Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma ½, it is owned by Rumiko Takahashi. I don't own anything. This is just for fun.
Ryoko POV:
It has been a week sense Nam and I left the temple. During the week Nam and I were traveling we up our training. Using my iron cloth technique I made our weight even heavier, mine more so then Nam's. I wanted to up my speed so I can keep up with Ranma as well as other fast martial artists. If there is one thing the anime knowledge I have in my head is any indication speed has trumped strength a fair number of times. That and someone said a true fighter possess both speed and strength not just one of the other.
My training was more like a copy and paste from Rock Lee's training beside the really absurd ones his sensei had him do. Nam, on the other hand, went at his own pace. Nothing bad about that as he is only trying to get stronger, I on the other hand, am trying to fight warriors like Herb and Saffron.
If anything I remember is that Saffron was the strongest fighter we ever fought. If anything he was without a doubt far stronger than any of us. The reason Ranma somehow won was because Saffron wasn't at full power, he used Saffron's weapons against him and well luck.
It's why I have to get stronger. All because we survived that ordeal last time doesn't mean we will survive this time especially if he reaches full power. It's why I'm now training to use Goku's Kaio-ken technique.
Since I can't go super Saiyan and Rock Lee's 8 inner Gates seemed suicidal the Kaio-ken seems the best method to double my strength in a pinch making it an excellent trump card.
Fortunately, the knowledge of how to use the technique is in my head so when I tried it my aura which when it's normally visible is green yellowish color turned red. My muscles expanded a bit with some veins sticking out. In a way, it worked as I felt immensely powerful but unfortunately, it only lasted a couple of seconds where I then passed out. Apparently, the stress of the technique is still too much for me to handle yet so I had to hold off on it.
I still have time to get stronger as well as help Ranma as well so I'm not too worried. Maybe I'll help Mousse get stronger too; he is my only other friend thought were only friends due to having a common enemy in Ranma. Now that I don't consider Ranma my enemy I guess I'll have to try to get to know Mousse better.
Well, other than that I practiced using a technique Goku used called Dragon Fist. The ability to make your ki to form what looks like a dragon was a technique I just had to learn. It took me the entire week to finally learn it. I can't wait to show this technique to Ranma he would be so jealous I have this awesome technique. It's a good thing I have lots of ki or else I wouldn't be able to do have the stuff I can do now.
Well now after a week of training Nam and I finally made it back to Nerima. My first stop will be home of course. I like to find out if my parents made it back yet or not. That and to see Shirokuro, I think I should bring her with me more as she is good with directions so having her lead me places can make it easier as Nam is only known Chinese and English so I'll be busy teaching him some Japanese.
3rd POV:
A week later the two martial artists are seen walking through the market area in Nerima. As they are walking Nam sees an antique shop.
"Hey Ryoko how about we go in here there might be something interesting in here?" said Nam.
Ryoko seeing why not heads in with Nam as they look through the store seeing all kinds of odds and ends some of the stuff even came from China.
"Ah Customers, welcome to my shop would I interest you in a special sale offer we are having today?"
Ryoko looks to the old man and can't help but think he looks familiar like she met him before. "Um sure, what are you offering sir?"
The old man takes out a small box. "This here is special contact lenses from China. These lenses were made of magical properties to allow the wearer perfect vision no matter how badly your eyesight. For this limited time offer, I can sell you this for 20 thousand yen."
'That's a lot of money for some contacts. I certainly don't need them but I bet Mousse would love to have perfect vision. It may help him train better and just maybe he can win Shampoo affections. Mousse always did have good looks without his glasses.' Thought Ryoko.
Ryoko takes out some of the money she got from that criminal organization she took down two weeks ago and pays the old man.
"Ah thank you for your purchase and come again." Said the old man.
Ryoko puts the contacts in her bag and continues looking around waiting for Nam to finish. While Nam was looking around he comes across a basket of fishing rods. "Hook your true love? What the heck does that mean?" asked Nam.
The old man sees what Nam is looking at explains it. "That their young man is the Fishing Rod of Love or Koi Rod of Love whichever you prefer. You see that suction cup make sure it lands on the breast of the one you love and they will fall in love with you." Said the old man in English.
"Really with this any girl I snare with this will fall in love with me?" asked Nam in disbelief.
