Later…

Kimiko had left the duo some time ago now and Nodoka was still debating on whether she could take the newly named Ranko to a public place or if it was too risky, she herself had seen no hint of malice, ill intent or any kind of violent abuse yet from what she heard appearances were definitely deceiving and Ranko had already put several of her co-workers in the hospital.

Currently they were both in the living room, Nodoka sat in a green comfy chair as Ranko, still wearing her nightie sat next to the roaring fire, staring into it, lost in her own thoughts.

'Ranko…Ranko…that's who I am now, no longer do I have to bear the name of Ranma Saotome…Ranko a girl's name…this body has brought me only pain in the past…but now…it's given me freedom' these thoughts swirled around Ranko's mind, that is until Nodoka cleared her throat, attracting her attention.

"Ranko…if I took you into town…erm…do you feel that you are ready to be around a lot of people?" Nodoka asked, Ranko seemed to pale at the idea, she was rarely around other people thanks to one Genma Saotome and those he did meet usually used her for her body in whatever way they pleased and so understandably the idea of been around a large number of people terrified her. To Nodoka Ranko's reaction was more than easy to read, she let out a tired sigh.

"Very well, we will take baby steps Ranko" Nodoka sighed, it was at this point she was struck with inspiration, she headed to her laptop and began pulling up shopping web sites, her gaze momentarily moved to Ranko.

"Ranko could you pass me those clothes?" Nodoka asked, nodding towards the clothes she had been found in, currently folded near the fire, Ranko nodded, she reached over and grabbed the pile and took it over to Nodoka who proceeded to check there sizes.

"Erm…what are you doing?" Ranko asked, her whole body tensing on reflex, expecting to be hit, Nodoka noticed this unconscious reaction and inwardly cursed the child's father once again.

"I'm ordering you some new clothes for your male form" Nodoka explained.

"New clothes?" Ranko asked, eyes widening, she was rarely blessed with this, normally she would be forced to steal her own clothes, never had she received any new ones.

"Yes" Nodoka replied in a motherly tone

'She's like a…an angel…no one's ever been so kind to me…but do I deserve it?' Ranko cried out within her mind, her father's words echoing throughout her mind.

'You're worthless, pathetic, slut, dishonourable, weak, girl, you don't even deserve this, you're a waste of space' those phrases and so much more constantly flashed before her, filling her out with a sense of worthlessness, tears began to brew behind her eyes and she quickly looked away from Nodoka, not willing to show her, her tears, her weakness, Nodoka didn't deserve to deal with her problems.

'She doesn't need my problems…I already eat her food, take her clothes, her money, she's kind to me…I'm already an inconvenience to her…I can't let her see how pathetic I am…she doesn't deserve a burden such as myself' Ranko wept within her mind.

Nodoka frowned when she saw Ranko quickly look away from her, her entire body stiffened when she saw a single tear fly off her face when she turned.

'She's crying…but why?' Nodoka asked herself.

"Ranko…what's wrong?" Nodoka asked.

"Nothing…I just…don't deserve your kindness" Ranko stated, not willing to face Nodoka, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Of course you do…everyone deserves kindness, you more than anyone I've ever met" Nodoka, replied, trying to comfort her, moving in behind her.

"No I don't…I'm nothing…worthless…a burden you don't deserve to bare" Ranko continued, her head falling, her bangs hiding her face.

"Sweetie you're not a burden…" Nodoka replied.

"Yes I am!" Ranko screamed before running off and out of Nodoka's reach, Nodoka sprinted past her to block the door to the corridor only to have Ranko alter her direction with incredible agility and head out the side door into the dining room and so Nodoka gave chase.

Ranko was fast but so was Nodoka, just as Ranko was about to open the door from the dining room to the kitchen, planning to go through the hallway and out the door, freeing Nodoka of the burden that was herself only to have Nodoka dive on top of her, pinning her down.

"Let me go" Ranko squealed, trying desperately to escape.

"No! not until you listen to me, you are not worthless or a burden and you are not pathetic Ranko, you're a sweet innocent child who has suffered more than most people do in their entire lives…you are not a burden to me Ranko if anything to me you are a blessing to my life and this world" Nodoka said, forcing a squirming Ranko to the ground, Ranko's whole body stiffened at hearing Nodoka's words.

"How am I a blessing?" Ranko asked.

"My son was taken away from me years ago…for years I have cried myself to sleep and sat alone in this house just waiting for him to walk through that door…my house is empty of life and happiness…at least it was before you arrived, you haven't been here long but just having you here makes me happy…you bring back the few memories of the times my son was here" Nodoka explained, tears brimming in her eyes, all Ranko's struggling ceased and Nodoka got off of her.

"I'm sorry" Ranko said, her voice but a whisper.

'Great…I'm even taking the place in her heart where her son belongs…not me…I'm ruining everything' Ranko screamed within her mind.

"You didn't know…well why don't you find something to amuse yourself and I'll make us some dinner" Nodoka said.

'I'm getting fed again…I don't deserve this kindness' Ranko cried out within her mind but physically she merely nodded and headed through the kitchen and straight upstairs, head bowed in depression as it continued to set in.

A/N Sorry I've taken so long to update and it's so short, plz review and as always I am open to suggestions.