Chapter Three: Ryouga's mission
____________________
Akane and Ranko ran towards the school. Akane had trouble getting Ranko to wake up and they were running late. Akane prepared herself for the morning routine of being assaulted. The schoolyard was empty save for other students who were also rushing to class. Ranko looked at Akane and shrugged. They walked into the school and were actually early for a change even having started late.
Once in class however Akane was surrounded by her fellow classmates all asking questions. It took her a few seconds to realize what they were asking about. Somehow it had gotten out that Akane was dating Ranma and was thinking about getting engaged to him. Once she got past the initial shock she realized there could only be one person responsible for starting the rumors. Nabiki. Akane vowed to chew her sister out at the earliest opportunity.
Ranko wasn't stupid. She thought she might have an idea about what Nabiki was up to. It would be easier for the students to accept a relationship between Ranma and Akane than one between Ranko and Akane. It would also make things easier if the relationship didn't work out. She frowned at the thought. Was she gay? She'd never thought about romance much before. She did have the idealistic thoughts about the perfect relationship. Her experiences with the opposite sex, especially her father, however had skewed her expectations greatly. She hadn't been attracted to women before either even though she got along with them better, until Akane came along. Was her attraction just because Akane cared for her? Would it wear off once her life became somewhat normal? She sincerely hoped it wouldn't. Except for the first incident in the bathroom her and Akane had been inseparable. Unfortunately she had no frame of reference to gauge her relationship against. Maybe Nabiki could help, or Kasumi, once she found out. She figured Kasumi would have had a few boyfriends before. She was a college student after all.
Lunchtime couldn't come soon enough for Akane. She grabbed Ranko and immediately set out to where Nabiki usually ate. Nabiki was just finishing up some business with another student as Akane stomped up to her.
"Just what do think you're trying to do? Half the school thinks I'm engaged to Ranma!" Akane exclaimed.
"Well you wanted me to find a way to help make your relationship work didn't you? How would you think your friends would take it if they found out you were dating Ranko?" Nabiki replied causually.
Ranko placed her hand on Akane's shoulder, "She's right you know. Most people wouldn't understand."
Akane's anger diminished but didn't disappear, "I just wish you'd clear it with me first."
"There were a few boys stupid enough to try and challenge you this morning even after what you did to Kuno and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally get them to stop."
Akane smiled, "Ok Nabiki, I apologize. Just give me a little warning next time so I'm prepared. There were some pretty embarrassing questions that I was asked this morning."
"All right, I will. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a business to run."
* * * * * * * * * *
The girls were just leaving the school grounds, giggling and talking when a shadow appeared over Ranko.
"Ranko Saotome! I have found you at last!"
Ranko managed to jump out the way just in time as boy wearing tattered and worn yellow travel clothes and a tiger striped bandanna landed in an attempt to grab her.
"R-R-Ryouga? W-What are you doing here?" Ranko stuttered.
The boy stood up and brushed the hair out of his eyes, "I'm here to save you from that worthless father of yours."
"You know this guy?" Akane asked with concern and jealousy tainting her voice.
Ranko nodded, "I went to school with him for a while. Maybe we should go somewhere a little less public to talk."
Akane noticed a small crowd had gathered to view the commotion. She nodded and the three left the school grounds much to the disappointment of the rumor mongers.
* * * * * * * * * *
The trio sat in the dojo as Ranko began her story.
"I met Ryouga at an all boys school. Father enrolled me to 'toughen' me up. I was tormented almost every day by most of the students because I was the new 'guy'. Ryouga always came to my defense. One day he discovered that I was really a girl. When I explained the reasons I was at the school he vowed to follow me home to have a talk with father. Father became worried that Ryouga would find out about him beating me and decided it was time to go training in China. Ryouga was one of the few guys I could call a friend."
"So were you two more than friends?" Akane asked with a hint of worry.
"Of course not. You know my feelings on the subject." Ranko hastily replied.
Ryouga looked disappointed, "Where is your father anyway?"
Ranko explained the events of the past few days. Akane filling in details as needed. They left out their budding relationship. No need to for everyone to know. Akane didn't know how Ryouga would take it anyway. She'd seen his look when Ranko had claimed they were no more than friends. She's mine! Akane repeated over and over in her mind. You can't have her!
Then Ryouga told his story. After Ranko had disappeared, he set out to find her. Eventually he made his way to China but he was always at least a week or two too late to catch her or Genma.
Kimiko came in at that moment with some lemonade, "You looked like you could use something cold to drink after all that talking." She explained.
Unfortunately Ryouga's bamboo umbrella was lying on the floor and the normally graceful Kimiko tripped and spilled one of the glasses all over Ranko.
Ryouga gasped as he stared at a very male Ranko, "Jusenkyou" he whispered.
"You know about Jusenkyou? Have you been there?" Akane asked.
"No, no! I've heard about it though." Ryouga said quickly.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to go change back and get some clean clothes on." Ranko said getting up. Kimiko apologized but Ranko waved it off saying it was all right and that it happened all the time.
After Ranko left Akane turned to Ryouga, "So you followed Ranko all over China just to save her because she was your friend?"
Ryouga gulped nervously, "Well, pretty much. No one should have to live a life like that."
"I agree, but you seem to be more interested than that. You've got a crush on her don't you?"
Ryouga blushed and tried to hide it.
Akane didn't know whether to laugh or get angry, "You realize how she feels about men because of her father don't you?"
Ryouga looked confused, "He didn't."
Akane realized what he was getting at, "No, he never touched her like that."
Ryouga sighed in relief.
"She does hate men though. It may take her years before she'll ever trust a man again if ever. Besides, there's her curse as well. Most men would be hard pressed to have a relationship with a girl who also turns into a guy." Akane pressed the point home. She felt that by making it look distasteful she could drive Ryouga away or at least give up on his crush.
"I don't care. I'll be there to help her if she needs it." Ryouga responded.
Damn. She'd have to think of another approach, "You're welcome to stay for dinner if you'd like." She said trying to be civil.
"That's very kind of you. I don't think I'll be staying long though. I still have to find Ranko's father and give him a piece of my mind."
Are you sure you can spare it? Was what ran through Akane's mind as they left the dojo to the house.