"Not quite sir. The Koi Rod only effects the affections of the person you attach it to ten folds. That person has to have some feelings for you or it won't work. So using on just anybody won't work. But use on someone you know who you spent time with like, for instance, your lady friend if she has some affection for you they will multiply causing her to fall in love with you. There is an instruction manual if you need it?" Said the old man
'So I can make certain girls I know fall in love with me? I wonder if it would work on Ryoko. It would be kind of fun to see a lovesick blond falling for me. Maybe I'll try this sometime later you know for kicks.'
"Okay I'll buy one how much?" asked Nam.
"That will be 1 thousand yen." Said the old man.
Nam pays for the Koi Rod and puts it along with the manual into his bag. He then heads out where Ryoko is waiting for him.
"So found anything interesting?" asked Ryoko.
Nam smiles a bit. "Not really but they did have some interesting stuff. So where to next?"
"Well I'm kind of hungry so how about we go to the Neko Hanten, I need to talk to a friend there anyway." Said Ryoko.
The two then set out asking for directions for the Neko Hanten. While they were doing that somewhere in Nerima a maroon hair woman in kimono is walking through Nerima looking for her friend's home of residence. It takes her a few more minutes until she arrives at the residence she is looking for.
"Ah Hibiki residence, this is the place Kazu-kun said he and Karin will be staying at while I was staying at the Tendo Dojo. So this is where Krista lives now well sometimes anyway. It's been too long since I saw my old friend. I hope she is in there it would be nice to talk to her again. We haven't talked much ever since she married Ryuho and started getting lost just as much as him." Said Nodoka.
Nodoka goes to the door and knocks. A minute later a man with reddish-brown hair and wore a black Denim jacket, red sweatshirt, and navy blue jeans opens the door.
"No-chan it's good to see you back, Karin missed you. So how was visiting your son and …husband go?" asked the man.
Upon seeing the man Nodoka gives him a hug. "Kazu-kun its good to be back. As for my son and husband I didn't per say meet them."
Kazuma looks at her confusedly. "But if they weren't there why did you stay there that long?"
"Because when I arrived at the Tendo I was introduced to their cousin Ranko Tendo. She had a disturbing resemblance to me when I was younger and my hair was fully red which reminds me." Nodoka then raises her hand to her head. Ki radiates from her hand as the top part of her hair turns red.
"Now that I'm back I don't need that ki disguise for my hair. I only used it so when I meet Genma he wouldn't suspect anything as my hair was turning more maroon when I married him."
Kazuma reaches out running his hands through her red maroon hair. "I like your hair this way No-chan you are more beautiful this way."
Nodoka blushes a bit. "Thank you Kazu-kun but we really shouldn't do this here especially in the doorway."
Kazuma laughs a bit before leading Nodoka inside to the living room. "Okay fine but what else were you saying about this Ranko."
"Well Ranko and her pet Panda were staying at the Tendos and those two were kind of odd. They had a tendency to end up in the koi pond a lot. The Panda also was much smarter then it seemed and could understand Japanese and wrote on wooden signs to communicate with everyone." Said Nodoka.
"Really a Panda could do all that? Wait I thought people couldn't own Pandas as a pet." Asked Kazuma.
Nodoka nods her head. "Your right you can't. They said the girl trained the Panda but I highly doubt it. Their story sounded very made up like they did it on the spot. The Panda acted far too human at times. When they thought I wasn't looking I saw the Panda do a number thing humans do one being I saw it playing Shogi with Soun Tendo like it was the most normal thing in the world."
Kazuma gets into a thinking pose. "Now that is odd what else."
"The girl Ranko was a complete mystery. She was very vague about herself as well as everyone else about her and my son and husband. The girl had a lot of male mannerisms to point I had to step in as acted to point most would think she was a loose woman at how loose some of her clothes were. It was odd trying to get someone who looked so much like me to act more conservative. Honestly, I felt like I was trying to take care of an unruly daughter. Its why I suspected there was more going on with the way everyone acted around me like they were hiding something?"
"So did you ever meet your son?" asked Kazuma.
