A/N: Despite the efforts of nature… I LIVE!

Please refer to the prologue for content rating information.

Disclaimer: The original work below is based on the characters and works of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media. I do not own the rights to any of this content, and am not benefiting financially from its publishing.

Silver Linings Dojo

by Kevin Mohaj

Chapter 9

Tale of Lost Piglet

Ono Tofu closed the door to Ranma and Ryoga's hospital room and grimaced to himself.

I should have told them.

Ono Tofu stalked the hallways of the Nerima Medical Hospital into the surgical care unit; two medical doctors were standing before a large glass window looking into the surgery room. The doctors nodded at Tofu and the senior physician approached and handed Tofu a chart attached to a red clipboard. Tofu scanned the chart briefly before looking through the window.

A host of surgeons and nurses were hovering over a form laid out on an examination table obscured by a draping white curtain. Tofu looked through the window and could sense the elder doctor approaching him even before the man began to speak in soft tones.

"The damage done to her neck was extensive, Ono," the doctor said in a slightly pained voice. "Specifically, her laryngopharynx was severed on one side…" the older man finished with a sigh.

Tofu felt himself nodding as he returned his gaze to the glass window, he sighed, "I should have waited for the CT scan before telling her friends. Ueno-sensei, what is your prognosis?"

Ueno-sensei ran a wrinkled hand across a wave of gray hair and replied slowly, "The patient has laryngeal nerve damage to the left nerve according to the laryngoscopy, and it has become apparent with the CT scan that extensive damage caused paralysis to the left vocal cord. My companion, Chiba-sensei" Ueno motioned towards the other doctor who was roughly Tofu's age, "is the otolaryngologist that performed the initial arytenoid adduction stitching, and we recommended a thyroplastic implant."

Tofu nodded at the other doctor before returning his gaze to the glass window. The white curtain was drawn back and Ukyo was being wheeled to her room. Tofu sighed in relief when one of the surgeons made a 'V' towards the glass window.

"So she will be able to breathe on her own as we originally expected," Tofu said in a controlled voice, "Will she… Will she recover her voice?"

Ueno and Chiba met gazes for a moment before Ueno extended his arm and grasped Tofu on the shoulder, the elder man slowly shook his head before speaking.

"In my opinion, it is very unlikely that she will recover full use of her vocal chords… Honestly, the last Jigaki case I dealt with was in medical school in the sixties, before thryoplasty was as developed. The patient was unable to speak for twenty-five years. To date that patient is barely able to whisper," Ueno said with a voice heavy with sadness.

The younger doctor gave Tofu a searching look before he began to speak, "Her larynx is only half-paralyzed," Chiba-sensei said in a tone of disagreement, "The implant is designed to assist the paralyzed chord in muscular motion and greatly speeds up the healing process."

Tofu nodded again, but said quietly to the younger doctor, "Do you have a different timeframe in mind?"

Ueno had walked to the back of the observation room and was turning off equipment when the other doctor motioned his head significantly and said, "Why don't we speak in my office? It's on the other side of this ward."

Tofu's eyebrows rose slightly, then he nodded and followed the young doctor. The two walked in silence down twisting hallways before the young man spoke.

"Ono-sensei, it is a pleasure to meet you. I've heard very much about you lately," the young doctor led Tofu into a spacious office and guided him to a chair. Chiba-sensei turned and closed the door behind him.

Tofu took a moment to appraise the young doctor for the first time since their meeting. Chiba moved with the precision and balance of a martial artist that Tofu recognized quickly. Extending his senses, Tofu was unsurprised to feel ki signatures radiating from the man.

"So, you're timetable for Kuonji Ukyo's healing conflicts with conventional medical opinion… You believe she can manifest her Chi into helping heal her throat," Tofu said without preamble.

Chiba smiled and etched a short bow from his chair, "I see the rumors about you are also accurate, good. Yes, I think the patient could heal with her Chi abilities, but if you are as intelligent as they say you'll see the problem…" Chiba trailed off.

Tofu nodded sadly, "She has to want to live to use her Chi."

Chiba looked hard at Tofu for a long time, "I noticed that three of your other patients along with a fourth individual were also admitted today. I have to assume that you know what's going on?"

