Chapter Six: Cat Scratch Fever
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Ranko walked with Akane to school with a pleasant smile on her face. She had decided on a dark green shirt and her black silk pants for school today. Of course the school had told her to wear a uniform after her first day to which she produced a note from Dr. Tofu excusing her from having to. This of course led to jealousy and envy among the other students. Only Akane's friends Yuka and Sayuri seemed to want to have anything to do with her. Hiroshi and Daisuke, two boys in her class, kept trying to ask her out but they couldn't really be considered friends.
"What are smiling about?" Akane smiled back as if it were contagious.
"Oh, I'm starting to feel at peace with myself. After ten years of hell I've finally found the exit. It's not heaven but I can live with it." Ranko replied.
Akane couldn't help but feel proud of her own part in helping Ranko recover, "I'm happy for you Ranko. Do you really think they'll allow you into the school with that sword though?" Akane pointed to the Saotome blade strapped to Ranko's back.
Ranko shrugged, "They'll let Kuno in with his."
"But Kuno's dad is the principal." Akane countered.
"Speaking of Kuno, I know you usually fight him every morning but can I try this once?" Ranko asked with big puppy dog eyes.
"Well... if you think you're up for it...All right. Be my guest." Akane gave in.
Ranko jumped up and down excitedly then assumed a serious expression, "Thou hast besmirched the honor of Tendo Akane for the last time foul sorcerer Kuno!" She broke down giggling.
Akane joined in after a second. She loved it when Ranko let her true self show from under all the pain and fear she usually displayed. She hoped that the stability of family, friends, and a home would help show that true self more often.
"Oh save me Ranko! Kuno has cast a spell to make me lose his challenge. If he defeats me I will be lost forever!" Akane joked.
Giggling, the girls continued on towards the school. The daily fights had stopped but Kuno remained. His stubborn persistence was matched only by the school's ability to overlook the behavior of the principal's oldest son.
Akane and Ranko ran through the gates and sure enough Kuno was blocking their path to the school building.
"Ahh, the beautiful Akane Tendo, Ranko Saotome. Again we meet as if by fate upon these very school grounds."
"Duh Kuno, we all go to school here. So what do you want? As if we didn't already know. Geez, this is getting old." Akane sighed.
"Your words wound me fair one. Surely this is the work of enchantments laid upon you by the foul Ranma Saotome. The gall of him to force himself upon you and not have the courage to face me in fair combat." Kuno soliloquized.
Akane smirked and nodded to Ranko, "I'm sorry Kuno but I have a stand in for our normal morning fight. Ranko, whenever you're ready."
Kuno seemed ecstatic, "The wild Ranko wishes to spar? Surely this is a sign that she has fallen for my manly charms!"
"Nah, I just have some new moves and you make a good practice dummy." Ranko snorted.
Kuno readied himself, "Surely that is your brother's influence. I shall forgive your rude upbringing if you date me."
"Date this!" Ranko shot out with a snap kick that Kuno easily blocked with his boken.
Ranko was starting out lightly as was Kuno. Ranko's reason was she wanted to get used to the feeling of fighting the macho jerk. Kuno was holding back to keep from hurting the girl who would most likely not take being hit very well.
Akane watched with an amused smirk. Compared to how Ranko and Ryouga sparred yesterday this was nothing to Ranko. This would do much to raise her self confidence. Ranko had been right though, Kuno made a good practice dummy. He was inexpensive, he didn't break as easily, and he fought back. She wondered briefly if her sister could somehow make some money off that concept. The 'Kuno martial arts dummy', available in specialty stores this Christmas. Akane snickered.
Ranko danced around the schoolyard gracefully using her family's aerial combat skills to avoid Kuno's half hearted strikes. After a couple of minutes, she kicked the boken from Kuno's hand and leapt back into a waiting stance. Kuno realized he was disarmed and did the unexpected, he straightened up and bowed respectfully. Ranko surprised, did the same.
Kuno picked up his boken, "Tomorrow then my fiery tempest?" he asked.
"H-hai, Sure thing Kuno." Ranko replied confused.
Akane walked over as Kuno went inside, "What was that all about?"
"I haven't a clue. Maybe he's finally taking his medication." Ranko joked.
With no answers forthcoming, the two girls went indoors.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was lunchtime and Ranko and Akane went to their shoe lockers to go outside for lunch. Ranko opened her locker door and found a note sitting on her black shoes. Opening it, she read through it quickly and frowned.
Ranko, Please help me! I've been kidnapped by bad men and am being held in the school gymnasium! Come save me!
Ranma.
She looked over at Akane, "Hey, Ranma isn't really a real person is he?"
Akane looked puzzled as Ranko handed her the note. She read it and laughed, "Sounds like something Kuno might pull."
A few minutes later the two were walking into the gym. The lights were off except near the stage where it appeared someone was tied up.
"Why are we doing this? We both know 'Ranma' is not kidnapped." Akane asked.
"I'm just curious as to what's going on. I don't like the idea of someone trying to trick me."
The figure on the stage began to thrash about, "Ranko, save me! Help! Untie me quickly!"
Ranko and Akane jumped up to the stage. A short slightly pudgy man wearing a cheap knockoff of the red Chinese clothes Ranko usually wore and a black wig with a pigtail sat in the middle of a spotlight.
"Who the hell are you and what do you think you're doing?" Ranko demanded.
The little man jumped up, the ropes falling away, "Haha! I have tricked you with my clever disguise! Truly, I Sasuke, loyal retainer of the house of Kuno am a master of the arts of deception."
"Self deception maybe." Akane acknowledged, "What are you doing impersonating Ranma?"
"Forgive me Miss Tendo, Miss Saotome, but my mistress has commanded this of me." He leapt up and grabbed a rope. A trap door opened under him and he fell into the storage room under the stage.
"Mistress? You mean Kodachi? Hey! I'm not done talking to you!" Ranko growled and leapt down after him. Akane groaned in frustration and followed the impulsive girl.
Ranko was shaking the small man back and forth, "Come on damn it talk! What's Kodachi up to?"
"S-s-s-he c-c-c-oman-d-d-ed-d m-m-e t-t-t-o f-f-f-f-i-n-d y-y-o-ur w-w-ea-k- k-n-ness-s!" Sasuke said woozily.
"What weakness? I don't have any weaknesses!" Ranko said.
Akane landed behind her. Her foot stepped on something soft and it let out a screech. Ranko instantly tensed up.
Looking around for the first time, Ranko noticed many glowing spots in the darkness as at least a hundred eyes watched her from the darkness. Akane fumbled around and finally found a lightswitch. Ranko gasped in shock as the room flooded with light revealing at least fifty cats.
"W-what's all this?" Ranko said calmly as she could.
"I overheard you and miss Akane talking about your fear of cats. Kodachi asked me to verify it for her. I am sorry." Sasuke bowed his head.
"Afraid of cats! Hahahaha! How absurd! Why would I be afraid of something like that?" Ranko said, eyes wide and laughing maniacally.
"Ranko? Are you ok?" Akane asked. She tried to put her hand on Ranko's shoulder but she pulled away.
"You're not even a little afraid?" Sasuke threw some fish sausage on her. The cats started to congregate, some trying to climb her legs, "How about now?"
Ranko's laughter became unnerving, "Who'd be afraid of a few c-c-cats?"
Akane was becoming scared of Ranko's behavior, "Come on Ranko, let's get out of here." She led Ranko by the hand to the door leading back to the gym.
"I wouldn't open that!" Sasuke warned.
"Who asked you!" Akane growled back flinging the door wide open. She turned and walked into something large and furry. She backed up a little and looked up at the large tiger that had been on the other side of the door. "What the hell is that doing here?" Akane shrieked.
"I thought maybe Ranko would be scared of it." Sasuke said hesitantly.
"Who wouldn't be?" Akane returned still backing away.
All the cats ran back and began climbing on the trio to get away from the tiger as it approached.