"Well I thought I did but I'm not sure. Akane set a meeting for me and my son but a water main broke and almost killed me. I was almost forced to use my ki to escape but just as I was falling a young man with a pigtail like Ranko's saved me. He looked like a grown-up version of my son. But when I came to I was in the hands of Ranko. Funny thing is they were wearing the same clothes and Ranko's clothes seemed too big for her. As much as I wanted to get to the bottom of it I decided it was best to do so without them knowing so I left. I think it's best to stay here for a few days so we can spy on the Tendos and ask around about Ranma and Genma." Said Nodoka.
"Hmm very interesting I think gathering information is a good idea. Though be sure to lose the kimono as they will recognize you a mile away with it even with your red hair." Said Kazuma.
Before Nodoka could respond she heard someone was running downstairs rushed to the living room and wrapped their arm around Nodoka's waist hugging her. Nodoka looking down sees a 5yrs old redhead little girl with brown golden eyes staring back at her.
"Mommy you're back I missed you!" exclaimed Karin.
Nodoka raising her daughter in her arms hugging her. "It's good to be back too Karin I missed you too. Now Karin was you a good girl while mommy was away?"
The girl nodded her head. "Yes mommy, I did as you said and did what Papa told me to do. I also played with Shirokuro and some of her cute puppies." She points to the dog in questions now sitting next to the couch with 2 puppies.
"Ah thank you for keeping my little girl company Shirokuro." Said Nodoka. The dog barks an affirmative.
"Now Karin why play with the puppies some more while I talk with your father some more. Oh and have Shirokuro get the Furo ready as I need to take a soak and I like it if you join me later Karin." Said Nodoka.
"Okay mommy, come on Shirokuro and puppies lets go." Karin then runs upstairs with the dogs following behind.
"Well, now that Karin is gone there is something I want to know. So have you thought about my proposal yet?" asked Kazuma as he leans in closer to her.
Nodoka who blushes a bit but doesn't seem to mind. "Yes Kazu-kun I have thought about it and for the last 6yrs after Karin was born I was putting it off but you are right. I don't really have much feeling for Genma anymore to the point I really don't care anymore. He stopped sending me letters about Ranma long ago that any guilt I felt when I believed I betrayed our marriage when I got drunk that one night and slept with you and had your child are gone."
Kazuma wraps his arm around her hugging as he runs his hands through her hair as he kisses her head. "And what else?"
Nodoka looks at him in the eye. "I realized the years we spent together was more important to me than the oh so little time I spent with Genma. I was fooling myself with family honor when it was I just trying to make up for disobeying the father in marrying that older man he wanted me to marry. It because of that honor I practically gave up being a mother to my son just so I can be a dutiful wife. It took me spending 5yrs alone in an empty house than spending 3yrs of traveling with you then another 6 raising Karin after to realize how empty my life was before." She then kisses Kazuma as they passionately make out for a few minutes.
After a while, they separate with their foreheads still touching panting. "It's why I accept your proposal. You've been nothing but patient with my indecisiveness Kazu-kun. You've always been by my side. I can't believe it took me this long to understand how foolish I was to choose honor over this." Said Nodoka.
Kazuma grins. "Don't beat yourself up too much. I already told you that what makes people happy are the people in their lives, not something as flimsy as honor; besides honor is kind of overrated anyway."
"Well, first thing tomorrow I'll divorce Genma as I still haven't seen him in 15 yrs. I'm done waiting for him. I tried visiting the Tendos to see him face to face but he wasn't there. I bet he chose to run and hide from me. If he doesn't want to see me then fine I'm done with him. I still wish to see my son but I know we are little more than strangers at this point. Honestly if the reason I still can't see my son because of that seppuku contract then Genma really must have done something to cause him to flee. That contract is null in void due to Ranma signature being done when he was only two. Children can't sign contracts they can't understand. Genma should have known that. I guess it doesn't matter now anyway. I deal with my son later I still need to marry the perfect man right in front of me so Karin can have the perfect family she deserves."
Kazuma snickers a bit. "Not sure about perfect considering my sister married a Hibiki and now they are lost somewhere with their kid god knows where but I'll take what I can get." The two start to make out some more on the couch enjoying each other's company.
Back with Ryoko and Nam they finally make their way to Neko Hanten. As they make their way in they are greeted by a Chinese waitress.
"Nihao welcomes to Neko Hanten have a seat one of our waitresses will be with you shortly." Said the Green haired waitress.