Tofu looked out of Chiba's office window for a moment, thinking of how to respond, when the other doctor held up a hand to stop him.

"Look, Ono," Chiba said in a hard voice, "I don't want to know. I want these… individuals… to live long and healthy lives. Ueno-sensei and I can bury the paperwork if you promise me you're going to take responsibility for their care."

Tofu was surprised, but not overly shocked by Chiba's statement. Probably should do some research on him just to be safe, Tofu thought wryly to himself. Tofu considered Chiba's words feeling a heavy weight on his chest lifting. He nodded gratefully at the young doctor before speaking.

"I promise to take responsibility. It must seem crazy to you… but these individuals are like family to me," Tofu said surprised at the emotion present in his own voice as he bowed to the other doctor.

Chiba stood and smiled at Tofu before returning his bow deeply, "Ueno-sensei was right about you. I'll have the paperwork finished within the hour; she should be waking up around that time anyway."

Ono nodded and made his way back into the labyrinthine halls of the hospital. This whole situation is like a wildfire spread out of control, Tofu mused to himself while filling a cardboard cup with water from a nearby cooler. Tofu grimaced as he put a few pills under his tongue and leaned against the wall in exhaustion.

~~~k~m~~~

"Guys…" Ranma said slowly after a silence began to stretch in their large hospital suite, "I just want t'say thanks for… ya know… thank you both for saving me."

Konatsu nodded from his chair with a sad smile. Ranma's bed was now in an upright position and she had an unobscured view of the kunoichi. He was in a green hospital gown, but his arms, legs, and shoulders were covered in deep cuts and stitching. Ranma felt tears fill her eyes as her gaze traveled to the ninja's face: a jagged cut stretched from Konatsu's chin to his right eyebrow. While expertly stitched it was obvious that the kunoichi would have a permanent and deep scar.

Ryoga looked over in mock-surprise, "Wow, you got all that out without being a jerk," his voice was teasing, but Ranma noticed a faint smile on the lost boy's face. Ryoga looked over at Ranma significantly before saying in a softer tone, "Don't mention it, buddy."

Ranma felt hot tears filling her eyes but was too exhausted to wipe the offending drops away. Ryoga seemed to tense at the tender moment and turned away quickly. Konatsu stood and walked to Ranma standing opposite his bed from Akane. The kunoichi grasped Ranma's hand and said in his soft feminine voice, "You would have done the same, Ranma. It is the duty of a true martial artist, ne?"

Ranma felt herself smile recognizing Konatsu's attempt to cheer her up. "Thanks, Natsu…. Thanks, Ryoga…"

Konatsu looked at Ranma with a serious expression for a moment before nodding with a more sincere smile.

Ranma looked over to Akane sitting in a chair pulled up to the side of his bed and smiled sadly at her. Akane's face was slightly bruised, but her cuts were mostly surface scratches; her puffy eyes made it obvious that she had spent a large portion of the day crying. She was still holding onto Ranma's hand, but her face was a glare as she spoke in a gentle yet threatening voice.

"If you ever scare me like that again I'll kill you, you big jerk," she sniffled despite her anger.

Somehow this statement perked Ranma up; sensing that Akane was healthy enough to retain her violent streak. Ranma replied in pretend-affront, "You are so uncu—achh!" The sharp pain in her throat seemed to flood her senses suddenly.

Akane used her free hand and put two fingers on Ranma's lips to silence her. The blue haired girl's face flashed from anger to concern as Ranma emitted soft, pained coughing sounds.

"You need to rest your throat, Baka," Akane said heatedly.

Ryoga chuckled, "Plus, I don't think you could survive a mallet swing right now, Ranma, so you should probably just shut up anyway."

Ranma glared at Ryoga for a second and seemed about to argue when the door to the hospital suite opened and a nurse walked in with a clipboard and a tray containing medical equipment and medicine. She looked at the rather full room and with a shooing motion addressed the people surrounding the two beds.

"Visiting hours are over for today. We have to administer medication and these patients need rest."

Akane and Akari seemed ready to argue, but Konatsu walked towards the door and raised a hand towards the two women. "Ryoga-sama and Ranma will be here tomorrow; the nurse is right they need to rest."

Akane and Akari shared a dark look, but nodded reluctantly at Konatsu. Akane felt Ranma squeeze her hand and looked down in surprise. Ranma motioned towards Konatsu and gave Akane a serious look. Akane nodded and with a final squeeze of the redhead's hand she met Konatsu at the door.

"Come on, Konatsu-kun, let's head home. Akari-san, would you like to stay at my home tonight? I know the farm isn't exactly close…" she cut off at Akari's relieved and grateful nod. The green haired girl fussed over Ryoga for a moment and everybody pointedly looked away as she gave him a peck on the cheeks, causing the lost boy to brush a brilliant red. The trio waved as they walked out of the room; the nurse closed the door behind them impatiently.