Dinner was a quiet affair as Ranko had been slowly learning decent table manners since arriving. Not having to fight for her food helped as well.
Soun offered to let Ryouga sleep in the dojo when Ryouga commented that he'd set his tent up in a park or vacant lot. Ryouga declined but asked if he could set up his tent in the backyard instead. Soun agreed and soon everyone went to bed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ryouga was just drifting off to sleep when he heard movement out in the yard. He looked out of his tent to see a shadowy figure sneaking almost silently towards the house. Noticing the gathering clouds in the night sky he grabbed his umbrella and followed the stalker as he made his way towards the house.
As Ryouga approached he saw the figure leap up to the second floor and head towards the window he knew was Ranko's. As the figure tried to open the window, Ryouga leapt up to face it.
A flash of lightning from the oncoming storm illuminated the form of Genma Saotome.
"You!" they both exclaimed.
Ryouga immediately assumed a battle stance as Genma went defensive.
"Yaaah! Ryouga yelled as he crossed the gap between the two combatants. Genma avoided the attack by jumping down to the yard below. Ryouga jumped down after him, pulling a few bandannas off his head and flinging them like shruikens. Genma avoided them with ease.
"You'll have to do better than that boy!" Genma laughed. He kicked Ryouga in the gut, knocking him back and leaving him gasping for air. "I see you're carrying an umbrella. Afraid of a little rain boy?"
Ryouga's eyes widened in shock. He knew? But How? "What are you talking about old man?"
"It was one of the quickest, easiest ways to stop you from following us. Yes, I knew you were dogging our steps all over China so when I saw you overlooking the cliffs above Jusenkyou I kind of helped you fall over." The man smiled evilly.
"It was you! You're to blame for the hell you've put me through! For your crimes against Ranko and myself you shall pay dearly! Die Genma Saotome!"
Upstairs Ranko was woken up by someone knocking on her door. It opened revealing Akane and her sisters. "I think someone's fighting downstairs." Akane said quietly.
The four girls crept downstairs and opened the back door to a downpour of rain. They could see two figures fighting every time lightning flashed.
"Could it be Ryouga fighting a prowler?" Ranko asked.
Nabiki handed Akane one of her training weights. Akane hefted it getting a feel for its weight. "We'll see won't we?" She threw the weight out into the rain towards one of the figures.
Genma was trying to disarm the boy and thus expose him to the rain when a barbell flew out from the house hitting Ryouga in the head. Ryouga's umbrella fell from his hand and his clothes suddenly seemed too loose as Ryouga disappeared into them.
Genma saw the lights go on in the house and decided it would be best if he wasn't around when they came out to investigate.
"What's going on down here?" Kimiko asked, coming down the stairs with her katana out.
Akane and Nabiki went out to investigate as Ranko and Kasumi explained what had happened.
Akane came back in with Ryouga's clothes. No one could fully explain what had happened although Ranko thought they might be a spare set of clothing and Ryouga was out chasing the prowler.
They finally decided to head back to bed. Ranko entered her room with the light off. Something moved in the shadows and Ranko nervously prepared for attack. Something small leapt out and bounced off a couple of walls trying to make it for the door. Ranko snagged it and it let out a squeal. She realized she was holding a small black piglet by a tiger striped bandanna.
"Oh, Aren't you cute! Hey you have a bandanna like Ryouga's. I wonder if you belong to him?"
The pig nodded frantically. Ranko hugged him to her chest and the pig fainted. Akane was just getting back in bed when Ranko knocked on her door.
"Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw?" Ranko said as she sat on Akane's bed holding out the little pig.
"He is cute! Where did you find him?" Akane asked.
"In my room. I think he might be Ryouga's. He has the same kind of bandanna. Do you think we can keep him?"
"If he's Ryouga's won't he want him back?" Akane asked.
"Unless Ryouga has changed, I doubt he'll be back anytime soon. He has no sense of direction whatsoever. He could get lost in a closet. He'll be back in a couple of weeks now that he knows where I'm staying."
The little pig was sitting between the two girls in pajamas trying hard not to look at either of them.
"Well, I'm going back to bed. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Akane said stifling a yawn.
"How about a goodnight kiss?" Ranko gave a seductive smile.
Akane grinned and met her gaze.
The piglet's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he witnessed the kiss. It wasn't a quick kiss between friends but more of lovers. The pig developed a sinus hemorrhage and passed out.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ryouga woke up caught in a bone crushing embrace. He frantically tried to remember where he was and almost passed out again when he did. He was pressed up tight against Ranko's breasts and held there with a strength that would have crushed a stone to dust.
He tried to calm down and think things through. He wasn't too good at it but when you're wandering alone as much as he did you tended to be introspective. What had he seen earlier? Ranko and Akane were what, lovers? Akane knew about Ranko's curse. Did that mean she was in love with male Ranko? Akane did say Ranko hated men. Could Genma have been so bad that Ranko could only find love in the arms of another girl? Ryouga's mind whirled at the thought. It could just be a phase. He read somewhere that girls sometimes experimented with this sort of thing as teenagers. That must be it. Ryouga smiled as much as a pig could. When Ranko and Akane broke up he would be there to step in and take over. First though, Ryouga had to take care of Ranko's worthless father.
Ryouga was suddenly able to breathe again as Ranko turned over in her sleep. Using this as an opportunity he freed himself and went looking for the bathroom to change back and go on his mission of vengence.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko came downstairs wearing a baby blue robe covering the nightgown she had bought when they'd gone shopping. She smiled sleepily at Nabiki and Akane who were already at the breakfast table.
"Akane? Have you seen P-chan?" Ranko asked.
"P-chan?" Akane said confused.
"Ryouga's pig. You know P for pig and chan for cute. He wasn't in my room when I got up."
Akane shook her head, "Sorry, Ryouga's gone too. His camping gear and tent were gone when I woke up this morning."
Ranko shrugged, "Oh well, He'll be back. I just hope P-chan wasn't meant to be his food supplies or something like that." That was when she heard the sounds of Kimiko and Kasumi in the kitchen. "Now add some flour. No, that's sugar! Not that! That's baking powder."
