Comfort in Vulnterability- a Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
I do not own Ranma 1/2. This was written for my enjoyment s
It was no stretch of the imagination that Ranma had troubles opening up to people, and not even Ranma could deny it. All those years on the road had left him unable to express any emotions that he really wanted to, be they trust, love or general kindness. No he was a brash loudmouth with the apparent ego the size of rhode island, even if it was just for show. Of course the only one he could blame for this was, his father.
Genma always called women weak and worthless, always taught him to be 'manly' while obviously being oblivious to what made a decent human being in the first place, and always insisting that anything beyond martial arts, including school and love, were for the weak. It came as no surprise to find out that his father was an uneducated moron who was actually afraid of his own mother, or maybe it was that his mother always had a katana. He was never really quite sure if his mother vieued his father as a husband these days, or as a soon to be panda skin rug.
His mother was not oblivious to his plight as well, and neither was Akane, hence the reason for their meeting that day. Both were sipping rather strong tea that evening, discussing both his and Akane's flaws, and how to deal with them. Nodoka, just receiving the full recount of the battle at Jusendo, more than two years after the fight, shook her head at just how much in denial her own son was, but she felt Akane was hiding something as well. "You mean that my son killed a priest named Saffron, to save you from a god?" That wasn't what she had heard, just what she had thought Akane meant. She was dumbfounded again when she got her answer, "No, he killed a god, Saffron, to save me."
Nodoka was still trying to wrap her head around it. She knew her husband said he would raise Ranma into one of the most powerful martial artists of his generation, but not to the point where he would be able to commit deicide. She sipped her tea and asked a different question, "and what do you think of my son, dispite his denials he obviously loves you." Akane blushed a bit, obviously not how to express herself. "I love him, but I'm just not sure how to express it." She sipped her tea and continued on.
"During my junior year, I had to fight waves of boys every day due to that idiot, Tatewaki Kuno. Since then I havn't been able to express properly." Nodoka raised an eyebrow and asked Akane " Why, that was back in high school, you've graduated already, and Ranma is almost finished cram school to make up his grades." Nodoka had insisted that Ranma at least have a proper education, and refused to let him flunk out. It was rather easy to convince him after she shut her husband up by pointing the tip of her katana at his neck.
Akane was hesitant to respond, but the drumming of Nodoka's fingers were enough to get her to tell the older woman the details. "It started with that, but with all the men that have been trying to get me to marry them, all the kidnapping and basically always being on the damsel in distress, I find that I can't seem to open up to men in general. That is true with Dr. Tofu too, I just can't seem to trust him." She sipped her tea again, this time to comfort herself, and to brace herself for Nodoka's reaction. The older woman seemed to be deep in thought, as her eyes were closed and composure calm.
Nodoka opened her eyes for a bit, and calmly spoke another question "and what do you think of my daughter?" The question floored Akane in shock, knowing what Nodoka meant, and he voice barely let out a single word "What?" being all she could muster. Nodoka sighed, half expecting that response, and pulled out a book Cologne left her before she took Shampoo back to China. She opened up the page to Nyannichuan, and start speaking. "I looked over the spring that my son fell into, and discovered that, like Nannichuan is for transformed men, people who are affected by this spring cannot lose their curses. You would have to deal with Ranma turning female all the time due to it's permanence. I also think this might be a blessing in disguise, as my son has no way to deal with his own emotions, nor can he help you deal with yours."
Akane still was nervous, but she still asked the question she wanted to ask, "What did you mean when yous asked how I felt about your daughter, did you mean..." She couldn't exactly finish her question, but she didn't need to. "Yes Akane, I meant how do you feel about Ranma-chan, my sons female self." Akane turned as red as her namesake, shocked and more than embarrassed at the question. "I... I love Ranma, even when he is a girl, but it seems easier to talk to him like that. The only problem is that 'she' seems even more guarded, like she is afraid to lose control." Akane sipped her tea again, and watched as Nodoka's lips formed a gentle smile.
"Akane, I think I know a way to help both of you." Nodoka looked at the light shining in the young girls eyes, and spoke again. "Ranma may not like the idea, but it should give you both a needed vacation, and help you deal with your feeling. I have a cottage in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, and I think you both could use it some time alone." A mischievous smile crossed her lips, and she went into her bedroom to retrieve a 'special book' for Akane, which promptly made her eyes go wide in shock. "No way! There is no way I..." Nodoka cut her off with another smile. "No Akane, these are meant for Ranma-chan." Akane was shocked, but Nodoka decided to explain before the young adult passed out in front of her.
"Ranma need to feel safe, and vulnerability will help that. I know that this is a shock to you, It was for me too when my mother taught me about it." Nodoka spoke calmly and continued. "It is true that my family has always practiced the katana, but we were always tought how to lower our guards for those we love. Sometimes, we needed close friends to help, but this case is... special." Nodoka showed Akane a potion, and swallowed nervously. "This potion makes someone unable to use special abilities, or to use strength outside what an ordinary person their size and build should be able to use. It was developed for... less that proper purposes, but my family found of it's healing potential too, as it wears off in a month, allowing anyone with great power and abilities who received serious injuries to heal as they could not aggravate their wounds. This time it will be used to help someone mentally."
Nodoka watched as Akane's eyes shifted between her, the book and the potion. It was obvious that the girl was conflicted, and more than a bit shocked. Nodoka spoke once again in an attempt to calm the young woman. "I know this is strange Akane, but I honestly cannot see another way. Which brings in the last of the equation" Nodoka pulled out the last item, a bar of waterproof soap. "Yes Akane, I am serious, and I won't judge you no matter what you decide." Nodoka then sat down, and waited for Akane's reply.
Akane was more that a little shocked, but she was intrigued as well. All her life, others had complete control over her. Between her sisters, her father, the countless suitors and kidnappers, not to mention Ranma, she was basically being given the chance to control the one she cared about the most. The though was both wonderous and terrifying, and she knew they would be alone so no one would interfere. It would also do wonders for the lack of respect Ranma gave her, ultimately solving the last issue.
It seemed perfect, but the she realized something important. Somewhat hesitantly, Akane asked Nodoka "I like the idea, but how do you tie these knots?"