The two take a seat at a table while they wait to order. "It looks like Granny Cologne hired some more waitresses. But by the looks it they look like martial artist by the way they move. They must be more Amazons, maybe they came here to train under Granny Cologne." Said Ryoko.
"So they are Chinese great then I can speak my native language here then." Said happily, Nam.
After a few minutes, an orange hair waitress takes their order. They order in Chinese for Nam's benefit with Ryoko ordering miso Ramen and Nam Pork Ramen. Before the waitress leaves Ryoko stops her.
"Wait I like to talk with Mousse, I'm his friend there is something important I need to tell him. Tell him Ryoga Hibiki is asking for him."
The orange hair waitress looks to the bond. "Okay I'll tell him but I don't see why you want to see the stupid blind boy for." She then walks off to the Kitchen.
'I guess they have the same opinion of Mousse like Shampoo. I wonder why he continues to deal with their abuse. I hope I can help him. Maybe helping him get stronger will improve his relationship with them.' Thought Ryoko.
After about a minute or two a long hair boy with comical big glasses in white robes walks to the table. Mousse looks to Nam. "Okay, one of the girls said you asked for me Ryoga now what do you want that so important?"
Ryoko gestures to herself. "Mousse I'm Ryoga and before you ask yes I went to Jusenkyo and got cursed again. This was my choice it was better than the alternative." She said in Chinese.
Mousse nods his head in understanding. "I guess I understand you after all out of all the Nerima curse inhabitants yours was one of the worst to have. I don't know how many times you ended up here to almost end up getting cooked by the old mummy and Shanpu. But still can't believe you chose to be a girl, now you're just like Ranma. Hey, you're not going after Shanpu now are you?"
Ryoko giggles. "Of course not silly, I wouldn't do that to my friend." She then playfully hits him in the arm.
Mousse who was rubbing his arm was blushing being caught off guard in the way his friend is acting. 'Wow, Ryoga really sounded girly back there. His or her voice sounded actually pretty cute. It's too bad my vision is so bad because she looks like a blur but from her voice, I bet she looks cute. I know Ryoga always been alone so I sympathize with him but he changing into a girl doesn't mean he now likes guys now?'
"So Ryoga what do you want me for? It's not to take you out on a date, is it? I know we are friends but you know who my heart belongs to." Said Mousse.
Nam raises an eye at that but Ryoko speaks. "Of course not dumbass I came here to give you something." She reaches into her bag to get the box she got earlier. "I just bought this it's supposed to be special contact lenses that give you perfect vision. I thought you could use it. Here try them on"
Mousse takes the box opens it looks at the contacts not quite believing they could work. Deciding it was worth a shot he took off his glasses and put on the contacts. He looks around and is surprised at how clear everything is now. He looks to Nam the Shaolin monk boy with a black ponytail. Marveling at how detail he looks before looking to Ryoko only to be shocked at the vision of beauty sitting before him. A blond girl with shoulder length hair and green eyes, and one of her fangs sticking out of her mouth making her look cute. She had her iconic bandanna around her neck like a scarf and was wearing an orange gi with a blue shirt underneath. Even with the dull clothing, it hugged her body in a way that showed just how fairly proportionate she was.
Mousse shook his head trying to keep his head out of the gutter. "Um thank you, Ryoga this was a great gift. Thanks to you I can truly see now. How can I repay?"
Ryoko shook her head. "There is no need and call me Ryoko when you see me in girl form. Though there is one thing you could do is can you come train with me at the abandoned lot. I'm training myself to get stronger and I thought perhaps you like to join in as well. I have gotten stronger on my last training journey and I think I can teach you a few moves."
Mousse thinks about her proposal. 'Ryoga wants to train with me? No one asked to train with me before much less offer to teach me some techniques. I wonder if she will teach me one of those ki techniques I heard Ranma learned. Well, I do owe her and I would like to know her better. She has proven to be a true friend.'
"Okay Ryo-Ryoko, I accept to train with you." Said Mousse.
Ryoko gives a heartwarming smile. "Thanks, Mousse I appreciate it. And before I forget can you tell Ranma to meet me in the field after school tomorrow. I wish to test how much stronger I become. The field is probably the safest place for us to fight so can you?"
