the chamber." said Kuh Lon.
Happosai was escorted out of the chamber. He was not liking the sound of this. They were probably going to change the form but he could collect chi in any form.
"Very well, Kuh Lon, no one but Elders are present. Proceed." said Lu Fah.
"We very nearly put the fox in the hen house." Kuh Lon said grimly.
"Explain." said the cold hard voice.
"How does Happosai get energy, Sis Ors?" asked Kuh Lon.
"You know as well as all of us...Crap, you're right." Sis Ors said disgustedly.
"Any form he is given will still allow him to gather female chi. What we need is a curse that will prevent him from wanting to gather it." said Kuh Lon.
"None of the curses will do that. Darn, guess we'll just have to kill him." said Lu Fah.
"Two curses out of the hundreds are our best choices. Priest or Virtuous Man." Kuh Lon said.
"Yes." said Lu Fah thoughtfully. "He will have his own form but be unable to do wrong."
After all Elders had a chance to think it over there were some that wanted him changed to some hideous form if the woman curse couldn't be used. They thought Happosai would keep away from people in shame.
"Elders, think! This is Happosai the pervert. He has no shame!" shouted Kuh Lon.
"Kuh Lon is right. We decided not to kill him because we wanted to punish him."said Sis Ors.
"Agreed. We do want to punish him and in a way this will still be what he despises most." cackled Lu Fah.
Happosai was returned to the chamber and told he would shortly be cursed and locked into the curse.. He was also told that he was never to approach the village or Jusenkyo again or be executed.
"Happosai, as we said this curse will turn you into what you despise most." said Lu Fah.
He felt a splash of water and a tingle ran over him as the curse took hold.
"Yes! The old fools did it." chortled Happosai.
He felt his chest to see what size rack he had. Surprised, he looked down. He turned and looked at the Chief Elder with quizzical look.
"No, no mistake, Happosai. We said you'd be changed into what you despise most." said Lu Fah.
A dawning look of shock appeared on Happosai's face. He started to get dizzy and as he passed out he faintly heard Lu Fah say.
"A good and honest man."