Akane glanced fearfully around trying to think of a way to escape when she heard Ranko start to meow. She looked over and Ranko's eyes were rolled back in her head as sweat poured down her face. Ranko fell forward onto her hands and meowed again. It was the kind of sound a cat makes when it's being threatened. The tiger wasn't quite sure what to make of the development and hesitated for a second. That one second was all it took.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kodachi walked through the gym ignoring the stares and whistles of the Furinkan basketball team. Sasuke had called and told her of his plan and she'd hurried over immediately. She would finally have her revenge for the humiliation she'd suffered at the hands of her beloved's sister. Granted, she hadn't seen Ranma since that first encounter but she had heard all the stories and rumors from her brother. She was quite sure that if she could prove her superiority over Ranko, then Ranma would come back from wherever he was hiding from his sister and the Tendo girl.
As she approached the stage the whole gym began to shake. People fell over and there were cries of 'earthquake'. Suddenly the trap door on the stage blew open and a stream of cats flew out of the opening. They began to rain down upon the startled people. Kodachi looked up just in time to be flattened by a large terrified tiger. It quickly got up and ran out of the gymnasium. Kodachi stood up and started to dust herself off when her danger sense flared. Ranko was flying straight at her emitting a horrible catlike howl. Kodachi threw a few gymnastic pins as she rolled to the side. Ranko swiped with a hand and the pins fell away in slices. Ranko hit the floor and turned and sprang at Kodachi again, shredding the wood floor as she leapt away.
Kodachi panicked and decided it was time to retreat. She pulled her ribbon and began to use it like a lion tamer's whip as she backed outside. Akane had climbed out of the remains of the trap door and stood to survey the damage Ranko had wrought. She had seen what Ranko's 'claws' did to the tiger and was afraid someone would get hurt while Ranko was in her cat state.
Kodachi bolted out of the gym and attempted to make a run for it. Ranko swiped at her flanks eliciting a cry of pain as four red lines appeared on the rear of Kodachi's right thigh. She dropped her ribbon and that seemed to distract Ranko allowing Kodachi to escape. Akane ran out to see Kodachi disappear over a house in the distance. Ranko was tangled up and batting at the red ribbon that had been left behind. She looked up at Akane a mewed playfully. Akane couldn't help but laugh at the way the ribbon was hanging off Ranko's ear and across one of her eyes.
Ranko hopped off to Akane, nearly tripping herself up in the ribbon. Akane tensed expecting an attack but Ranko merely rubbed herself against her thighs purring. She knocked Akane on her butt and settled down in her lap and started licking her hand and grooming her face.
By this time, most of the school had arrived to watch and there was much idle gossip about what was really going on.
Ranko looked up at Akane with a face full of love and contentment and licked her cheek before settling down and falling asleep, still purring on Akane's lap. Akane was stunned, as was the rest of the student body. No one knew what was happening but it was certain to be juicy regardless of how much was idle rumor or truth.
Nabiki attempted damage control while Akane waited for Ranko to wake up. She hoped Ranko would wake up back to normal. Finally the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. Nabiki shooed a few reluctant stragglers away before sitting down next to Akane.
"So what the hell happened?" Nabiki asked.
"Neko-ken." Akane said quietly.
"The Cat Fist? What is that? Some martial arts move?" Nabiki wondered.
Akane nodded and began to explain Ranko's training and then what had happened just a while ago.
"So Ranko has no memory of when she's like this?"
"I don't think so. She told me she blacks out when she can't escape a cat. Should we tell her?" Akane shifted a little to keep her legs from falling asleep.
"She has a right to know. And she hasn't seriously hurt anyone. It looks like we're going to miss our next class. Come on let's get her to the nurses office." Nabiki helped Akane to her feet while Akane cradled Ranko's quiet form.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko woke up with her senses on high alert. She could smell antiseptic and there was only the faint fading scent of cats. Her senses were always sharper after one of her 'blackouts'. Akane was sitting next to her and she could hear Nabiki breathing at the foot of the cot she was lying on.
Ranko opened her eyes, "So how long was I out?"
"About twenty minutes. What do you remember?" Nabiki answered.
"That stupid ninja tried to trap us, and then there were all those c-cats and the big t-t-tiger. Thanks for getting me out of there Akane."
"I didn't get us away from the cats Ranko. You did. Apparently you did learn the Neko-ken. When you black out, you become a cat. Not physically but." Akane tapped her forehead and went on to explain what had happened. She went on to describe what Ranko had done while she was 'cat'.
"Oh man! I could have hurt someone! Do you think I've done this every time I've blacked out?" Ranko looked worried.
"Probably. From what Akane said though, I doubt you'd ever harm anyone who didn't antagonize you. Just like a real cat. The way you curled up and fell asleep on Akane's lap was just sooo cute however." Nabiki teased.
Ranko turned red as her hair.
* * * * * * * * * *
Genma was livid. On a whim he had decided to sneak to his house in the hopes of re-supplying on food and money while Nodoka was out or at the least, find something to pawn. He arrived to find the house empty with a for sale sign in the front yard. After some quiet asking around the nearby marketplace he found out the truth. His wife was dead and his daughter had been named sole heir and head of the clan.
He swore softly as he read over the legal announcement in the local paper containing the information. There would apparently be an estate sale and he frowned realizing that most of the items listed were his. He knew that somehow this was that bitch Kimiko's fault. She had taken his perfectly trained, submissive daughter and turned her against him. Maybe it was time to start pulling out the big guns he mused. If Ranko wouldn't marry a Tendo and provide him with a nice retirement home then maybe that Kuonji boy Ranko had been betrothed to could be persuaded to fulfill his engagement. If nothing else it would disrupt Ranko's nice peaceful life and put her back in her place. He left his dingy one room apartment he'd been staying at to find a phone. He had fiancés to call.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Are you sure about this?" Ranko asked, hesitantly stepping onto the ice.
"It's easy. You can balance on a fence no wider than the blade on those skates so how hard can it be?" Akane smirked. She knew Ranko rarely backed down from a challenge.
"But it's cold water!" Ranko protested. "You know my luck with cold water."
"Not cold, frozen. If you can't handle it I guess we can go home." Akane pouted.
Ranko's eyes narrowed and she set her jaw. She could never deny Akane anything when she had that sad look on her face. She placed her second foot on the ice, and promptly fell flat on her back as her feet slipped out from under her.
"Ite! Akane, fences don't slide around."
To her credit, Ranko was a fast learner and she was soon able to keep up with Akane although she did have problems turning and stopping.
"You know Akane, this might actually be fun once I get the hang of it." Ranko smiled as she picked herself off the ice again.
Akane grinned back and helped her girlfriend up, "How about we take a break for a little bit. There's a kissaten over there and I want something to warm me up."
They left the ring and entered the small coffee shop connected to the skating rink. Almost immediately Ranko was bumped into and had a soda splashed on her. Sighing in mild frustration she vowed not to let it ruin her date and went to order some hot cocoa for her and Akane. That was when she heard a high pitched squeal. Turning she saw P-chan struggling to get out of the arms of a kawaii little girl with blond hair and a aura that gave tooth decay in a ten foot radius.
"Hey you! What are you doing with my P-chan!?" Ranko yelled approaching the smaller girl.
"This is Azusa's Charlotte. We been together for a long time. You no have Charlotte." The girl said in a cutesy baby voice. Ranko shuddered but stopped for a second. What did she really know about Ryouga or P-chan for that matter.
"You wouldn't happen to be Ryouga's girlfriend would you?" Ranko probed.
Azusa looked at Ranko and her eyes took on a strange gleam that made Ranko want to run for the hills and hide in a cave, preferably with a large boulder with Shinto wards sealing the entrance.
"Azusa no know Ryouga but you can be Azusa's boyfriend!" She cried happily.
"Gah! I mean, no thanks I'm already engaged. I just want my pig back." Ranko replied feeling that if she didn't wrap this up soon something bad would happen.
"No! Charlotte belong to Azusa! Mine! Mine! Mine!" The small girl proclaimed.
Ranko was losing her patience. Quickly her hands darted out and snagged the small pig which clung gratefully to his chest. Azusa began to wail loudly and she searched about for something to hit Ranko with. That's when Mikado Sanzenin decided to make his appearance.
"Who dares make Azusa Shiratori cry!? For that you shall be punished." Mikado declared marching up to Ranko.