Mousse was blushing at the way she was smiling at him. "Um sure no problem but how will you get there on time. Do you want me to take you there tomorrow?"
Ryoko continues smiling at him. "That would be nice of you. It would give us more time to talk some more. That and I like you to be there rooting for me when I finally beat Ranma. So meet me at my house the abandoned lot is behind it okay."
"Okay then see you tomorrow then I have to get back to work but I promise I'll deliver your message." Said Mousse as he quickly heads back into the kitchen covering his blushing face.
A moment later the waitress brings their order over and the two start to dig in. 'Man Ryoko is such a natural flirt. She doesn't even notice how she affects people just by talking to them especially by just smiling at them. Why doesn't my girl form affect people that easily?' thought Nam.
After half an hour they finish and pay for their tab before setting off to the Hibiki residence. In about half an hour they make it to Hibiki residence and notice that the lights are on.
"Hey, I think someone is home maybe mom or dad is back." The blond rushes to the door and opens it with Nam not far behind.
"Mom Dad I'm home." Called out Ryoko.
Kazuma and Nodoka who were still on the couch after their make-out session hears a familiar voice at the doorway.
They walk over to the doorway and were surprised to see who it was. "Krista nee-chan it's good to see you. You look younger for some reason did you cut your hair? Never mind let me give a hug." Kazuma immediately hugs Ryoko.
Nodoka not far behind does the same. "Krista it's good to see you again you have no idea how much I missed you."
Ryoko was surprised that these two people hugging her mistook her for her mother. "Hey wait I'm not Krista. I'm her son Ryoga Hibiki!"
Kazuma and Nodoka stop hugging the girl before looking her over. "Hey you're right you are not my sister. I see some of Ryuho in you especially that fang sticking out. Wait you said you're Ryoga? I met Ryoga when he was little and without a doubt, he was a boy. I changed his diapers after all. And I know if my sister would have told me if she had an older daughter." Said Kazuma.
"Can you hold your questions for later when we're not in the doorway. Let's go to the living room I'll explain there. And can I have some Hot water it will explain some things?" asked a haggard Ryoko.
After a few minutes later the four of them were seated on the couch. Nodoka had given Ryoko some hot water and was about to start explaining. Nam, on the other hand, was just fine sitting back watching the proceeding since he couldn't understand a lick of what they are saying.
"Okay, first of all, don't freak out on what you are about to see." Ryoko takes the glass of hot water and dumps it on her head transforming into Ryoga. Kazuma and Nodoka were surprised to see a boy with green hue dark hair who resembled Ryuho.
"Your Ryoga aren't you. You look just like your old man just looks less like a prick now." Said Kazuma rubs his head after Nodoka slap it.
"Language Kazu-kun, now Ryoga there is more to this isn't there?" asked Nodoka.
Ryoga looks to the redhead woman and sees a resemblance to Ranma's female form but dismisses it not believing he met someone who might be related to Ranma. Ryoga then explains the month-long trip he took heading to Jusenkyo on how he got cursed the first time his experience with it and wanting to get a new one. After he was done both adults were quiet until got close to Ryoga and hugged him.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry you had such a tough life. I hope you don't resent your parents for this curse dear. They really tried to do what's best for you." Said Nodoka.
"Ah it's okay I don't resent them. I could never do that as they are all I have. I'll do anything for my family." Said Ryoga with determination
Kazuma laughs a bit. "Well, at least you got Ryuho's good quality about protecting family above all else. You have both Ryuho and my sister's good qualities. Your parents would be proud.
"Besides I have a way to end the curse or per say gain control of it." Ryoga goes to his bag and takes out the 5-star dragon ball. "This is a dragon ball if I collect all seven balls I can make two wishes."
Kazuma and Nodoka blink at this. "Wait you say seven of these balls will grant you any wish? So you are planning to use this to cure the curse? Are you sure they are real?" asked Kazuma.
"Yes Uncle, here hold it. You can tell just by touching it that it has immense power lying within.
Kazuma holds the dragon ball and he indeed senses great power that almost rivals his own. "Wow, and there are actually six more of these things? Well, kid if you plan on using this to cure the curse then I have your back. I like to help cure my sister of her curse so we can all be a family again."