Ranko cringed. Kasumi was a great person but never felt the need to learn to cook with her mother taking care of the house. Now she was trying to learn so she could attract a certain doctor.
Akane grimaced as something exploded in the kitchen, "Well," she began, "Maybe it won't be as bad as the other day."
"I have some antacids if it is. Only one thousand yen a piece." Nabiki offered.
"Nabiki, what have I said about taking advantage of family members?" Soun scolded.
"Oh all right. Let me know if you need any after breakfast."
With Kimiko running damage control, breakfast was actually not bad. It was a little spicy and some of it was overcooked but overall it was edible.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko had excused herself after breakfast and said she was going to go for a walk and get used to the layout of the neighborhood. Akane offered to go with her but Ranko decline politely. Ranko wanted some time to think by herself. She was walking along a stone wall when she heard the commotion.
There were six girls in Furinkan uniforms surrounding a tall black haired woman dressed in a black leotard with a rose embroidered on one side. The woman laughed insanely which sent shivers up Ranko's spine. She didn't look full Japanese. No Japanese woman had hair that curly or was that tall unless they were mixed blood. Of course Ranko knew that red hair was not common among the Japanese either.
It was then that Ranko noticed the other girls were wrapped in numerous bandages and one girl even had her arm in a sling. The tall woman laughed again and began snapping at the wounded girls with a red gymnastics ribbon, using it like a whip. Suddenly it stopped. The dark lady looked up to see Ranko holding the end of her ribbon between two of her fingers.
"You caught my ribbon. Not many can do that. I am Kodachi the Black Rose, and you are?"
Annoyed? Uninterested? "I'm Ranko Saotome of the Anything goes school of martial arts." Ranko finally said.
"Know then that you have made an enemy this day!" Kodachi exclaimed as she leapt into the air and bounded away trailing black rose petals and laughing her insane laugh. Ranko caught one and examined it. There was a small logo, 'Black rose petal manufacturing, Greater Tokyo, Japan.' Very strange considering it was a real rose petal.
The girls suddenly surrounded Ranko offering thanks and gratitude.
"Aren't you Ranma Saotome's brother?" one of the girls asked.
Ranko's face reddened for a second, "Yeah, I'm Ranko. What was that girl trying to do?"
Another of the girls explained, "That's Kodachi from St. Hebreke High School. She's the captain of the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics team."
"She always ambushes the opposing teams before their match so her school always wins by default." A third girl explained.
Soon everyone was back at the Tendo dojo. The girls were all crowded into Akane's room.
"Please! You've got to help us. You're the only two girls left at school who have any skill at martial arts. You're our only hope!" the captain of the team pleaded.
"All right. I'll help. Akane?" Ranko raised an eyebrow in Akane's direction.
"Sure, I'll help. You sure about this Ranko?"
"Not a problem. It's not like I'm fighting a guy right?" Ranko responded cracking her knuckles with a gleam in her eye that Akane hadn't seen since their first sparring match.
The girls expressed their gratitude and left behind a box of training gear.
* * * * * * * * * *
"So do you know how to use any of this stuff?" Akane asked.
"A little. I trained mostly in unarmed combat." Ranko shrugged.
"Well, mom has been teaching me different weapon styles for a couple of years now and some of these, like the clubs, are similar to weapons I'm familiar with." Akane said flipping her long ponytail out of the way. She looked up to see Ranko staring at her. "What is it?" she asked self consciously.
"Hmm? Oh, I was just looking at your hair. I wish I could wear my hair long like that." Ranko said quietly.
"Well why don't you? Your hair must be pretty long inside that pigtail."
Ranko sighed and sat down on the dojo floor, "Well, um, you see. My hair is kinda cursed."
Akane almost laughed but seeing the sad look on Ranko's face decided to keep it in. "What do you mean by cursed?"
"Well it was on the way back from China."
____________________ Begin Flashback sequence ____________________
Ranko was running over a wooded hillside. She was panting heavily, her long red hair trailing in the wind. She looked over her shoulder quickly. She slowed when she realized there was no one pursuing her. It was then she noticed a small tavern in the dying light. She felt her coin purse she kept hidden in her underwear and felt it would be ok to splurge on a meal. She hadn't eaten since the night previous when she had snuck out of Genma's camp.
She entered the old inn and went to the bar. The room was empty save for a bowl of steaming porridge sitting on the bar. Ranko looked around again. Obviously no one was here to eat it and if the manager came in she would simply pay him for the food she reasoned. She quickly downed the food and sat back with a sigh. She suddenly heard a scream from behind her and turned to see a middle aged Chinese man staring at her.
The Chinese man sighed with relief, "Thank goodness you are girl." He said in broken Japanese, "You eat special dragon whisker soup. If a bald man eats it he will be blessed with new found hair. But if man already has hair he will be cursed to grow hair very quickly until he run out. Lucky for you it have no effect on girls."
There was a scream as Ranko had poured a glass of cold water on her head to test the theory.
____________________ End Flashback ____________________
"He gave me this legendary dragon whisker to seal the curse until the day the curse wears off." Ranko said holding a wiry hair out for Akane to examine.
"So your hair grows out of control in your guy form but not in your girl form. Can this be tied anywhere in your hair for it to work?"
Ranko shrugged her shoulders, "I guess so. Why?"
Akane got a gleam in her eye, "I want to experiment. We can train later."
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko looked in the mirror. There was an empty glass and an empty kettle on the vanity top. She was staring at herself as Akane had a proud expression on her face.
"What do you think?" Akane asked expectantly.
Ranko was in awe. Akane had grown Ranko's hair out in her guy form so that it just reached Ranko's rear. Then she braided Ranko's hair into seven braids behind her ear on her left side, pulling the remaining hair into a long ponytail held by multiple hair bands down her back. Then the bangs were trimmed just enough so that they curled just above the eyes. One of the braids was tied with the dragon whisker.
Ranko nodded slowly, "Wow Akane. It looks beautiful."
"And in guy form it will look kind of rugged. In a medieval sort of way. I almost wish I could grow my hair out like that. Just think, short hair one day, long hair the next."
Ranko shook her head watching the way her hair moved, "Only problem is that I could run out of hair. I don't want to wear a wig the rest of my life."