Akane who had been watching quietly the whole time decided to finally get involved. She didn't know why but she didn't like that black piglet. Something about it bothered her. It could be because of it's connection to Ryouga who she saw as a potential threat to her relationship. Maybe it was something deeper, regardless she had let Ranko try to handle it on her own until the loud boy had shown up with the intent of hurting Ranko.
"Excuse me but my boyfriend was just trying to get my pet pig back from this thief." Akane explained as she came between Ranko and Mikado.
Mikado Sanzenin came to a stop and examined the beautiful young woman before him. He knew right then what to do. Make up for his behavior and get back at the rude man who offended his partner at the same time.
"Ah, I do apologize. My partner has the tendancy to take cute things give them silly french names and add them to her personal collection."
"Isn't that stealing?" Hiroshi asked Ranko. He had been sitting in a booth with Daisuke when Akane and Ranko had come in. He was still curious as to where Ranko had gone to and where Ranma had appeared from.
Ranko just nodded as she was trying to figure out exactly what Mikado had up his sleeve.
"Let me make ammends." Mikado began, "I know. A kiss of apology to the young lady." He moved in quickly, bringing his lips towards Akane's before stopping suddenly.
Akane blinked. There was a fist imbedded in Mikado's cheek and it looked quite uncomfortable from Akane's perspective.
"Sorry, I can't let you kiss Akane. She's already taken." Ranko growled.
Mikado straightened up, his jaw and cheekbone already turning into an awful bruise, "Fine, a challenge it is then. One week from today at this rink, pairs figure skating."
Azusa hopped up, "Winner gets Charlotte!"
Ranko shrugged, "Whatever. But no matter what the pig's mine. It was mine before, why should I put it up in a stupid contest when it's still mine."
Mikado smirked, "I knew you had no honor."
Ranko began to turn red, "Honor? You don't know the first thing about honor! You are just like my father, twisting honor to suit your own ends. You try to use false apology to kiss my fiance knowing she's involved with someone else. Then when I defend her honor from you, you pretend insult just to start a fight. Well, I'll fight you and I'll kick your ass. Maybe by making an example of you people will learn not to mess with a Saotome!" Ranko turned and taking Akane's arm the two left the Rink. Neither one of them felt like finishing the date that had started so well.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ukyou Kuonji read the postcard one more time before putting it down. Ukyou's father had received an anonymous phone call giving the current residence of one Ranma Saotome and had sent a postcard to Ukyou a soon as possible.
Ukyou assumed an angry smile that looked out of place on the bishounen face, "Soon, very soon I will have my revenge!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"No I'm sorry, there is no Genma on the Saotome Register. Yes I realize he made a contract to engage your son to Ranko Saotome. No he didn't have the authority to do so. I'm sorry. Yes we're looking for him too. Yes, yes, goodbye." Nabiki hung the phone up and gave a tired sigh. Ranko looked at her with worried eyes.
"That's the tenth call today. How many times did your father engage you to someone?" Akane asked.
"I-I had no idea. Why is this happening now so suddenly?" Ranko wrung her hands in silent frustration.
"It's simple. He's being petty. He refuses to accept that he lost control of you and this is his lame attempt to get back at you." Nabiki growled, "I'll continue to hold them off whenever they call and just be ready to change genders if any stop by. Legally, none of these people have a leg to stand on so far, just Genma's word of contract. Removing him from the Clan register took away any dishonor he would have brought to your clan. Finding him and making him answer for his crimes should be put on a high priority soon though or you may have to start making reparations."
Nabiki left to get a snack leaving Akane and Ranko alone. Akane was worried, things had been going so well lately. Ranko was answering a challenge, a real challenge from a boy yet! Her confidence had never seemed higher. That was until the scary man with the big ears showed up looking for his son-in-law. Thankfully Ranko was in her girl form at the moment or she might have ended up with an unwanted fiance. When it was obvious Ranko couldn't marry the man's daughter he left angrily saying the Saotome clan would pay for this slight of honor. Nabiki and Ranko immediately filed the paperwork to remove Genma from the clan registry right after that. A day later the calls started. The first few were from fiances looking for either Ranko or Ranma. Soon there were calls from food vendors and restaurant owners looking to collect on IOU's left by Genma during the course of Ranko's training. Some were small enough that Ranko simply paid them off. A few were dissuaded by the fact Genma was not a Saotome any longer but a couple were holding out, talking about lawsuits. Ranko left things in Nabiki's capable hands and paid her a hefty consultation fee, more than Nabiki quoted in fact.
Ranko was angry, depressed, and scared. She was only sixteen and the head and sole survivor of her whole clan. She was so unnerved by the whole situation she couldn't concentrate easily on her skating training. Worse was the fact she had to skate as a guy and was still getting used the new body.
Akane put a hand on Ranko's shoulder and pulled her into a supporting hug, "Don't worry, things will all work out. Let's just concentrate on the here and now. Tomorrow will come soon enough."
Ranko nodded, "Do you think I can sleep in your room tonight? I don't want to be alone."
"I don't have a problem with that, as long as you two behave yourselves." Kimiko said coming into the hallway.
Both girls blushed, "Of course mom." Akane said, "We're still following your advice and we haven't done more than kissed since that night."
Kimiko just nodded and went to fix dinner.
Later, Ranko sat in the dojo staring at the katana in front of her. She had started out trying to meditate but events of the last couple of days kept interrupting her train of thought. She contemplated the sword. Her father had taught her many weapon styles over the years, if nothing else than to be able to understand the weakness of the forms. He had been an excellent teacher if not a good father. Ranko was puzzled though, in all her training she had never learned the katana. He had never even mentioned it in their training sessions. Something about it bothered her. Why not the most basic of all Japanese weapons?
Thinking back, Ranko remembered the photos of her mother she saved from the house. The sword was in almost every one. Was that her mother's chosen style? She wished she could remember more of her childhood before her trip. Her mother had to have been a martial artist. They were descended from Samurai the letter had said. That means there must have been a family style, one that focused on the katana. So why had Genma not taught her? Maybe she could find out when she confronted the man. She was determined to track him down and force him to take responsibility for his dishonorable actions after the skating match. She was so focused on the blade in front of her she didn't notice when Kimiko entered the dojo.
"Ranko, it's time for dinner." She said gently.
"Huh? Oh, sure Auntie, I'll be right there." Ranko replied.
Kimiko turned to leave when an idea struck Ranko.
"Um, Auntie? Can I ask you something?" Ranko began hesitantly.
"Of course dear."
Ranko turned and bowed formally with her katana held out before her, "Would you please train me in the use of my family sword?"
Kimiko smiled, Ranko was serious to be so formal, "I would be honored to train the head of the Saotome clan in the art of the Samurai."
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko and Akane had just barely made it to class on time. It had begun to rain and Ranko didn't have a chance to find any hot water so they decided 'Ranma' would be attending class for Ranko today.
Ranko sat down and sighed, he was getting to the point that he didn't really mind the curse as much as he used to, especially with Akane's support. They'd even gone out on a date while he was in guy form and made out in the back of the theater during the movie. What bothered him was the lack of control he had over his life because of his uncertain gender. Once again he cursed his father and got out his books for the day's lecture. That was when he realized the grill and the guy standing behind it. He looked kind of familiar and Ranko's mind worked overtime trying to place the face with a name.
The problem was solved when the teacher introduced the student, "Class, I'd like you to welcome our new student, Ukyou Kuonji. He's an okinamiyaki chef from Osaka."
Ranko's brow furrowed then his face lit up in surprise, "Ucchan! Akane, that's my best friend Ucchan from when we were kids."
Ukyou was surprised. The was hardly the reaction expected. Spatula's flew across the grill with practiced ease. The quickly finished okinamiyaki flew out towards Ranko who caught in one handed and ate it quickly as only a Saotome could.
"Yup, That's Ucchan's okinamiyaki all right. She was the best okinamiyaki chef in all of Japan. Why she'd make me..." Ranko trailed off suddenly all the color draining from his face. "Oh no. Ukyou, you didn't go to Jusenkyou did you?"
