Once again, I do not own any of the rights to Ranma 1/2. This fan-fiction is solely for my entertainment, and for all those who enjoy reading it.

Chapter 2

It had been a week since Nodoka spoke to Akane and came up with the plan, and it was the day that Ranma finally completed the cram school and graduated. Nodoka had spent most of the week with Akane teaching her the verious techniques she would need for their 'vacation' and she seemed to take to them quite well. It may have had to do with all the kidnappings that she had to endure over the years, but she seemed eager to try them out. She wasn't exactly keen on it before, but as she practiced, she grew better, and more enthusiastic.

Nodoka told Ranma to meet with her after graduation to talk with her, and now was waiting with the first bar of soap and potion ready. In truth, Nodoka didn't like the idea of using it, but she knew that Ranma was too powerful for pressure points to work anymore, and the damage her husband did to his perceptions was going to ruin any chance for a peaceful life he would get. Genma was a brilliant martial artist, but an absolute disaster in understanding emotions.

Her thoughts were broken when she heard her 'daughter' call out that 'she' was home. In a way, Nodoka was thankful that the ladle lady had such impeccable timing and accuracy. She did marvel at it, and shared the question her current daughter had voiced "How does that old bat manage to hit me every time?" Nodoka managed to hold in a giggle, as she wondered how after all these years, the old lady still didn't notice Ranma. How Ranma didn't notice her until it was too late, she blamed her husband for.

Steeling her resolve, Nodoka spoke to Ranma-chan in a soft voice "Ranma, there is something we need to discuss." Ranma for the most part was terrified, wondering if it had to do with the Seppuku contract. Nodoka caught on and spoke gently again "No Ranma, it isn't about the contract. You have more than proven yourself in that regard." Nodoka smiled as Ranma-chan exhaled in relief, but she spoke again "It is in the opposite regard that I am worried about. Ranma-chan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"You certainly have proven your courage, more times than ANYONE should have to, and you certainly are a better man than your father, though that isn't saying much." Ranma-chan chuckled at that statement, having accepted that fact long ago. Nodoka wen on "No, I am worried about how badly my husbands training has affected you here..." She pointed to Ranma-chan's head "and here" then to her heart. Ranma was shifting nervously and was about to say something when Nodoka spoke up again "I know you feel you can only have fun when you are a girl, and no don't deny it." Ranma-chan had opened her mouth and was about to deny her mothers words, but was quickly cut off. "Actions speak louder than words, and your actions have shown that you do indeed have more fun in that form, and seem to deal with your emotions better."

Nodoka showed Ranma-chan the bar of soap. "Waterproof soap, and I think you know why." Despite what most thought of him, Ranma-chan was not stupid. She knew what her mother was suggesting, but she was still in denial "Mom come on, I'm a man not a weak gi..." A stern glare cut her off. "Ranma, listen closely. You need to come to terms with your female body. I know you don't like the idea of being stuck as a female, but it is just for three months. Also, you need to break free of your father's ideals of what a 'man amongst men' is, because his viewpoints are moronic at best."

Ranma-chan stared down at her feet in shame after her mothers scolding, she was right. Genma's views of women, of manliness, of pretty much everything have been screwy from the start. The only reason Ranma put up with him was because he didn't have any other constant, anyone else in his life. Nodoka spoke again, this time holding a potion vial. "Another problem is your over-abundance of control. I admit that some control is fine, even necessary, but you have far too much. You constantly have to be on top of the situation, otherwise you think others will take advantage of you. That may have been true, but you took it to extremes that have just become unhealthy."

Nodoka then spoke of the potions effects and the trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, shocking Ranma-chan with the idea of being weak and a girl. "Ranma, you always complained about being a weak girl, and I know you don't like the idea, but this will also allow you to relax, as you won't need to keep your power in check. I know about your battle with Saffron, and what Saffron really was as well. I know you are afraid of your own power going out of control." Ranma looked downcast as Nodoka spoke on "I understand why you did it too, even if you deny it. You love Akane, that much is true, but you constantly feel the need to protect her, and she is not weak anymore. She is stronger than everyone around here with the exclusion of you, that Hibiki boy and Happosai. No one else cam match her." Ranma-chan knew her mother was right, but the idea that she would be in Akane's care, while being a weak girl was scary.

Nodoka looked at her currently daughter, and smiled. "You don't need to worry. I tought Akane what she needed to know. From cooking to... other things you both will need." Nodoka relaxed, set down the vial, and hugged her daughter. "I know you are scared at the idea of not being in control, but this will help you both build trust in each other." Nodoka released her daughter and continued. "In the end you will be helping each other." Ranma-chan looked at the bottle, as her mother handed her the bar of soap. Nodoka had given Akane two additional bottles, for Ranma-chan to choose after the first, then second month, if she wanted to continue. Ranma-chan went in and washed in cold water, lathering in the waterproof soap, locking her in female form till the soap wore off. Nodoka smiled, and helped her daughter pack her bags, before she had Ranma-chan drink the potion. "Remember daughter, you can trust her. You must."