Ryoga smiles at his Uncle. "Thank you, Uncle Kazuma. But I was told I can't cure the curse but I could wish for control of it so that's the next best thing."
Kazuma shrugs. "Well its close enough and that's fine by me."
Nodoka was in a thinking pose before she chose to speak. "Um, Ryoga by any chance is there anyone else who can transform like you."
Ryoga looks to the redhead woman. "Um yes, Mrs…"
Nodoka realizing she hadn't introduced herself speaks. "I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Nodoka Sao- um just Nodoka or aunt as I plan on marrying your uncle."
"Um congratulations aunt Nodoka, now as I was saying there are others who are cursed like me one being Nam there." Pointing to Nam. "He doesn't speak Japanese so can any of you speak English?" They both nod. The conversation continues in English. "Nam here has a girl curse like me. There are two Chinese amazons that transform into a duck and cat. There is also my friend who also turns into a girl Ranma Saotome and his father"
Nodoka interrupts. "Did you say Ranma?" she quickly grabs Ryoga's shoulders while all the puzzle pieces about Ranko start coming together. "Tell me what does his transformation look like?"
Ryoga was taken aback by how aggressive she was but answered none the less. "Well, his girl form has red hair and blue eyes and is a bit short with a huge chest. Now that I think about it you look a lot alike his girl form?"
Nodoka lets go of Ryoga with her eyes wide opened as she thinks about this implications. 'Ranma and Ranko were one and the same. Of course, that's why Ranko looked so much like me but acted like a tomboy. She was Ranma, now that I think about it she was very compliant to do things I asked of her. I thought she merely did it because she wanted a mother figure but it was actually Ranma trying to get to know me. So Ranma truly does care about me but he or she is afraid of me isn't she. I noticed she was more afraid when I took out my sword. I tried to act like a clumsy woman to make her think I didn't know how to wield a sword but she was still scared. Well, at least she doesn't know I actually a master swordswoman who skills reached almost godlike skill to the point my father said I was born in the wrong era and that I should have been born in the Feudal era; which is why he arranged that marriage for me in the first place.'
Kazuma walks over to Nodoka. "No-chan are you okay?"
Nodoka turns to her fiancé. "Yes, Kazuma I just have a lot to think about how I know Ranko and Ranma are the same person. It's good to know my son actually does care though even if he is afraid of me. Ryoga I can assume the Panda at the Tendos is Genma Saotome."
"Yes Mr. Saotome is the Panda and wait did you say Ranma is your son?" asked Ryoga.
Nodoka then explains her relationship to Ranma about giving him to Genma at two when he insisted on taking the boy on a 14 yrs training trip. She told him she eventually met his uncle traveled with him until she fell in love with him and gave birth to a daughter and they been together ever since.
"So are you still married to Mr. Saotome?" asked Ryoga.
"Yes dear but tomorrow I officially divorcing him as I haven't seen him in almost 15 yrs so I can marry Kazu-kun as we already have a happy family together. Would you like to see your cousin Karin?" asked Nodoka.
"Really I love to." Said Ryoga.
"Okay before we go I want to do something first." Nodoka takes a glass of water she was drinking earlier and dumps it on Ryoga's head turning him into a girl.
"Ah what was that for?" complained Ryoko.
Nodoka giggles a bit. "I'm sorry dear it's just I wanted to see it again up close. So this what Ranma does to transform into Ranko. It is no wonder she was always wet."
"But aunty my curse is different than the others. My curse is semi-permanent so I have to wait 12 hours until I'm able to transform back. Unlike everyone else I have to be a girl half if not most of my life." Said Ryoko.
Nodoka looks a bit ashamed face. "I sorry Ryoga I didn't understand how severe your curse was. I guess my curiosity got the better of me as I wanted to see a glimpse of your mother again."
Ryoko hugs Nodoka which she returns. "It is okay aunty I'm used to being a girl for the most part I think. Oh and call me Ryoko when I'm in girl form okay. So can we see my cousin now." asked Ryoko.
"Of course dear. Kazuma while we talk with Karin how about you try to teach Ryoko's friend here some Japanese." Then the two went upstairs to see Karin. Kazuma who looked to their guest sees that he was already asleep.