"What? I don't know what you're talking about! I'm here for revenge Saotome! I've been through hell since you abandoned me!" The chef cried out pulling throwing spatulas from the bandoleer.
Ranko dodged the thrown blades with ease. Something was definitely wrong, Ukyou was his best friend. Somehow Ranko knew her father was to blame for this.
"Calm down Ucchan, let's talk about this."
"The time for talking passed when you and your father abandoned me!"
Ranko leapt for the door hoping Ukyou would follow. He needed to find some hot water and calm Ukyou down enough to find out exactly what her father had done to her friend.
They eventually made their way to the field outside the school. Ukyou was slashing with her large spatula while Ranko deftly avoided her swipes. "Damn it Ucchan let's talk about this! Why are you attacking me?"
"Stand still... eh... and take... huf... your punishment!" Ukyou was beginning to wear out, not surprising considering the weight of the weapon she was holding.
"What did my father do to you Ucchan?" Ranko caught the weapon and held it immobile.
"Argh! Let go and stop calling me Ucchan! You lost that right when you and your father ran out in the night and left me behind!"
"We were supposed to take you with us? Why?" Ranko asked confused.
"If you didn't want to get married to me then why did you say we could be together forever?" Ukyou wrenched her spatula from Ranko's grasp and narrowed her eyes at the currently black haired boy.
"Ukyou, we were six, that's the kind of things kids say... wait a minute, did you say married? We couldn't get married, we're both girls." Ranko said quickly.
A few students who had gathered to watch the fight started whispering furiously to each other at 'Ranma's' proclamation of womanhood. Akane who had managed to catch up to her significant other groaned at Ranko's slip of the tongue.
Ukyou's eyes widened in shock. She looked at Ranko again, now that she knew what to look for she realized Ranko held himself all wrong. She had been pretending to be a boy for ten years after all and knew the tell-tell signs of someone pretending to be the opposite gender. Ranko held her hips and shoulders as if she were used to a different figure. Her speech had been more feminine although it was still rough from being raised by Genma for all those years. Something told Ukyou that Ranko was telling the truth. She suddenly lashed out with her spatula ripping Ranko's shirt open to reveal a very tight tank top, it might have been a sports bra if Ranko had been a girl which Ukyou could see she wasn't.
"Liar!" Ukyou screamed, "I'll never forgive you Ranma! Because of you I lost my womanhood!" That comment of course brought up even more whispers from the gathering students. Ukyou renewed her attacks on Ranko with even more ferocity than before.
Ranko knew it was getting to crowded and she would have to show Ukyou proof to snap her out of her rage anyway. "All right. I'll prove it Ukyou. Follow me!" He took off running.
"Come back here and let me kill you like a man!" Ukyou ran off after Ranko.
Ranko had ran back into the now deserted school and headed straight for the girl's shower room. Ukyou was not far behind from the sounds of destruction. Ranko ran into the showers and turned the water on, quickly adjusting the water temperature. She felt the change come over her as Ukyou bashed in the door and stalked towards the wet redhead. Ukyou looked around, "Where are you Ranma? You can't hide from me!"
"I'm right here Ukyou, and it's Ranko not Ranma." the short girl said miserably.
Ukyou looked the girl over, there was a certain resemblance and the clothes were the same. Even the shirt was ripped the same way although the sports bra underneath was now fulfilling it's primary function.
"S-Saotome? Is it really you?" Ukyou asked disbelieving.
"Yeah, it's me. Can we sit down and talk now?"
* * * * * * * * * *
"And that's how I got cursed." Ranko finished her tale to Ukyou. Akane had come in halfway through and had sat protectively near Ranko. She supplied information and expanded when she felt Ranko wasn't being thorough enough.
Ukyou grabbed a bucket of cold water from nearby and poured it over Ranko, she then repeated the action with the hot water.
"So what are you? A boy or a girl?" Ukyou demanded, a little of her anger returning.
"I was born a girl. I think and feel like a girl even when I'm in a boy's body. I'm sorry my father did this to you Ukyou. Not that it helps you feel any better but you're not the first one he's engaged me to. Heck, the reason I was cursed was so he could marry me to Akane here." Ranko said sadly.
The anger left Ukyou with a sigh, "Ten years... ten years I've trained and trained. Forsaking my femininity and focusing on avenging myself on the two people who abandoned me only to find out the guy I fell in love with wasn't a guy at all." She bowed her head and shook it sadly.
"I'm sorry, father always made me dress as a boy. I can see how you could make that kind of mistake as a kid. I thought you were a boy at first until I overheard you and your father talking. I know it's not much but could we be friends again? I don't have many and with my father gone I have no family left."
"Your mother?" Ukyou asked.
"Dead."
"I'm sorry. Of course I'll be your friend. It'll be just like the old days eh Ran-chan?" Ukyou broke into a smile.
"Thanks Ucchan. Besides, I'm sure you want to be around to help me make my father face up to his past responsibilities."
Ukyou's smile took on a mean edge, "You got that right sugar."
* * * * * * * * * *
"That's great! You're doing much better today." Akane clapped happily.
Ranko was moving about the ice slowly but steadily, none of the shakiness from her first day was apparent. Ukyou skated up behind her dressed in boy's clothes still.
"You say you've never skated before last week?" Ukyou asked astonished.
Ranko nodded, "This is my third time on the ice. I'm feeling pretty good today. It's nice to finally do something that doesn't automatically involve martial arts. Although I would rather skate in my girl form."
Akane shook her head, "You need to get used to that body for the day after tomorrow. I know how much you want to beat that jerk. I wouldn't mind seeing him or his overly cutesy partner roughed up myself." She cracked her knuckles for effect.
"You're such a tomboy Akane." Ranko teased, "But you're my tomboy." He skated over and kissed her on the lips quickly before she could react to the tomboy crack.
"Like you're one to call anyone a tomboy." Akane wrapped her arms around Ranko and gave him a quick hug and a peck on the nose.
Ukyou lost her footing and landed on her backside. She had felt there was something different about Ranko and Akane's friendship but she hadn't expected that.
Ranko realized Ukyou was staring and blushed, quickly releasing Akane he turned to help his childhood friend up.
Ukyou took the hand hesitantly, "Uh, Ran-chan, is there something you're not telling me?"
Blushing even more Ranko stammered out a reply, "Well, you see, that is... it's kinda complicated. Akane and I kinda have this thing but otherwise I'm not interested in women. So don't think I'm gonna hit on you or anything." She finished quickly.
"Maybe you can explain it later. Trouble's coming." Ukyou replied.
Indeed, Mikado Sanzenin and his partner were on the ice and heading in their direction. Azusa was wearing a cute frilly skating leotard and Ranko wondered briefly if she shopped at the same place Kodachi Kuno did.
"So I see you are attempting to train for our match this Sunday. Futile I assure you for we are the undefeated Golden Pair, martial arts skaters extraordinaire. Now clear the rink, it is time for our practice." Sanzenin proclaimed.
"This is martial arts skating? Oh hell, Akane, if it has martial arts in it we can't lose!" Ranko said as Ukyou led her towards the edge of the rink.
Akane nodded slowly, not as confident as Ranko appeared. She was more interested in why there were about a hundred guys pouring out onto the ice wearing hockey gear. They slowly surrounded the Golden Pair while one stood off to the side with a stop watch.
"And now for the assault of a hundred foes!" Mikado announced loudly.
Ukyou watched dumbfounded as all one hundred hockey players swarmed the skating duo. Her jaw dropped slightly as she realized they were actually beating the mob attacking them. That's when she noticed the looks of indifference and boredom on Ranko and Akane's faces.
"Nine point six seconds!" The goalie with the stopwatch proclaimed as the last antagonist fell.
"Hmmph, two point four seconds slower than your best time against the Furinkan Hentai Squad Akane." Ranko observed.
"What are they trying to prove anyway? None of those hockey players were martial artists." Akane snorted.
Ukyou collected herself enough to avoid looking like an idiot.
"Are you trying to make us look foolish?" Mikado snorted skating up to the trio.
"Nah, you're doing a fine enough job without my help." Ranko responded.