~~~k~m~~~

Tofu opened the door to Ukyo's hospital room after grabbing the clipboard left in the tray attached to the entrance. Ukyo was laying horizontally across her bed connected to numerous monitors and IV medication. Tofu closed the door and walked closer taking stock of Ukyo's vitals as he assessed the chart left for him by the nurses.

Ukyo was ghostly pale, but she was taking long shuddering breaths that came in evenly with the assistance of an oxygen mask. At least she's breathing.

Tofu leaned over Ukyo and gingerly pressed some shiatsu points across her shoulders. Ukyo was still unconscious, but Tofu could feel her Chi aligning to the pressure points.

Many people wondered how Tofu was capable of healing serious injuries with shiatsu, but surprisingly few had ever asked. Tofu learned during a research trip abroad from a variety of gurus and healers about how ki fluctuates in the body, and how injury can disrupt the body's natural control. Tofu learned to apply touches of his own ki to correct pathways and allow the body to heal rapidly. That is probably why Ranma's spine has survived Akane's mallet.

However, Tofu knew as soon as Ukyo awoke her own consciousness would take over. He sighed as he resumed his attention to her chart and other thoughts circling his head. First Ranma and Akane, and now what?

Tofu was concerned about how Ranma would handle Ukyo being mute. More specifically, how Ranma's condition would react to Ukyo as she was now. The doctor found Ukyo's steady breathing to be a comfort to his weary mind, and he sat at her bedside and closed his eyes.

Tofu chuckled despite himself remembering the first time he met Akane many years ago, and Kasumi's oft told description of her youngest sister: "She's really a very sweet girl. She's just a violent maniac." However, talking with Akane over time he came to recognize her anger as a form of social phobia. The hordes of boys attacking her daily certainly didn't help her condition. Tofu paused; Ranma was the only boy that stood a chance… he turns into a girl, and if Akane has a… need to express her violence then Ranma acts as an… outlet for that need. Tofu paused his musings on the blue haired martial artist.

Traumatic events, paranormal or not, can create an array of psychological issues; Akane, for instance, was easier to explain: sacrificing herself for Ranma and surviving a near death experience traumatized her. Knowing the problem wasn't helping the good doctor in a prognosis for Akane, but he was heartened after a (rather nerve-wrenching) conversation with Kasumi. Akane has already taken steps to return to a normal life.

A normal life.

Ranma was the largest concern. His symptoms were far more disturbing than Akane's, or he begrudgingly admitted to himself, Ukyo's as Ranma's condition was dangerous to those around him and to himself. A normal life… Ranma has no normal life to return to. Tofu was almost certain that Ranma was facing a far more serious psychosis.

Tofu needed more time to properly diagnose Ranma, but his instincts were leading him towards a possible dissociative disorder. However, this wasn't the first time Tofu considered this possibility: Ranma came to Nerima as a young man that turns into a young woman, and while Tofu appreciated the help Saotome Genma provided as his assistant for a time the tales of Ranma's upbringing that reached the doctor were disturbing.

Childhood abuse, torture (his opinion of Genma deteriorated when he learned of the NekoKen from Nabiki), literally turning into a form completely different from your own body and gender notions… bad drug experiences.

Tofu grimaced at that last thought. Not that Ranma abused drugs, rather drugs seemed to abuse Ranma: paralysis powders, sleeping drugs, amazon potions… Tofu was certain that any other person would have developed serious psychological dissociation from these events.