"I guess when we switched back to Japanese when we started talking about Ranma he started falling asleep. Oh well, guess I'll just follow his example and take a nap it is getting late anyway." Kazuma sits back down on the couch falling asleep.
Upstairs the redheaded girl Karin was in Ryoga's room when playing with the two puppies as Shirokuro watches over them. She is staring at the door when Nodoka and Ryoko walked in.
Karin looks up. "Mommy, look at how cute these puppies are. Hey, who's that pretty lady mommy?"
Nodoka wasn't sure how to introduce Ryoko without confusing the girl. Luckily Ryoko chose to introduce herself. "I'm Ryoko Hibiki and this is my room. So how do you like staying in my house?"
"It's really nice here especially the puppies here." Said Karin.
"I see there are two more puppies left. I guess Shirokuro gave the others away," said Ryoko.
Shirokuro who was watching Ryoko walks over to her sniffing her. Confirming that Ryoko was indeed the young master and not her mistress she starts licking the fanged girl.
"Ah, Shirokuro stop it that tickles. Okay ok, I missed you too. I guess I shouldn't be surprised you recognized me as you did the same when I was P-chan." Said Ryoko.
After Shirokuro's licking session Ryoko goes over to Karin and gets a good look at her. 'Wow, she really looks like a child version of Ranma-chan just with brown golden eyes. Hmm, I know from my interaction with Ranma in my future version self that Ranma never had a sister or the fact I never met my uncle before; could this timeline be diverging so thing won't be the same. Well, I didn't do what I did before so maybe but then again perhaps that mysterious guy had something to do with this. That or maybe something bad happened that caused both uncle Kazuma and Karin to disappear or something. Oh well, thoughts for later.' Though Kazuma.
"So momma, are we going to take a bath together now and will Ryoko join us?" asked Karin.
Nodoka pats Karin's head. "Yes dear we are and I think Ryoko joining us is a good idea."
Ryoko is surprised at this. "Wait but I'm not a real girl."
Nodoka pats Ryoko on the head. "There is no need to be shy besides its as you said you are going to be a girl more than half of the time so bathing with them is something you have to get used too. From what I gather should you go to a public bath you'll have to go to the women's side or risk getting splashed with cold water turning into a girl in front of many guys? And I rather not see an exposed version of my friend Krista in such a situation now come on." Nodoka leads both girls to the bathroom where they quickly get changed. They head to the shower to start their pre-wash.
Nodoka looks at Ryoko mischievously. "Now Ryoko how about we help you wash yourself?"
Ryoko looks nervous. "Uh no thanks, I can do this myself."
"Ah, no need to be shy I'll get your back while Karin will get your front." Said Nodoka leaving no room for a no in the argument.
Nodoka ended up washing Ryoko's body quite invasively embarrassing Ryoko while Karin kept on playing with Ryoko's breast making them bop up and down. When they were finally done and resting in the furo Ryoko was completely exhausted.
"Your boobies were fun to play with. Almost as big as them and as fun as mom's too," said Karin happily.
"I agree they were fun. It was just like when Krista and I were younger. It was nice to see a younger version of her face look so embarrassed." said Nodoka.
Ryoko who was hanging off the side of the Furo was panting. "Um aunt Nodoka I've been meaning to ask you but I plan on fighting Ranma in a spar tomorrow after school lets out. Are you planning on talking to Ranma?"
Nodoka has a sad face. "No, not yet but I plan to watch in secret. I want to observe my son for a while without him knowing it. I like to tell him first when Genma isn't around so he knows he doesn't have to follow that promise he made. Besides that promise to be a man among men sounds completely ridiculous not to mention a bit sexist when you think about. It's a good thing he got his curse I have a feeling he was told women are weak."
"Well, I have been around their house enough as P-chan to know that Genma has said that before as well as other sexist things before." Said Ryoko.
Nodoka leans in close. "Do tell I like to learn as much as I can about Genma's deeds."
Ryoko then explains everything she knows about Genma and some of his dealing Genma has done and from what she heard about.
While the girl's gossip in the furo in the Tendo Dojo Ranma is practicing working off some stress.
Tendo Dojo
It was late in the evening and Ranma was practicing his katas again. "This is so boring. Come on it's the same thing every day. The routine is barely changing. All these fights I do are annoying easy. There simply is no challenge anymore!"