Sanzenin flipped a stray lock of hair out of his eyes, sure that the gesture would make him look dashing, "I see you are quite free with your tongue. How about a slight wager to increase the stakes?"
Ranko held back a bitter comment to see what the tall skater had in mind, "You can't have Akane."
"No need to fear. I already plan to steal her lips during our match." He smirked, "I have heard you have a sister. If I win, she goes out on a date with me."
Ranko blanched at the thought of dating the walking ego but an idea occurred to him, "All right, but if I win, you must publicly apologize to me and my fiancé as well as every single woman you've ever kissed. Otherwise no deal."
Mikado frowned for a moment, "Very well Saotome, we will meet on the ice in two days. I expect your sister to be ready by eight that night, and don't expect her home anytime soon." He grinned perversely.
Ranko shuddered as Mikodo and Asuza left the rink.
"Why did you do that Ranko?" Akane asked angrily.
Ranko held her hands and looked into her eyes, "It was something I felt had to be done in the name of all women out there who have been degraded because of people like him. Don't worry, we have this contest in the bag."
"I hope so Ranko, I hope so."
* * * * * * * * * *
End Chapter Six
Ranko walked with Akane to school with a pleasant smile on her face. She had decided on a dark green shirt and her black silk pants for school today. Of course the school had told her to wear a uniform after her first day to which she produced a note from Dr. Tofu excusing her from having to. This of course led to jealousy and envy among the other students. Only Akane's friends Yuka and Sayuri seemed to want to have anything to do with her. Hiroshi and Daisuke, two boys in her class, kept trying to ask her out but they couldn't really be considered friends.
"What are smiling about?" Akane smiled back as if it were contagious.
"Oh, I'm starting to feel at peace with myself. After ten years of hell I've finally found the exit. It's not heaven but I can live with it." Ranko replied.
Akane couldn't help but feel proud of her own part in helping Ranko recover, "I'm happy for you Ranko. Do you really think they'll allow you into the school with that sword though?" Akane pointed to the Saotome blade strapped to Ranko's back.
Ranko shrugged, "They'll let Kuno in with his."
"But Kuno's dad is the principal." Akane countered.
"Speaking of Kuno, I know you usually fight him every morning but can I try this once?" Ranko asked with big puppy dog eyes.
"Well... if you think you're up for it...All right. Be my guest." Akane gave in.
Ranko jumped up and down excitedly then assumed a serious expression, "Thou hast besmirched the honor of Tendo Akane for the last time foul sorcerer Kuno!" She broke down giggling.
Akane joined in after a second. She loved it when Ranko let her true self show from under all the pain and fear she usually displayed. She hoped that the stability of family, friends, and a home would help show that true self more often.
"Oh save me Ranko! Kuno has cast a spell to make me lose his challenge. If he defeats me I will be lost forever!" Akane joked.
Giggling, the girls continued on towards the school. The daily fights had stopped but Kuno remained. His stubborn persistence was matched only by the school's ability to overlook the behavior of the principal's oldest son.
Akane and Ranko ran through the gates and sure enough Kuno was blocking their path to the school building.
"Ahh, the beautiful Akane Tendo, Ranko Saotome. Again we meet as if by fate upon these very school grounds."
"Duh Kuno, we all go to school here. So what do you want? As if we didn't already know. Geez, this is getting old." Akane sighed.
"Your words wound me fair one. Surely this is the work of enchantments laid upon you by the foul Ranma Saotome. The gall of him to force himself upon you and not have the courage to face me in fair combat." Kuno soliloquized.
Akane smirked and nodded to Ranko, "I'm sorry Kuno but I have a stand in for our normal morning fight. Ranko, whenever you're ready."
Kuno seemed ecstatic, "The wild Ranko wishes to spar? Surely this is a sign that she has fallen for my manly charms!"
"Nah, I just have some new moves and you make a good practice dummy." Ranko snorted.
Kuno readied himself, "Surely that is your brother's influence. I shall forgive your rude upbringing if you date me."
"Date this!" Ranko shot out with a snap kick that Kuno easily blocked with his boken.
Ranko was starting out lightly as was Kuno. Ranko's reason was she wanted to get used to the feeling of fighting the macho jerk. Kuno was holding back to keep from hurting the girl who would most likely not take being hit very well.
Akane watched with an amused smirk. Compared to how Ranko and Ryouga sparred yesterday this was nothing to Ranko. This would do much to raise her self confidence. Ranko had been right though, Kuno made a good practice dummy. He was inexpensive, he didn't break as easily, and he fought back. She wondered briefly if her sister could somehow make some money off that concept. The 'Kuno martial arts dummy', available in specialty stores this Christmas. Akane snickered.
Ranko danced around the schoolyard gracefully using her family's aerial combat skills to avoid Kuno's half hearted strikes. After a couple of minutes, she kicked the boken from Kuno's hand and leapt back into a waiting stance. Kuno realized he was disarmed and did the unexpected, he straightened up and bowed respectfully. Ranko surprised, did the same.
Kuno picked up his boken, "Tomorrow then my fiery tempest?" he asked.
"H-hai, Sure thing Kuno." Ranko replied confused.
Akane walked over as Kuno went inside, "What was that all about?"
"I haven't a clue. Maybe he's finally taking his medication." Ranko joked.
With no answers forthcoming, the two girls went indoors.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was lunchtime and Ranko and Akane went to their shoe lockers to go outside for lunch. Ranko opened her locker door and found a note sitting on her black shoes. Opening it, she read through it quickly and frowned.
Ranko, Please help me! I've been kidnapped by bad men and am being held in the school gymnasium! Come save me!
Ranma.
She looked over at Akane, "Hey, Ranma isn't really a real person is he?"
Akane looked puzzled as Ranko handed her the note. She read it and laughed, "Sounds like something Kuno might pull."
A few minutes later the two were walking into the gym. The lights were off except near the stage where it appeared someone was tied up.
"Why are we doing this? We both know 'Ranma' is not kidnapped." Akane asked.
"I'm just curious as to what's going on. I don't like the idea of someone trying to trick me."
The figure on the stage began to thrash about, "Ranko, save me! Help! Untie me quickly!"
Ranko and Akane jumped up to the stage. A short slightly pudgy man wearing a cheap knockoff of the red Chinese clothes Ranko usually wore and a black wig with a pigtail sat in the middle of a spotlight.
"Who the hell are you and what do you think you're doing?" Ranko demanded.
The little man jumped up, the ropes falling away, "Haha! I have tricked you with my clever disguise! Truly, I Sasuke, loyal retainer of the house of Kuno am a master of the arts of deception."
"Self deception maybe." Akane acknowledged, "What are you doing impersonating Ranma?"
"Forgive me Miss Tendo, Miss Saotome, but my mistress has commanded this of me." He leapt up and grabbed a rope. A trap door opened under him and he fell into the storage room under the stage.
"Mistress? You mean Kodachi? Hey! I'm not done talking to you!" Ranko growled and leapt down after him. Akane groaned in frustration and followed the impulsive girl.
Ranko was shaking the small man back and forth, "Come on damn it talk! What's Kodachi up to?"
"S-s-s-he c-c-c-oman-d-d-ed-d m-m-e t-t-t-o f-f-f-f-i-n-d y-y-o-ur w-w-ea-k- k-n-ness-s!" Sasuke said woozily.
"What weakness? I don't have any weaknesses!" Ranko said.
Akane landed behind her. Her foot stepped on something soft and it let out a screech. Ranko instantly tensed up.
Looking around for the first time, Ranko noticed many glowing spots in the darkness as at least a hundred eyes watched her from the darkness. Akane fumbled around and finally found a lightswitch. Ranko gasped in shock as the room flooded with light revealing at least fifty cats.
"W-what's all this?" Ranko said calmly as she could.
"I overheard you and miss Akane talking about your fear of cats. Kodachi asked me to verify it for her. I am sorry." Sasuke bowed his head.
"Afraid of cats! Hahahaha! How absurd! Why would I be afraid of something like that?" Ranko said, eyes wide and laughing maniacally.
"Ranko? Are you ok?" Akane asked. She tried to put her hand on Ranko's shoulder but she pulled away.