"Well, are you ready to go train now?" Akane asked.
Ranko got up and kissed Akane on the lips, "Sure thing. Thanks."
* * * * * * * * * *
Although Akane was better with the tools, Ranko had her beat on the actual gymnastics. Ranko explained that was because the Saotome school specialized in midair combat so she was more acrobatic because of that. They only had a week to train until the competition but they felt confident they would be ok. After all, if it had the words martial arts in it, then they could win anything, Ranko had remarked.
It was a few nights later that they ended a training session early. Akane was impressed at the speed Ranko was mastering the various tools. She excused herself to go bathe and get ready for bed. Ranko stayed behind because she wanted to try a new move she'd thought of.
Akane entered her room in her pajamas with a towel still around her shoulders. She was tired from all the training. She wondered where Ranko got all her energy from. Yawning she flopped on her bed and looked up at the ceiling.to see Kodachi with a large mallet falling towards her.
Akane leapt off the bed just as the mallet hit the pillow exploding it into a cloud of feathers.
"What are you doing in my room?" Akane screamed.
"Why just checking out the competition. After all, I want to make sure it's a fair fight." Kodachi laughed.
"You call this fighting fair?" Akane kicked the mallet out of Kodachi's hands causing it to fly back on konk Kodachi on her head. With a second kick Akane sent Kodachi out the bedroom window in a cloud of black rose petals. "Hey! Who's going to clean up this mess?" Akane shouted after her.
Ranko came running out of the dojo when she heard the sounds of fighting coming from the house. She looked up just in time to see a figure flying out of Akane's room. Thinking it might be Akane, Ranko jumped up and caught the person. Unfortunately, Ranko's trajectory landed them in the koi pond.
Kodachi came to and looked up into the eyes of her savior. He was gorgeous. So masculine and tall.
"My hero." She said softly, "By what name should I call my knight in shining armor?"
Ranko began to get nervous. She didn't like the way this conversation was going, "I'm, well, I'm, Ran."
"Oh names do not matter! A rose by any other name and all that. Here, a gift from your new love." Kodachi smiled pulling a bouquet of black roses from somewhere.
Ranko was disgusted. This girl was hitting on her. She felt bile rise in her throat until a fine powder shot out of the roses. Suddenly Ranko couldn't move. Kodachi laid her back on the grass and carefully worked her way up to Ranko's face.
"Now my love, let us consummate our relationship." Kodachi purred.
Ranko wanted to scream but couldn't. She could barely breathe.
As Kodachi brought her lips towards Ranko's, Kodachi's eyes crossed and she fell over, unconscious. Akane stood there with Kodachi's own mallet in her hands.
"You ok Ranko?" Akane asked. When Ranko didn't respond except for a panicked look in her eyes, Akane became worried. "What did that bitch do to you?" Akane grabbed Ranko's stiff form and went back inside.
Ranko was finally able to move again by the time the water in the kettle was hot enough to turn her back to normal.
"It was awful! She had her hands all over me and I couldn't do anything about it! Augh, it was so disgusting. I mean, she was another woman for crying out loud." Ranko suddenly stopped and looked at Akane.
"Is that really how you feel?" Akane asked sadly.
"No! You're different. I don't know what it is but I don't feel disgusted when I think about you like that. The thought about doing well, you know, with any other woman makes me want to throw up. But not you. I think maybe that's what love is." Ranko explained.
Akane looked up, tears in her eyes, "You know what's funny? I feel the same way. I'm kinda disgusted with guys as well as women. Do you really love me?"
Ranko nodded, "I'm pretty sure. I still don't want to rush things too fast. I don't think I'm ready."
"I love you too. Let's kick Kodachi's ass at that tournament."
* * * * * * * * * *
School was fairly peaceful for a change. There were no crowds of boys attacking and no one seemed to be molesting Akane about details of her engagement. What was surprising was that Tatewaki Kuno had returned to school. He was walking towards the building with a limp and had his arm in a cast. He reached the steps when he noticed Ranko and Akane.
He turned to the girls, "Ah, what a fortuitous day to bring my two visions of beauty before my eyes. Oh Akane, I forgive you your fiery attention on the previous morn. Surely the accursed Ranma Saotome has ensorceled you against me. When I see him next, I shall smite him and free you from his evil clutches."
Nabiki walked up behind him and poked him in the ribs. Kuno winced in pain. Nabiki just smiled.
"And just how are you going to do that Kuno baby? If Akane can do this to you without even breaking a sweat, what makes you think you can take the one who won her heart?"
Before Kuno could reply, there was suddenly a blizzard of black rose petals accompanied by an insane laugh. Kodachi landed in front of the two girl martial artists. "Where is my beloved Ranma?" she asked Akane in an accusing tone.
"He left this morning on a training trip." Akane said using the excuse they had planned earlier.
Kodachi's smile faded then she caught sight of Ranko, "Who are you to copy my darling Ranma's clothing and hairstyle? Obviously you are attempting to steal him away from me but he was quick enough to escape your clutches. No matter, I shall punish you for him."
"Damn it you loopy bitch. My name is Ranko Saotome. Understand?" Ranko snarled showing a fierceness none of the gathered students had ever seen before.
"What? You claim the same name as my beloved Ranma! You shall never have him!" Kodachi pulled her ribbon from somewhere. Akane briefly wondered where she could hide anything on that skin tight leotard. Kodachi's ribbon snapped out only to be caught by Ranko's fingers again.
"Didn't we do this before?" Ranko said pulling on the ribbon sending Kodachi off balance for a moment. Kodachi let go before she was pulled into Ranko's range of attack. Kodachi screamed furiously and attacked with a pair of spiked clubs. Ranko used Kodachi's ribbon to knock the clubs away. Flipping it around Kodachi, Ranko tied her up with her own ribbon. Ranko then kicked her in the gut then booted her away and over the property wall surrounding the school where she bounced twice and imbedded herself in an opposing wall. Dusting her hands off each other, Ranko and Akane walked up and into the school.
Nabiki leaned against a stunned Kuno, "So, do you want to settle now or take it to court?"
