DISCLAIMER: "Ranma 1/2" and its associated characters and settings are the creation of Rumiko Takahashi and the property of Viz Media. I use them here strictly as an expression of my love for the series, and I do not do so with any expectation of profit.

"Adventures in Womanhood"
by Ranchan2k3

"Japanese dialogue"
"{Chinese dialogue}"

Chapter 2
Ranma stood before the gates of Joketsuzoku village, clutching in her hand a piece of paper the guide had given her with directions to reach the village. He had warned her that they were a matriarchal society with a wary - some would say paranoid - view of outsiders, so she would need to be on her best behavior if she wanted them to listen to her, or even if she just wanted to walk out of the village with her life. Steeling herself, she approaches, noting the lack of any guards, then walks on in.

After passing the first few thatched roof huts, the reason for the absence of any guards becomes apparent. On a log hanging horizontally between two poles, two fighters were having a fight, with a crowd around them shouting encouragement and insults in their native Mandarin. 'Must be some kinda tourament,' she muses, stepping over to find a seat where she can watch the proceedings. One of the two fighters was a large, ugly, mannish woman wielding a large club. Her looks truthfully made Ranma grimace. The woman's opponent, however, was much more attractive, a young woman about Ranma's own age with long purple hair, wielding a pair of bonbori.

In an instant, the fight was on. And just as quickly, it was over, the purple-haired girl knocking her large opponent off the log with one swift bonbori strike. 'She's not bad,' Ranma thinks to herself. 'Got some holes in her guard, but she'd still make a pretty good sparring partner.'

Her thoughts are interrupted by an aged woman's voice crackling behind her. "Quite the spectacle, don't you think?"

Letting out an involuntary "eep!" of surprise, Ranma spins around, catching sight of a shrunken old woman with a mane of long white hair and large, round eyes, balanced easily on a gnarled wooden cane that even Ranma's rudimentary senses could tell was supercharged with ki. The old woman cackles. "Do forgive me, I simply couldn't resist. Now, then, child, what brings you to our village? As you can no doubt imagine, we don't often receive visits from outsiders."

Ranma takes a minute to calm herself, then answers. "Um...the guide told me you guys could help me. I, um...was just...changed. At Jusenkyo."

The ancient woman's demeanor abruptly turns serious. "I see. In that case, come along with me. I am the Elder Kuh Lon. If the pronunciation is difficult for you, I will answer to 'Cologne'. You will present your request before the full Council of Elders." The old woman turns, then starts pogoing on her cane towards a large hut nearby. Rising from her seat, Ranma quickly follows, fighting down her nervousness.

Some time later, Ranma finds herself standing before an assembly of six women, each roughly as old as Cologne was. The Elders were seated at a long table, at least half of them gazing at her with no small measure of contempt. 'Well, the guide did warn me about how they think of outsiders,' she thinks to herself.

Cologne speaks up. "Present your case before the Council, child. We shall hear what you have to say before passing judgment."

Ranma nods, then takes a deep breath and begins. "My name is Ranma Saotome. I've trained my entire life in martial arts, and for the past decade, I've been on a training journey with my Pop. That training journey took us to Jusenkyo. There, my Pop got turned into a panda...and I got turned into the form you see now." She sighs. "I was told that there's no way for me to return to normal, but that you guys could help me get used to my new form. If...If you could see your way to overlooking the fact that I don't come from here and help me relearn how to be a warrior, I would forever be in your debt."

One of the other Elders speaks up, a doubtful tone in her voice. "You claim to be a warrior? Ridiculous! You are - or were - a mere male. And an outsider at that."

"As I recall, Qiu Tiep, your own mother was an outsider, and she was one of the finest warriors we've yet seen in this village's history," reminds Cologne.

"That is entirely beside the point!"

"On the contrary, I'd say it's exactly the point," counters another Elder.

"Fine, if you trust this outsider's words so much, Kuh Lon, then put your money where your mouth is," snaps Qiu Tiep. "We shall have this boy prove himselfby facing your own great grand-daughter, Xian Pu, in a match. If Ranma wins, I will rescind my objections. If not, the fool goes elsewhere. Agreed?"

Cologne looks...amused? "Agreed. So it is stated, so it shall be." She concludes the meeting by giving the table a good, solid rap on the table with her cane. The Elders then file out of the hut, all except Cologne, who approaches a befuddled Ranma.

"Um...are you sure about this? Nothin' bad's gonna happen to me if I beat her, will it?" Ranma looks at the old woman, worry evident on her face.

Cologne simply smiles. "Do not worry, child. I will ensure you face neither the Kiss of Death nor the Kiss of Marriage in the event of your victory. Xian Pu will need some time to rest before she can face you; take this time to enjoy a meal. You hide it well, but I can tell you have not been nourished properly in more than a week."

Ranma's cheeks redden. "Um...th-thanks. I'll, um...I'll do that."

An hour later, the villagers were once again gathered around the challenge log, the Elders included. This time, standing across from one another on opposite ends of the log were Xian Pu and Ranma. Xian Pu was in a stance, her bonbori at the ready, while Ranma simply stood with her arms folded neatly behind her back.

Qiu Tiep, standing next to Cologne, scowls at this. "{Look at this. The stupid child's stance is completely wide open. How can you entertain even the slightest notion that this outsider is a warrior?}"

Cologne chuckles, her eyes twinkling in amusement. "{In that, I believe you are in agreement with my great grand-daughter. Just watch, Qiu Tiep. I expect you'll be surprised.}"

Up on the log, Xian Pu studies her opponent with distaste. '{No guard, hands behind her back, not even a weapon},' she thinks to herself. '{Feh! This won't take long. One quick strike should overwhelm her.}'

Cologne raises her staff. "Fighters ready! BEGIN!" She brings her staff down into the dirt, then the fight is begun. Xian Pu lunges forward, intending to get rid of the outsider with one swift bonbori strike. Unfortunately, she failed to see the kick come up from below. Ranma's foot catches her in the chin, catapulting her into the air and sending her twin bonbori flying. Moments later, Xian Pu impacts the solid ground with a thud. The crowd was utterly silent, stunned at how easily their village champion had been beaten. Among the stunned was Elder Qiu Tiep, who was staring wide-eyed at the scene before her. Watching this, Cologne cackles, then approaches Ranma, addressing the rest of the village. "{Let it be known to all that the outsider Ranma Saotome has proven her worth as a warrior! Let it also be known that she is notto be subjected to either the Kiss of Death or the Kiss of Marriage, as per what was agreed upon earlier! This young warrior, changed into her current form by the cursed waters of Jusenkyo, has come to us seeking aid in learning how to be a proper warrior again, and by defeating my great grand-daughter in fair and honorable combat, has earned the right to do so! Any who object are in violation of the will of the Council!"}" She strikes the ground with her cane, making it official. The villagers, still stunned, simply turn away and go about their business.

A flabbergasted Ranma hops down off the log, looking at Cologne. "Um...what did you just tell them, Granny?"

"Simply that you are welcome here in the village now to begin your training," answers Cologne. "Now, come. You will be given a bath and clean clothes at the home of myself and my great grand-daughter. Sleep well tonight, for your training begins in earnest tomorrow."

End Chapter 2.

Author's Notes: And that's it for Chapter 2. As before, C&C is welcome, flaming is not. In regards to the Elder Qiu Tiep, I'll say only that this isn't the last we'll be seeing of her. Whether her future appearance bodes good or ill, however, I'll leave up in the air.