"I already surpassed Pops and fighting him again is just embarrassing now. Even those weird wackos who come to marry me or my girl-side aren't much of a challenge anymore. The last fight that really got my blood pumping was when I fought Ryoga when he learned that Shishi Hokodan. That was a fight. He actually pushed me to improve so I could match him. For that matter where the hell is that PIG!"
"He has been gone over a month now. He should have been back already. Not that I'm worried about him or anything but he promised to be back after he finished his training or whatever. Oh yeah, he said he was headed to Jusenkyo to get a new curse. Hopefully, he'll actually stumble upon the cure or something and bring it back."
"Well, a guy could dream. I just wished he was here, at least as P-chan he can calm Akane down from all her bouts of rage. Sheesh, she just can't take a joke sometimes. Oh yeah, the P-chan thing was exposed when P-chan squealed like a pig telling her everything. And that is why she is so angry now."
"Ever sense Ryoga confessed she has been getting angrier. Akane used to have P-chan like a security blanket and now that he is gone she has nowhere to direct that anger. I made of hated seeing him cuddle with her as a pig but at least he kept her sane as she beat the pig in her sleep. Yes, I did see that a few times and I often wonder what would drive a person to go so far. And I sure as hell not being her punching bag. I sick of all her mallets shooting me through the stratosphere."
"I just wished the pig came back home already. Those two need to make up. I know she is still angry at him but I know she is sorry for hurting him like that. I heard her enough times at night crying saying she was sorry for hurting him as much she wished him pain."
Ranma stops his Katas and calms down. "Ah, I guess that enough katas for one day guess its time to turn in and get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow will be better… fat chance at that." Just as Ranma is about to leave Mousse enters the dojo.
Ranma turns to Mousse in the ready position. "Mousse I don't have time to fight you. Come back some other time especially since you don't have your glasses duck boy."
Mousse was getting angry at Ranma's taunt calms down. "Shut up Saotome. As much as I like to knock that irritating smirk off your face I have a message for you."
Ranma looks at Mousse annoyingly. "Okay, what does the messenger duck have to tell me that Shampoo or is it the old Ghoul couldn't tell me in person?"
Mousse had a tick mark on his head as he gritted his teeth. "It's not either of them if that's what you're wondering. It is Ryoko I mean Ryoga she asked me to give you a message."
Ranma full attention is caught at the mention of Ryoga. "Did you say Ryoga? Where is he and wait did you say she?"
Mousse turns his head. "Make of as you will but she asked me to tell you she will be waiting after school to challenge you tomorrow. She has gotten much stronger since the last time you fought so I'll be rooting for her to kick your ass. And don't worry about her being late as I will be picking her up at her house to take her to the fight."
Mousse then turns to leave but before he goes he says one more thing. "And for your information Saotome I don't need glasses anymore Ryoga gave me contacts so I won't ever need to wear them again." And with that, he left.
Ranma was still standing there thinking about what Mousse said. 'So Ryoga is finally back in town. Looks like Christmas came early this year. And he said Ryoga got even stronger oh I can't wait.'
Ranma then starts grinning like a maniac. "Man I hope Mousse was telling the truth that he will bring him there tomorrow. Wait didn't Mousse kept calling him she. Wait does that mean that Ryoga went to Jusenkyo and got the same curse as me? Well, guess that means no more P-chan huh. I can honestly say I'm going to miss the pig. Hopefully, Ryoga can still patch things up with Akane I hate to see them fight. Guess I'll get ready for the big day tomorrow then." Ranma then leaves the dojo to get some sleep to get ready for the big day tomorrow.
Unbeknownst to the pigtail boy Nabiki was listening on the other side of the door. "Well looks like Ryoga is back in town. If he is fighting tomorrow then I can make a huge profit. I wonder if Mousse words were any indication that Ryoga has indeed become a woman. If he has then he is probably the mysterious blond girl who came into town the boys keep talking about."
Nabiki smirks. "I have a feeling those back up blackmail material I have on Ryoga will come in handy. I can already smell the money."
A/N: I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. As for Ryoga's family members, I was too lazy to make new names for them so I used the same name and personality for them from my first fic. Of course, relationships are pretty much the same for Nodoka. I just don't plan on killing Genma is all. I think.