One important fact precluded this psychosis for Tofu: Ranma never seemed to accept his curse as a separate person. Tofu often tried to put himself in his patient's place while meditating; Ukyo's steady breaths seemed to calm him further as his thoughts focused on the pigtailed martial artist.

How would it feel to randomly and often transform into a young beautiful woman…

Ranma never seemed to accept being a woman. Thinking only of the young man's mental health, Tofu was pleased of that fact, but not for the underlying misogyny it reflected: Ranma maintained one identity for two years despite his curse and his traumatic past.

Not anymore…

Tofu mused that losing Akane was more severely traumatic to Ranma than anything he had faced. In his desperation and his fear he finally lost his sense of self: depersonalization disorder. Hearing a voice in his head, a female voice, he said. Then the Suishō Bakuhatsu manifested confirming Tofu's fears. Ranma was now a divided identity: all of his fears, his insecurities, and his true feelings for Akane are echoing in his neurological pathways as 'a voice in his head.'

Not a bad theory, not a good theory.

Tofu was considering the paranormal psychology of recent events when Ukyo began to stir slightly. Have to warn her about Ranma. He stood and leaned over her as he saw recognition in her glazed eyes. Tofu smiled warmly at her.

"Ukyo, you have a lot of people worried about you. Don't try to speak… There are a few things you need to know."

~~~k~m~~~

"Why did you save me?" Ranma broke the awkward silence after the nurses left for the evening. The two martial artists were laid up in their beds casually picking at terrible hospital food morosely.

Ryoga looked uncomfortable and didn't answer at first. Then he responded with a question of his own: "Remember when I developed the 'Shin Shishi Hōkōdan?'" he asked with a grimace.

Ranma nodded solemnly, and Ryoga continued, "You wouldn't let me destroy myself, and I didn't want you doing it either. This new technique of yours, what are you calling it again? The 'Suishō Bakuhatsu?' It makes the Shishi Hōkōdan seem safe in comparison. What the hell emotion is that based on?"

Ranma fidgeted in silence for a moment wondering what to say.

'Ya might as well tell him about the voice in your head.'

Ranma looked over at Ryoga and hesitated.

Ryoga seemed to sense Ranma's discomfort, "Look, Ranma. I have some experience with this sort of technique, and I have a Jusenkyo curse. Who else can you really talk to about this?"

Ranma nodded and said hesitantly, "Ryoga… I don't think this technique is really based on an emotion. I think I'm going crazy… Lemme ask ya something… does your curse ever… talk… to you?"

Ryoga seemed put off by the question but not nearly as much as Ranma expected.

"Talk to me? Well… not exactly."

Ranma's felt her neck ache as she whipped her head to look over at Ryoga, "Whaddya mean not exactly?"

Ryoga grimaced and a blush came to his face before he began to speak.

"A while ago I started to really think about my curse. It's hard not to get lost in thought when I'm perpetually lost on the road," Ryoga shrugged and continued, "Did you ever notice that the pig would always show up at the perfect time to humiliate me?" Ryoga frowned at Ranma's soft chuckle but kept talking through gritted teeth, "I blamed you for the longest time for getting me cursed in the first place!" Then Ryoga seemed to mollify and he bowed his head, "then I let my jealousy and anger bring great shame to me, and to you… and, to Akane."

Ranma slowly nodded, but inwardly she was stunned. Ryoga kept on like he was in confession.

"I was living like an honorless pig, that's how my curse spoke to me. When I found Akari…" Ryoga seemed to smile at something in the distance, "I stopped being 'P-chan' and started being… well, me." He laughed suddenly, "I don't seem to go pig as much anymore."

Ranma nodded. Ryoga looked up at her and asked softly, "Ranma, did you ask me that because you're curse is telling you something?"

Ranma stiffened before letting out a long sigh. She nodded, "I've been hearing this voice… not all the time. Hell, sometimes I think it's my own thoughts, but still it comes back."

Ryoga seemed to consider her words for a while before he responded, "You think it's the curse talking to you? What does this have to do with the new technique? Is… is the voice controlling you?"

Ranma gulped as he heard Ryoga bite back the word 'she' and slowly nodded, "It's really emotional, and kind of a pain… She insults and mocks me half the time, but… damn, this is hard ta talk bout. It's like emotions I used to shrug off set the voice off… and…"

"…hence the Suishō Bakuhatsu… I see," Ryoga finished. "It'll be hard to control a technique that… you aren't consciously using, and dangerous."

Ranma nodded, and surprised herself when she realized she was crying.

She felt Ryoga's eyes on her for a moment before the lost boy said in confident tones with a smile in his voice, "but it sounds like a challenge… I thought Saotome Ranma didn't lose?"

Ranma smiled suddenly, "Damn straight."