"You're not even a little afraid?" Sasuke threw some fish sausage on her. The cats started to congregate, some trying to climb her legs, "How about now?"
Ranko's laughter became unnerving, "Who'd be afraid of a few c-c-cats?"
Akane was becoming scared of Ranko's behavior, "Come on Ranko, let's get out of here." She led Ranko by the hand to the door leading back to the gym.
"I wouldn't open that!" Sasuke warned.
"Who asked you!" Akane growled back flinging the door wide open. She turned and walked into something large and furry. She backed up a little and looked up at the large tiger that had been on the other side of the door. "What the hell is that doing here?" Akane shrieked.
"I thought maybe Ranko would be scared of it." Sasuke said hesitantly.
"Who wouldn't be?" Akane returned still backing away.
All the cats ran back and began climbing on the trio to get away from the tiger as it approached.
Akane glanced fearfully around trying to think of a way to escape when she heard Ranko start to meow. She looked over and Ranko's eyes were rolled back in her head as sweat poured down her face. Ranko fell forward onto her hands and meowed again. It was the kind of sound a cat makes when it's being threatened. The tiger wasn't quite sure what to make of the development and hesitated for a second. That one second was all it took.
* * * * * * * * * *
Kodachi walked through the gym ignoring the stares and whistles of the Furinkan basketball team. Sasuke had called and told her of his plan and she'd hurried over immediately. She would finally have her revenge for the humiliation she'd suffered at the hands of her beloved's sister. Granted, she hadn't seen Ranma since that first encounter but she had heard all the stories and rumors from her brother. She was quite sure that if she could prove her superiority over Ranko, then Ranma would come back from wherever he was hiding from his sister and the Tendo girl.
As she approached the stage the whole gym began to shake. People fell over and there were cries of 'earthquake'. Suddenly the trap door on the stage blew open and a stream of cats flew out of the opening. They began to rain down upon the startled people. Kodachi looked up just in time to be flattened by a large terrified tiger. It quickly got up and ran out of the gymnasium. Kodachi stood up and started to dust herself off when her danger sense flared. Ranko was flying straight at her emitting a horrible catlike howl. Kodachi threw a few gymnastic pins as she rolled to the side. Ranko swiped with a hand and the pins fell away in slices. Ranko hit the floor and turned and sprang at Kodachi again, shredding the wood floor as she leapt away.
Kodachi panicked and decided it was time to retreat. She pulled her ribbon and began to use it like a lion tamer's whip as she backed outside. Akane had climbed out of the remains of the trap door and stood to survey the damage Ranko had wrought. She had seen what Ranko's 'claws' did to the tiger and was afraid someone would get hurt while Ranko was in her cat state.
Kodachi bolted out of the gym and attempted to make a run for it. Ranko swiped at her flanks eliciting a cry of pain as four red lines appeared on the rear of Kodachi's right thigh. She dropped her ribbon and that seemed to distract Ranko allowing Kodachi to escape. Akane ran out to see Kodachi disappear over a house in the distance. Ranko was tangled up and batting at the red ribbon that had been left behind. She looked up at Akane a mewed playfully. Akane couldn't help but laugh at the way the ribbon was hanging off Ranko's ear and across one of her eyes.
Ranko hopped off to Akane, nearly tripping herself up in the ribbon. Akane tensed expecting an attack but Ranko merely rubbed herself against her thighs purring. She knocked Akane on her butt and settled down in her lap and started licking her hand and grooming her face.
By this time, most of the school had arrived to watch and there was much idle gossip about what was really going on.
Ranko looked up at Akane with a face full of love and contentment and licked her cheek before settling down and falling asleep, still purring on Akane's lap. Akane was stunned, as was the rest of the student body. No one knew what was happening but it was certain to be juicy regardless of how much was idle rumor or truth.
Nabiki attempted damage control while Akane waited for Ranko to wake up. She hoped Ranko would wake up back to normal. Finally the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. Nabiki shooed a few reluctant stragglers away before sitting down next to Akane.
"So what the hell happened?" Nabiki asked.
"Neko-ken." Akane said quietly.
"The Cat Fist? What is that? Some martial arts move?" Nabiki wondered.
Akane nodded and began to explain Ranko's training and then what had happened just a while ago.
"So Ranko has no memory of when she's like this?"
"I don't think so. She told me she blacks out when she can't escape a cat. Should we tell her?" Akane shifted a little to keep her legs from falling asleep.
"She has a right to know. And she hasn't seriously hurt anyone. It looks like we're going to miss our next class. Come on let's get her to the nurses office." Nabiki helped Akane to her feet while Akane cradled Ranko's quiet form.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko woke up with her senses on high alert. She could smell antiseptic and there was only the faint fading scent of cats. Her senses were always sharper after one of her 'blackouts'. Akane was sitting next to her and she could hear Nabiki breathing at the foot of the cot she was lying on.
Ranko opened her eyes, "So how long was I out?"
"About twenty minutes. What do you remember?" Nabiki answered.
"That stupid ninja tried to trap us, and then there were all those c-cats and the big t-t-tiger. Thanks for getting me out of there Akane."
"I didn't get us away from the cats Ranko. You did. Apparently you did learn the Neko-ken. When you black out, you become a cat. Not physically but." Akane tapped her forehead and went on to explain what had happened. She went on to describe what Ranko had done while she was 'cat'.
"Oh man! I could have hurt someone! Do you think I've done this every time I've blacked out?" Ranko looked worried.
"Probably. From what Akane said though, I doubt you'd ever harm anyone who didn't antagonize you. Just like a real cat. The way you curled up and fell asleep on Akane's lap was just sooo cute however." Nabiki teased.
Ranko turned red as her hair.
* * * * * * * * * *
Genma was livid. On a whim he had decided to sneak to his house in the hopes of re-supplying on food and money while Nodoka was out or at the least, find something to pawn. He arrived to find the house empty with a for sale sign in the front yard. After some quiet asking around the nearby marketplace he found out the truth. His wife was dead and his daughter had been named sole heir and head of the clan.
He swore softly as he read over the legal announcement in the local paper containing the information. There would apparently be an estate sale and he frowned realizing that most of the items listed were his. He knew that somehow this was that bitch Kimiko's fault. She had taken his perfectly trained, submissive daughter and turned her against him. Maybe it was time to start pulling out the big guns he mused. If Ranko wouldn't marry a Tendo and provide him with a nice retirement home then maybe that Kuonji boy Ranko had been betrothed to could be persuaded to fulfill his engagement. If nothing else it would disrupt Ranko's nice peaceful life and put her back in her place. He left his dingy one room apartment he'd been staying at to find a phone. He had fiancés to call.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Are you sure about this?" Ranko asked, hesitantly stepping onto the ice.
"It's easy. You can balance on a fence no wider than the blade on those skates so how hard can it be?" Akane smirked. She knew Ranko rarely backed down from a challenge.
"But it's cold water!" Ranko protested. "You know my luck with cold water."
"Not cold, frozen. If you can't handle it I guess we can go home." Akane pouted.
Ranko's eyes narrowed and she set her jaw. She could never deny Akane anything when she had that sad look on her face. She placed her second foot on the ice, and promptly fell flat on her back as her feet slipped out from under her.
"Ite! Akane, fences don't slide around."
To her credit, Ranko was a fast learner and she was soon able to keep up with Akane although she did have problems turning and stopping.
"You know Akane, this might actually be fun once I get the hang of it." Ranko smiled as she picked herself off the ice again.
Akane grinned back and helped her girlfriend up, "How about we take a break for a little bit. There's a kissaten over there and I want something to warm me up."
They left the ring and entered the small coffee shop connected to the skating rink. Almost immediately Ranko was bumped into and had a soda splashed on her. Sighing in mild frustration she vowed not to let it ruin her date and went to order some hot cocoa for her and Akane. That was when she heard a high pitched squeal. Turning she saw P-chan struggling to get out of the arms of a kawaii little girl with blond hair and a aura that gave tooth decay in a ten foot radius.
"Hey you! What are you doing with my P-chan!?" Ranko yelled approaching the smaller girl.