* * * * * * * * * *
End Chapter three
Akane and Ranko ran towards the school. Akane had trouble getting Ranko to wake up and they were running late. Akane prepared herself for the morning routine of being assaulted. The schoolyard was empty save for other students who were also rushing to class. Ranko looked at Akane and shrugged. They walked into the school and were actually early for a change even having started late.
Once in class however Akane was surrounded by her fellow classmates all asking questions. It took her a few seconds to realize what they were asking about. Somehow it had gotten out that Akane was dating Ranma and was thinking about getting engaged to him. Once she got past the initial shock she realized there could only be one person responsible for starting the rumors. Nabiki. Akane vowed to chew her sister out at the earliest opportunity.
Ranko wasn't stupid. She thought she might have an idea about what Nabiki was up to. It would be easier for the students to accept a relationship between Ranma and Akane than one between Ranko and Akane. It would also make things easier if the relationship didn't work out. She frowned at the thought. Was she gay? She'd never thought about romance much before. She did have the idealistic thoughts about the perfect relationship. Her experiences with the opposite sex, especially her father, however had skewed her expectations greatly. She hadn't been attracted to women before either even though she got along with them better, until Akane came along. Was her attraction just because Akane cared for her? Would it wear off once her life became somewhat normal? She sincerely hoped it wouldn't. Except for the first incident in the bathroom her and Akane had been inseparable. Unfortunately she had no frame of reference to gauge her relationship against. Maybe Nabiki could help, or Kasumi, once she found out. She figured Kasumi would have had a few boyfriends before. She was a college student after all.
Lunchtime couldn't come soon enough for Akane. She grabbed Ranko and immediately set out to where Nabiki usually ate. Nabiki was just finishing up some business with another student as Akane stomped up to her.
"Just what do think you're trying to do? Half the school thinks I'm engaged to Ranma!" Akane exclaimed.
"Well you wanted me to find a way to help make your relationship work didn't you? How would you think your friends would take it if they found out you were dating Ranko?" Nabiki replied causually.
Ranko placed her hand on Akane's shoulder, "She's right you know. Most people wouldn't understand."
Akane's anger diminished but didn't disappear, "I just wish you'd clear it with me first."
"There were a few boys stupid enough to try and challenge you this morning even after what you did to Kuno and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally get them to stop."
Akane smiled, "Ok Nabiki, I apologize. Just give me a little warning next time so I'm prepared. There were some pretty embarrassing questions that I was asked this morning."
"All right, I will. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a business to run."
* * * * * * * * * *
The girls were just leaving the school grounds, giggling and talking when a shadow appeared over Ranko.
"Ranko Saotome! I have found you at last!"
Ranko managed to jump out the way just in time as boy wearing tattered and worn yellow travel clothes and a tiger striped bandanna landed in an attempt to grab her.
"R-R-Ryouga? W-What are you doing here?" Ranko stuttered.
The boy stood up and brushed the hair out of his eyes, "I'm here to save you from that worthless father of yours."
"You know this guy?" Akane asked with concern and jealousy tainting her voice.
Ranko nodded, "I went to school with him for a while. Maybe we should go somewhere a little less public to talk."
Akane noticed a small crowd had gathered to view the commotion. She nodded and the three left the school grounds much to the disappointment of the rumor mongers.
* * * * * * * * * *
The trio sat in the dojo as Ranko began her story.
"I met Ryouga at an all boys school. Father enrolled me to 'toughen' me up. I was tormented almost every day by most of the students because I was the new 'guy'. Ryouga always came to my defense. One day he discovered that I was really a girl. When I explained the reasons I was at the school he vowed to follow me home to have a talk with father. Father became worried that Ryouga would find out about him beating me and decided it was time to go training in China. Ryouga was one of the few guys I could call a friend."
"So were you two more than friends?" Akane asked with a hint of worry.
"Of course not. You know my feelings on the subject." Ranko hastily replied.
Ryouga looked disappointed, "Where is your father anyway?"
Ranko explained the events of the past few days. Akane filling in details as needed. They left out their budding relationship. No need to for everyone to know. Akane didn't know how Ryouga would take it anyway. She'd seen his look when Ranko had claimed they were no more than friends. She's mine! Akane repeated over and over in her mind. You can't have her!
Then Ryouga told his story. After Ranko had disappeared, he set out to find her. Eventually he made his way to China but he was always at least a week or two too late to catch her or Genma.
Kimiko came in at that moment with some lemonade, "You looked like you could use something cold to drink after all that talking." She explained.
Unfortunately Ryouga's bamboo umbrella was lying on the floor and the normally graceful Kimiko tripped and spilled one of the glasses all over Ranko.
Ryouga gasped as he stared at a very male Ranko, "Jusenkyou" he whispered.
"You know about Jusenkyou? Have you been there?" Akane asked.
"No, no! I've heard about it though." Ryouga said quickly.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to go change back and get some clean clothes on." Ranko said getting up. Kimiko apologized but Ranko waved it off saying it was all right and that it happened all the time.
After Ranko left Akane turned to Ryouga, "So you followed Ranko all over China just to save her because she was your friend?"
Ryouga gulped nervously, "Well, pretty much. No one should have to live a life like that."
"I agree, but you seem to be more interested than that. You've got a crush on her don't you?"
Ryouga blushed and tried to hide it.
Akane didn't know whether to laugh or get angry, "You realize how she feels about men because of her father don't you?"
Ryouga looked confused, "He didn't."
Akane realized what he was getting at, "No, he never touched her like that."
Ryouga sighed in relief.
"She does hate men though. It may take her years before she'll ever trust a man again if ever. Besides, there's her curse as well. Most men would be hard pressed to have a relationship with a girl who also turns into a guy." Akane pressed the point home. She felt that by making it look distasteful she could drive Ryouga away or at least give up on his crush.
"I don't care. I'll be there to help her if she needs it." Ryouga responded.
Damn. She'd have to think of another approach, "You're welcome to stay for dinner if you'd like." She said trying to be civil.
"That's very kind of you. I don't think I'll be staying long though. I still have to find Ranko's father and give him a piece of my mind."
Are you sure you can spare it? Was what ran through Akane's mind as they left the dojo to the house.