~~~k~m~~~

Konatsu walked dejectedly into the Tendo home a few meters behind Akari and Akane. The ninja was lost in thought when they were greeted by Kasumi and Soun in the entrance, and was grateful that the girls explained what happened in crisp detail as he relaxed with a cup of hot tea.

Konatsu was miserably aware of everybody's reaction to his face. The kunoichi had consciously avoided mirrors for the entirety of the day.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Nabiki grilled the trio for more information, but the two girls were apparently as shell-shocked by the day's events as Konatsu. Konatsu helped clean the table and did all the dishes. Kasumi made to stop him at first before she relented and went off to another chore leaving Konatsu alone in the kitchen.

After he finished cleaning, Konatsu made his way upstairs towards the guest room when he heard a call from down the hall, "Konatsu-kun, come in here for a minute." It was Akari's voice.

Konatsu walked into Akane's room and was grabbed by his arms and sat in front of Akane's vanity. Akari and Akane looked at him with concern and understanding on their faces.

"Konatsu-kun," Akane began, "we know you… are still very upset about what happened."

Konatsu smiled sadly, "Honestly, I am far more relieved that everybody is alive than I am upset over my face… It will impair my… disguise." At that the male kunoichi began to sob in great heaves. He felt two pairs of arms around him and he just let the raw emotion pour out. Dimly he registered Akari wiping his face gently with a tissue and he sat up.

"Gomen… I just don't know what to do with myself anymore," the ninja moaned.

Akane grabbed his shoulders in a sudden movement surprising him, "Konatsu-kun… you saved the lives of three people today."

"You saved my Ryoga-chan! You're as brave as a pig, Konatsu-chan!" Akari chimed in with a smile.

Akane's smile was a little less enthusiastic, but she agreed, "Yeah, and you saved Ranma as well. I don't think Ryoga could have found the breaking point if you hadn't chopped up the crystal lake, we all owe you a great debt Konatsu-kun."

Konatsu smiled at the praises, and faced himself in the mirror. Oh, I'm so… well, not ugly I guess.

Akane and Akari noticed him appraising himself in the mirror; Akari ventured with a giggle, "You could always go for a tough-girl look, you know?"

Akane and Konatsu joined her in giggling and Konatsu felt that strange surge of warmth he was becoming more familiar with.

"Thank you, both of you," Konatsu said firmly, "plus, if Ranma is really going to train us," he continued with a sly grin, "…then a tough girl look might be more appropriate."

"Konatsu-kun… do you think you could…" Akane started hesitantly and blushed, "maybe… Oh, I can't believe I'm asking a boy this… could you teach me how you… you are really amazing with makeup…" she finished lamely.

Akari surprised them both with a giggle, "Tomboy, indeed!" she laughed at Akane's deepening blush before continuing with a smile, "Konatsu-chan could you teach both of us? I'm not getting left out of make-over night!"

Konatsu smiled broadly. He knew that they were being there for him. It felt strange, this warm sense of belonging.

"I suppose I could divulge the ancient secrets of kunoichi disguise…" Konatsu said with a smile.

Akane and Akari shared a laugh as Konatsu pulled a multi-compartmented make-up case from the plane of aether and began setting out brushes of various sizes and shapes.

Konatsu was happily setting out colors when he noticed an odd look on Akari's face; being a master of social ninjutsu, he followed her gaze without notice to a picture on Akane's vanity. Akari's face seemed to be filled with shame as she looked away from the photo.

Konatsu noticed it was a picture of Akane holding a black piglet.

~~~k~m~~~

A/N: Oh, dear. Well, I feel healthy as a pig.