"This is Azusa's Charlotte. We been together for a long time. You no have Charlotte." The girl said in a cutesy baby voice. Ranko shuddered but stopped for a second. What did she really know about Ryouga or P-chan for that matter.
"You wouldn't happen to be Ryouga's girlfriend would you?" Ranko probed.
Azusa looked at Ranko and her eyes took on a strange gleam that made Ranko want to run for the hills and hide in a cave, preferably with a large boulder with Shinto wards sealing the entrance.
"Azusa no know Ryouga but you can be Azusa's boyfriend!" She cried happily.
"Gah! I mean, no thanks I'm already engaged. I just want my pig back." Ranko replied feeling that if she didn't wrap this up soon something bad would happen.
"No! Charlotte belong to Azusa! Mine! Mine! Mine!" The small girl proclaimed.
Ranko was losing her patience. Quickly her hands darted out and snagged the small pig which clung gratefully to his chest. Azusa began to wail loudly and she searched about for something to hit Ranko with. That's when Mikado Sanzenin decided to make his appearance.
"Who dares make Azusa Shiratori cry!? For that you shall be punished." Mikado declared marching up to Ranko.
Akane who had been watching quietly the whole time decided to finally get involved. She didn't know why but she didn't like that black piglet. Something about it bothered her. It could be because of it's connection to Ryouga who she saw as a potential threat to her relationship. Maybe it was something deeper, regardless she had let Ranko try to handle it on her own until the loud boy had shown up with the intent of hurting Ranko.
"Excuse me but my boyfriend was just trying to get my pet pig back from this thief." Akane explained as she came between Ranko and Mikado.
Mikado Sanzenin came to a stop and examined the beautiful young woman before him. He knew right then what to do. Make up for his behavior and get back at the rude man who offended his partner at the same time.
"Ah, I do apologize. My partner has the tendancy to take cute things give them silly french names and add them to her personal collection."
"Isn't that stealing?" Hiroshi asked Ranko. He had been sitting in a booth with Daisuke when Akane and Ranko had come in. He was still curious as to where Ranko had gone to and where Ranma had appeared from.
Ranko just nodded as she was trying to figure out exactly what Mikado had up his sleeve.
"Let me make ammends." Mikado began, "I know. A kiss of apology to the young lady." He moved in quickly, bringing his lips towards Akane's before stopping suddenly.
Akane blinked. There was a fist imbedded in Mikado's cheek and it looked quite uncomfortable from Akane's perspective.
"Sorry, I can't let you kiss Akane. She's already taken." Ranko growled.
Mikado straightened up, his jaw and cheekbone already turning into an awful bruise, "Fine, a challenge it is then. One week from today at this rink, pairs figure skating."
Azusa hopped up, "Winner gets Charlotte!"
Ranko shrugged, "Whatever. But no matter what the pig's mine. It was mine before, why should I put it up in a stupid contest when it's still mine."
Mikado smirked, "I knew you had no honor."
Ranko began to turn red, "Honor? You don't know the first thing about honor! You are just like my father, twisting honor to suit your own ends. You try to use false apology to kiss my fiance knowing she's involved with someone else. Then when I defend her honor from you, you pretend insult just to start a fight. Well, I'll fight you and I'll kick your ass. Maybe by making an example of you people will learn not to mess with a Saotome!" Ranko turned and taking Akane's arm the two left the Rink. Neither one of them felt like finishing the date that had started so well.
* * * * * * * * * *
Ukyou Kuonji read the postcard one more time before putting it down. Ukyou's father had received an anonymous phone call giving the current residence of one Ranma Saotome and had sent a postcard to Ukyou a soon as possible.
Ukyou assumed an angry smile that looked out of place on the bishounen face, "Soon, very soon I will have my revenge!"
* * * * * * * * * *
"No I'm sorry, there is no Genma on the Saotome Register. Yes I realize he made a contract to engage your son to Ranko Saotome. No he didn't have the authority to do so. I'm sorry. Yes we're looking for him too. Yes, yes, goodbye." Nabiki hung the phone up and gave a tired sigh. Ranko looked at her with worried eyes.
"That's the tenth call today. How many times did your father engage you to someone?" Akane asked.
"I-I had no idea. Why is this happening now so suddenly?" Ranko wrung her hands in silent frustration.
"It's simple. He's being petty. He refuses to accept that he lost control of you and this is his lame attempt to get back at you." Nabiki growled, "I'll continue to hold them off whenever they call and just be ready to change genders if any stop by. Legally, none of these people have a leg to stand on so far, just Genma's word of contract. Removing him from the Clan register took away any dishonor he would have brought to your clan. Finding him and making him answer for his crimes should be put on a high priority soon though or you may have to start making reparations."
Nabiki left to get a snack leaving Akane and Ranko alone. Akane was worried, things had been going so well lately. Ranko was answering a challenge, a real challenge from a boy yet! Her confidence had never seemed higher. That was until the scary man with the big ears showed up looking for his son-in-law. Thankfully Ranko was in her girl form at the moment or she might have ended up with an unwanted fiance. When it was obvious Ranko couldn't marry the man's daughter he left angrily saying the Saotome clan would pay for this slight of honor. Nabiki and Ranko immediately filed the paperwork to remove Genma from the clan registry right after that. A day later the calls started. The first few were from fiances looking for either Ranko or Ranma. Soon there were calls from food vendors and restaurant owners looking to collect on IOU's left by Genma during the course of Ranko's training. Some were small enough that Ranko simply paid them off. A few were dissuaded by the fact Genma was not a Saotome any longer but a couple were holding out, talking about lawsuits. Ranko left things in Nabiki's capable hands and paid her a hefty consultation fee, more than Nabiki quoted in fact.
Ranko was angry, depressed, and scared. She was only sixteen and the head and sole survivor of her whole clan. She was so unnerved by the whole situation she couldn't concentrate easily on her skating training. Worse was the fact she had to skate as a guy and was still getting used the new body.
Akane put a hand on Ranko's shoulder and pulled her into a supporting hug, "Don't worry, things will all work out. Let's just concentrate on the here and now. Tomorrow will come soon enough."
Ranko nodded, "Do you think I can sleep in your room tonight? I don't want to be alone."
"I don't have a problem with that, as long as you two behave yourselves." Kimiko said coming into the hallway.
Both girls blushed, "Of course mom." Akane said, "We're still following your advice and we haven't done more than kissed since that night."
Kimiko just nodded and went to fix dinner.
Later, Ranko sat in the dojo staring at the katana in front of her. She had started out trying to meditate but events of the last couple of days kept interrupting her train of thought. She contemplated the sword. Her father had taught her many weapon styles over the years, if nothing else than to be able to understand the weakness of the forms. He had been an excellent teacher if not a good father. Ranko was puzzled though, in all her training she had never learned the katana. He had never even mentioned it in their training sessions. Something about it bothered her. Why not the most basic of all Japanese weapons?
Thinking back, Ranko remembered the photos of her mother she saved from the house. The sword was in almost every one. Was that her mother's chosen style? She wished she could remember more of her childhood before her trip. Her mother had to have been a martial artist. They were descended from Samurai the letter had said. That means there must have been a family style, one that focused on the katana. So why had Genma not taught her? Maybe she could find out when she confronted the man. She was determined to track him down and force him to take responsibility for his dishonorable actions after the skating match. She was so focused on the blade in front of her she didn't notice when Kimiko entered the dojo.
"Ranko, it's time for dinner." She said gently.
"Huh? Oh, sure Auntie, I'll be right there." Ranko replied.
Kimiko turned to leave when an idea struck Ranko.
"Um, Auntie? Can I ask you something?" Ranko began hesitantly.
"Of course dear."
Ranko turned and bowed formally with her katana held out before her, "Would you please train me in the use of my family sword?"
Kimiko smiled, Ranko was serious to be so formal, "I would be honored to train the head of the Saotome clan in the art of the Samurai."
* * * * * * * * * *
Ranko and Akane had just barely made it to class on time. It had begun to rain and Ranko didn't have a chance to find any hot water so they decided 'Ranma' would be attending class for Ranko today.