Dinner was a quiet affair as Ranko had been slowly learning decent table manners since arriving. Not having to fight for her food helped as well.
Soun offered to let Ryouga sleep in the dojo when Ryouga commented that he'd set his tent up in a park or vacant lot. Ryouga declined but asked if he could set up his tent in the backyard instead. Soun agreed and soon everyone went to bed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ryouga was just drifting off to sleep when he heard movement out in the yard. He looked out of his tent to see a shadowy figure sneaking almost silently towards the house. Noticing the gathering clouds in the night sky he grabbed his umbrella and followed the stalker as he made his way towards the house.
As Ryouga approached he saw the figure leap up to the second floor and head towards the window he knew was Ranko's. As the figure tried to open the window, Ryouga leapt up to face it.
A flash of lightning from the oncoming storm illuminated the form of Genma Saotome.
"You!" they both exclaimed.
Ryouga immediately assumed a battle stance as Genma went defensive.
"Yaaah! Ryouga yelled as he crossed the gap between the two combatants. Genma avoided the attack by jumping down to the yard below. Ryouga jumped down after him, pulling a few bandannas off his head and flinging them like shruikens. Genma avoided them with ease.
"You'll have to do better than that boy!" Genma laughed. He kicked Ryouga in the gut, knocking him back and leaving him gasping for air. "I see you're carrying an umbrella. Afraid of a little rain boy?"
Ryouga's eyes widened in shock. He knew? But How? "What are you talking about old man?"
"It was one of the quickest, easiest ways to stop you from following us. Yes, I knew you were dogging our steps all over China so when I saw you overlooking the cliffs above Jusenkyou I kind of helped you fall over." The man smiled evilly.
"It was you! You're to blame for the hell you've put me through! For your crimes against Ranko and myself you shall pay dearly! Die Genma Saotome!"
Upstairs Ranko was woken up by someone knocking on her door. It opened revealing Akane and her sisters. "I think someone's fighting downstairs." Akane said quietly.
The four girls crept downstairs and opened the back door to a downpour of rain. They could see two figures fighting every time lightning flashed.
"Could it be Ryouga fighting a prowler?" Ranko asked.
Nabiki handed Akane one of her training weights. Akane hefted it getting a feel for its weight. "We'll see won't we?" She threw the weight out into the rain towards one of the figures.
Genma was trying to disarm the boy and thus expose him to the rain when a barbell flew out from the house hitting Ryouga in the head. Ryouga's umbrella fell from his hand and his clothes suddenly seemed too loose as Ryouga disappeared into them.
Genma saw the lights go on in the house and decided it would be best if he wasn't around when they came out to investigate.
"What's going on down here?" Kimiko asked, coming down the stairs with her katana out.
Akane and Nabiki went out to investigate as Ranko and Kasumi explained what had happened.
Akane came back in with Ryouga's clothes. No one could fully explain what had happened although Ranko thought they might be a spare set of clothing and Ryouga was out chasing the prowler.
They finally decided to head back to bed. Ranko entered her room with the light off. Something moved in the shadows and Ranko nervously prepared for attack. Something small leapt out and bounced off a couple of walls trying to make it for the door. Ranko snagged it and it let out a squeal. She realized she was holding a small black piglet by a tiger striped bandanna.
"Oh, Aren't you cute! Hey you have a bandanna like Ryouga's. I wonder if you belong to him?"
The pig nodded frantically. Ranko hugged him to her chest and the pig fainted. Akane was just getting back in bed when Ranko knocked on her door.
"Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw?" Ranko said as she sat on Akane's bed holding out the little pig.
"He is cute! Where did you find him?" Akane asked.
"In my room. I think he might be Ryouga's. He has the same kind of bandanna. Do you think we can keep him?"
"If he's Ryouga's won't he want him back?" Akane asked.
"Unless Ryouga has changed, I doubt he'll be back anytime soon. He has no sense of direction whatsoever. He could get lost in a closet. He'll be back in a couple of weeks now that he knows where I'm staying."
The little pig was sitting between the two girls in pajamas trying hard not to look at either of them.
"Well, I'm going back to bed. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Akane said stifling a yawn.
"How about a goodnight kiss?" Ranko gave a seductive smile.
Akane grinned and met her gaze.
The piglet's eyes nearly popped out of his head as he witnessed the kiss. It wasn't a quick kiss between friends but more of lovers. The pig developed a sinus hemorrhage and passed out.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ryouga woke up caught in a bone crushing embrace. He frantically tried to remember where he was and almost passed out again when he did. He was pressed up tight against Ranko's breasts and held there with a strength that would have crushed a stone to dust.
He tried to calm down and think things through. He wasn't too good at it but when you're wandering alone as much as he did you tended to be introspective. What had he seen earlier? Ranko and Akane were what, lovers? Akane knew about Ranko's curse. Did that mean she was in love with male Ranko? Akane did say Ranko hated men. Could Genma have been so bad that Ranko could only find love in the arms of another girl? Ryouga's mind whirled at the thought. It could just be a phase. He read somewhere that girls sometimes experimented with this sort of thing as teenagers. That must be it. Ryouga smiled as much as a pig could. When Ranko and Akane broke up he would be there to step in and take over. First though, Ryouga had to take care of Ranko's worthless father.
Ryouga was suddenly able to breathe again as Ranko turned over in her sleep. Using this as an opportunity he freed himself and went looking for the bathroom to change back and go on his mission of vengence.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko came downstairs wearing a baby blue robe covering the nightgown she had bought when they'd gone shopping. She smiled sleepily at Nabiki and Akane who were already at the breakfast table.
"Akane? Have you seen P-chan?" Ranko asked.
"P-chan?" Akane said confused.
"Ryouga's pig. You know P for pig and chan for cute. He wasn't in my room when I got up."
Akane shook her head, "Sorry, Ryouga's gone too. His camping gear and tent were gone when I woke up this morning."
Ranko shrugged, "Oh well, He'll be back. I just hope P-chan wasn't meant to be his food supplies or something like that." That was when she heard the sounds of Kimiko and Kasumi in the kitchen. "Now add some flour. No, that's sugar! Not that! That's baking powder."
Ranko cringed. Kasumi was a great person but never felt the need to learn to cook with her mother taking care of the house. Now she was trying to learn so she could attract a certain doctor.
Akane grimaced as something exploded in the kitchen, "Well," she began, "Maybe it won't be as bad as the other day."
"I have some antacids if it is. Only one thousand yen a piece." Nabiki offered.
"Nabiki, what have I said about taking advantage of family members?" Soun scolded.
"Oh all right. Let me know if you need any after breakfast."
With Kimiko running damage control, breakfast was actually not bad. It was a little spicy and some of it was overcooked but overall it was edible.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko had excused herself after breakfast and said she was going to go for a walk and get used to the layout of the neighborhood. Akane offered to go with her but Ranko decline politely. Ranko wanted some time to think by herself. She was walking along a stone wall when she heard the commotion.
There were six girls in Furinkan uniforms surrounding a tall black haired woman dressed in a black leotard with a rose embroidered on one side. The woman laughed insanely which sent shivers up Ranko's spine. She didn't look full Japanese. No Japanese woman had hair that curly or was that tall unless they were mixed blood. Of course Ranko knew that red hair was not common among the Japanese either.
It was then that Ranko noticed the other girls were wrapped in numerous bandages and one girl even had her arm in a sling. The tall woman laughed again and began snapping at the wounded girls with a red gymnastics ribbon, using it like a whip. Suddenly it stopped. The dark lady looked up to see Ranko holding the end of her ribbon between two of her fingers.
"You caught my ribbon. Not many can do that. I am Kodachi the Black Rose, and you are?"
Annoyed? Uninterested? "I'm Ranko Saotome of the Anything goes school of martial arts." Ranko finally said.
"Know then that you have made an enemy this day!" Kodachi exclaimed as she leapt into the air and bounded away trailing black rose petals and laughing her insane laugh. Ranko caught one and examined it. There was a small logo, 'Black rose petal manufacturing, Greater Tokyo, Japan.' Very strange considering it was a real rose petal.
The girls suddenly surrounded Ranko offering thanks and gratitude.
"Aren't you Ranma Saotome's brother?" one of the girls asked.
Ranko's face reddened for a second, "Yeah, I'm Ranko. What was that girl trying to do?"
Another of the girls explained, "That's Kodachi from St. Hebreke High School. She's the captain of the Martial Arts Rhythmic Gymnastics team."
"She always ambushes the opposing teams before their match so her school always wins by default." A third girl explained.
Soon everyone was back at the Tendo dojo. The girls were all crowded into Akane's room.
"Please! You've got to help us. You're the only two girls left at school who have any skill at martial arts. You're our only hope!" the captain of the team pleaded.
"All right. I'll help. Akane?" Ranko raised an eyebrow in Akane's direction.
"Sure, I'll help. You sure about this Ranko?"
"Not a problem. It's not like I'm fighting a guy right?" Ranko responded cracking her knuckles with a gleam in her eye that Akane hadn't seen since their first sparring match.
The girls expressed their gratitude and left behind a box of training gear.
* * * * * * * * * *
"So do you know how to use any of this stuff?" Akane asked.
"A little. I trained mostly in unarmed combat." Ranko shrugged.
"Well, mom has been teaching me different weapon styles for a couple of years now and some of these, like the clubs, are similar to weapons I'm familiar with." Akane said flipping her long ponytail out of the way. She looked up to see Ranko staring at her. "What is it?" she asked self consciously.
"Hmm? Oh, I was just looking at your hair. I wish I could wear my hair long like that." Ranko said quietly.
"Well why don't you? Your hair must be pretty long inside that pigtail."
Ranko sighed and sat down on the dojo floor, "Well, um, you see. My hair is kinda cursed."
Akane almost laughed but seeing the sad look on Ranko's face decided to keep it in. "What do you mean by cursed?"
"Well it was on the way back from China."
____________________ Begin Flashback sequence ____________________
Ranko was running over a wooded hillside. She was panting heavily, her long red hair trailing in the wind. She looked over her shoulder quickly. She slowed when she realized there was no one pursuing her. It was then she noticed a small tavern in the dying light. She felt her coin purse she kept hidden in her underwear and felt it would be ok to splurge on a meal. She hadn't eaten since the night previous when she had snuck out of Genma's camp.
She entered the old inn and went to the bar. The room was empty save for a bowl of steaming porridge sitting on the bar. Ranko looked around again. Obviously no one was here to eat it and if the manager came in she would simply pay him for the food she reasoned. She quickly downed the food and sat back with a sigh. She suddenly heard a scream from behind her and turned to see a middle aged Chinese man staring at her.
The Chinese man sighed with relief, "Thank goodness you are girl." He said in broken Japanese, "You eat special dragon whisker soup. If a bald man eats it he will be blessed with new found hair. But if man already has hair he will be cursed to grow hair very quickly until he run out. Lucky for you it have no effect on girls."
There was a scream as Ranko had poured a glass of cold water on her head to test the theory.
____________________ End Flashback ____________________
"He gave me this legendary dragon whisker to seal the curse until the day the curse wears off." Ranko said holding a wiry hair out for Akane to examine.
"So your hair grows out of control in your guy form but not in your girl form. Can this be tied anywhere in your hair for it to work?"
Ranko shrugged her shoulders, "I guess so. Why?"
Akane got a gleam in her eye, "I want to experiment. We can train later."
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko looked in the mirror. There was an empty glass and an empty kettle on the vanity top. She was staring at herself as Akane had a proud expression on her face.
"What do you think?" Akane asked expectantly.
Ranko was in awe. Akane had grown Ranko's hair out in her guy form so that it just reached Ranko's rear. Then she braided Ranko's hair into seven braids behind her ear on her left side, pulling the remaining hair into a long ponytail held by multiple hair bands down her back. Then the bangs were trimmed just enough so that they curled just above the eyes. One of the braids was tied with the dragon whisker.
Ranko nodded slowly, "Wow Akane. It looks beautiful."
"And in guy form it will look kind of rugged. In a medieval sort of way. I almost wish I could grow my hair out like that. Just think, short hair one day, long hair the next."
Ranko shook her head watching the way her hair moved, "Only problem is that I could run out of hair. I don't want to wear a wig the rest of my life."
"Well, are you ready to go train now?" Akane asked.
Ranko got up and kissed Akane on the lips, "Sure thing. Thanks."
* * * * * * * * * *
Although Akane was better with the tools, Ranko had her beat on the actual gymnastics. Ranko explained that was because the Saotome school specialized in midair combat so she was more acrobatic because of that. They only had a week to train until the competition but they felt confident they would be ok. After all, if it had the words martial arts in it, then they could win anything, Ranko had remarked.
It was a few nights later that they ended a training session early. Akane was impressed at the speed Ranko was mastering the various tools. She excused herself to go bathe and get ready for bed. Ranko stayed behind because she wanted to try a new move she'd thought of.
Akane entered her room in her pajamas with a towel still around her shoulders. She was tired from all the training. She wondered where Ranko got all her energy from. Yawning she flopped on her bed and looked up at the ceiling.to see Kodachi with a large mallet falling towards her.
Akane leapt off the bed just as the mallet hit the pillow exploding it into a cloud of feathers.
"What are you doing in my room?" Akane screamed.
"Why just checking out the competition. After all, I want to make sure it's a fair fight." Kodachi laughed.
"You call this fighting fair?" Akane kicked the mallet out of Kodachi's hands causing it to fly back on konk Kodachi on her head. With a second kick Akane sent Kodachi out the bedroom window in a cloud of black rose petals. "Hey! Who's going to clean up this mess?" Akane shouted after her.
Ranko came running out of the dojo when she heard the sounds of fighting coming from the house. She looked up just in time to see a figure flying out of Akane's room. Thinking it might be Akane, Ranko jumped up and caught the person. Unfortunately, Ranko's trajectory landed them in the koi pond.
Kodachi came to and looked up into the eyes of her savior. He was gorgeous. So masculine and tall.
"My hero." She said softly, "By what name should I call my knight in shining armor?"
Ranko began to get nervous. She didn't like the way this conversation was going, "I'm, well, I'm, Ran."
"Oh names do not matter! A rose by any other name and all that. Here, a gift from your new love." Kodachi smiled pulling a bouquet of black roses from somewhere.
Ranko was disgusted. This girl was hitting on her. She felt bile rise in her throat until a fine powder shot out of the roses. Suddenly Ranko couldn't move. Kodachi laid her back on the grass and carefully worked her way up to Ranko's face.
"Now my love, let us consummate our relationship." Kodachi purred.
Ranko wanted to scream but couldn't. She could barely breathe.
As Kodachi brought her lips towards Ranko's, Kodachi's eyes crossed and she fell over, unconscious. Akane stood there with Kodachi's own mallet in her hands.
"You ok Ranko?" Akane asked. When Ranko didn't respond except for a panicked look in her eyes, Akane became worried. "What did that bitch do to you?" Akane grabbed Ranko's stiff form and went back inside.
Ranko was finally able to move again by the time the water in the kettle was hot enough to turn her back to normal.
"It was awful! She had her hands all over me and I couldn't do anything about it! Augh, it was so disgusting. I mean, she was another woman for crying out loud." Ranko suddenly stopped and looked at Akane.
"Is that really how you feel?" Akane asked sadly.
"No! You're different. I don't know what it is but I don't feel disgusted when I think about you like that. The thought about doing well, you know, with any other woman makes me want to throw up. But not you. I think maybe that's what love is." Ranko explained.
Akane looked up, tears in her eyes, "You know what's funny? I feel the same way. I'm kinda disgusted with guys as well as women. Do you really love me?"
Ranko nodded, "I'm pretty sure. I still don't want to rush things too fast. I don't think I'm ready."
"I love you too. Let's kick Kodachi's ass at that tournament."
* * * * * * * * * *
School was fairly peaceful for a change. There were no crowds of boys attacking and no one seemed to be molesting Akane about details of her engagement. What was surprising was that Tatewaki Kuno had returned to school. He was walking towards the building with a limp and had his arm in a cast. He reached the steps when he noticed Ranko and Akane.
He turned to the girls, "Ah, what a fortuitous day to bring my two visions of beauty before my eyes. Oh Akane, I forgive you your fiery attention on the previous morn. Surely the accursed Ranma Saotome has ensorceled you against me. When I see him next, I shall smite him and free you from his evil clutches."
Nabiki walked up behind him and poked him in the ribs. Kuno winced in pain. Nabiki just smiled.
"And just how are you going to do that Kuno baby? If Akane can do this to you without even breaking a sweat, what makes you think you can take the one who won her heart?"
Before Kuno could reply, there was suddenly a blizzard of black rose petals accompanied by an insane laugh. Kodachi landed in front of the two girl martial artists. "Where is my beloved Ranma?" she asked Akane in an accusing tone.
"He left this morning on a training trip." Akane said using the excuse they had planned earlier.
Kodachi's smile faded then she caught sight of Ranko, "Who are you to copy my darling Ranma's clothing and hairstyle? Obviously you are attempting to steal him away from me but he was quick enough to escape your clutches. No matter, I shall punish you for him."
"Damn it you loopy bitch. My name is Ranko Saotome. Understand?" Ranko snarled showing a fierceness none of the gathered students had ever seen before.
"What? You claim the same name as my beloved Ranma! You shall never have him!" Kodachi pulled her ribbon from somewhere. Akane briefly wondered where she could hide anything on that skin tight leotard. Kodachi's ribbon snapped out only to be caught by Ranko's fingers again.
"Didn't we do this before?" Ranko said pulling on the ribbon sending Kodachi off balance for a moment. Kodachi let go before she was pulled into Ranko's range of attack. Kodachi screamed furiously and attacked with a pair of spiked clubs. Ranko used Kodachi's ribbon to knock the clubs away. Flipping it around Kodachi, Ranko tied her up with her own ribbon. Ranko then kicked her in the gut then booted her away and over the property wall surrounding the school where she bounced twice and imbedded herself in an opposing wall. Dusting her hands off each other, Ranko and Akane walked up and into the school.
Nabiki leaned against a stunned Kuno, "So, do you want to settle now or take it to court?"
* * * * * * * * * *
End Chapter three