Ranko sat down and sighed, he was getting to the point that he didn't really mind the curse as much as he used to, especially with Akane's support. They'd even gone out on a date while he was in guy form and made out in the back of the theater during the movie. What bothered him was the lack of control he had over his life because of his uncertain gender. Once again he cursed his father and got out his books for the day's lecture. That was when he realized the grill and the guy standing behind it. He looked kind of familiar and Ranko's mind worked overtime trying to place the face with a name.
The problem was solved when the teacher introduced the student, "Class, I'd like you to welcome our new student, Ukyou Kuonji. He's an okinamiyaki chef from Osaka."
Ranko's brow furrowed then his face lit up in surprise, "Ucchan! Akane, that's my best friend Ucchan from when we were kids."
Ukyou was surprised. The was hardly the reaction expected. Spatula's flew across the grill with practiced ease. The quickly finished okinamiyaki flew out towards Ranko who caught in one handed and ate it quickly as only a Saotome could.
"Yup, That's Ucchan's okinamiyaki all right. She was the best okinamiyaki chef in all of Japan. Why she'd make me..." Ranko trailed off suddenly all the color draining from his face. "Oh no. Ukyou, you didn't go to Jusenkyou did you?"
"What? I don't know what you're talking about! I'm here for revenge Saotome! I've been through hell since you abandoned me!" The chef cried out pulling throwing spatulas from the bandoleer.
Ranko dodged the thrown blades with ease. Something was definitely wrong, Ukyou was his best friend. Somehow Ranko knew her father was to blame for this.
"Calm down Ucchan, let's talk about this."
"The time for talking passed when you and your father abandoned me!"
Ranko leapt for the door hoping Ukyou would follow. He needed to find some hot water and calm Ukyou down enough to find out exactly what her father had done to her friend.
They eventually made their way to the field outside the school. Ukyou was slashing with her large spatula while Ranko deftly avoided her swipes. "Damn it Ucchan let's talk about this! Why are you attacking me?"
"Stand still... eh... and take... huf... your punishment!" Ukyou was beginning to wear out, not surprising considering the weight of the weapon she was holding.
"What did my father do to you Ucchan?" Ranko caught the weapon and held it immobile.
"Argh! Let go and stop calling me Ucchan! You lost that right when you and your father ran out in the night and left me behind!"
"We were supposed to take you with us? Why?" Ranko asked confused.
"If you didn't want to get married to me then why did you say we could be together forever?" Ukyou wrenched her spatula from Ranko's grasp and narrowed her eyes at the currently black haired boy.
"Ukyou, we were six, that's the kind of things kids say... wait a minute, did you say married? We couldn't get married, we're both girls." Ranko said quickly.
A few students who had gathered to watch the fight started whispering furiously to each other at 'Ranma's' proclamation of womanhood. Akane who had managed to catch up to her significant other groaned at Ranko's slip of the tongue.
Ukyou's eyes widened in shock. She looked at Ranko again, now that she knew what to look for she realized Ranko held himself all wrong. She had been pretending to be a boy for ten years after all and knew the tell-tell signs of someone pretending to be the opposite gender. Ranko held her hips and shoulders as if she were used to a different figure. Her speech had been more feminine although it was still rough from being raised by Genma for all those years. Something told Ukyou that Ranko was telling the truth. She suddenly lashed out with her spatula ripping Ranko's shirt open to reveal a very tight tank top, it might have been a sports bra if Ranko had been a girl which Ukyou could see she wasn't.
"Liar!" Ukyou screamed, "I'll never forgive you Ranma! Because of you I lost my womanhood!" That comment of course brought up even more whispers from the gathering students. Ukyou renewed her attacks on Ranko with even more ferocity than before.
Ranko knew it was getting to crowded and she would have to show Ukyou proof to snap her out of her rage anyway. "All right. I'll prove it Ukyou. Follow me!" He took off running.
"Come back here and let me kill you like a man!" Ukyou ran off after Ranko.
Ranko had ran back into the now deserted school and headed straight for the girl's shower room. Ukyou was not far behind from the sounds of destruction. Ranko ran into the showers and turned the water on, quickly adjusting the water temperature. She felt the change come over her as Ukyou bashed in the door and stalked towards the wet redhead. Ukyou looked around, "Where are you Ranma? You can't hide from me!"
"I'm right here Ukyou, and it's Ranko not Ranma." the short girl said miserably.
Ukyou looked the girl over, there was a certain resemblance and the clothes were the same. Even the shirt was ripped the same way although the sports bra underneath was now fulfilling it's primary function.
"S-Saotome? Is it really you?" Ukyou asked disbelieving.
"Yeah, it's me. Can we sit down and talk now?"
* * * * * * * * * *
"And that's how I got cursed." Ranko finished her tale to Ukyou. Akane had come in halfway through and had sat protectively near Ranko. She supplied information and expanded when she felt Ranko wasn't being thorough enough.
Ukyou grabbed a bucket of cold water from nearby and poured it over Ranko, she then repeated the action with the hot water.
"So what are you? A boy or a girl?" Ukyou demanded, a little of her anger returning.
"I was born a girl. I think and feel like a girl even when I'm in a boy's body. I'm sorry my father did this to you Ukyou. Not that it helps you feel any better but you're not the first one he's engaged me to. Heck, the reason I was cursed was so he could marry me to Akane here." Ranko said sadly.
The anger left Ukyou with a sigh, "Ten years... ten years I've trained and trained. Forsaking my femininity and focusing on avenging myself on the two people who abandoned me only to find out the guy I fell in love with wasn't a guy at all." She bowed her head and shook it sadly.
"I'm sorry, father always made me dress as a boy. I can see how you could make that kind of mistake as a kid. I thought you were a boy at first until I overheard you and your father talking. I know it's not much but could we be friends again? I don't have many and with my father gone I have no family left."
"Your mother?" Ukyou asked.
"Dead."
"I'm sorry. Of course I'll be your friend. It'll be just like the old days eh Ran-chan?" Ukyou broke into a smile.
"Thanks Ucchan. Besides, I'm sure you want to be around to help me make my father face up to his past responsibilities."
Ukyou's smile took on a mean edge, "You got that right sugar."
* * * * * * * * * *
"That's great! You're doing much better today." Akane clapped happily.
Ranko was moving about the ice slowly but steadily, none of the shakiness from her first day was apparent. Ukyou skated up behind her dressed in boy's clothes still.
"You say you've never skated before last week?" Ukyou asked astonished.
Ranko nodded, "This is my third time on the ice. I'm feeling pretty good today. It's nice to finally do something that doesn't automatically involve martial arts. Although I would rather skate in my girl form."
Akane shook her head, "You need to get used to that body for the day after tomorrow. I know how much you want to beat that jerk. I wouldn't mind seeing him or his overly cutesy partner roughed up myself." She cracked her knuckles for effect.
"You're such a tomboy Akane." Ranko teased, "But you're my tomboy." He skated over and kissed her on the lips quickly before she could react to the tomboy crack.
"Like you're one to call anyone a tomboy." Akane wrapped her arms around Ranko and gave him a quick hug and a peck on the nose.
Ukyou lost her footing and landed on her backside. She had felt there was something different about Ranko and Akane's friendship but she hadn't expected that.
Ranko realized Ukyou was staring and blushed, quickly releasing Akane he turned to help his childhood friend up.
Ukyou took the hand hesitantly, "Uh, Ran-chan, is there something you're not telling me?"
Blushing even more Ranko stammered out a reply, "Well, you see, that is... it's kinda complicated. Akane and I kinda have this thing but otherwise I'm not interested in women. So don't think I'm gonna hit on you or anything." She finished quickly.
"Maybe you can explain it later. Trouble's coming." Ukyou replied.
Indeed, Mikado Sanzenin and his partner were on the ice and heading in their direction. Azusa was wearing a cute frilly skating leotard and Ranko wondered briefly if she shopped at the same place Kodachi Kuno did.
"So I see you are attempting to train for our match this Sunday. Futile I assure you for we are the undefeated Golden Pair, martial arts skaters extraordinaire. Now clear the rink, it is time for our practice." Sanzenin proclaimed.
"This is martial arts skating? Oh hell, Akane, if it has martial arts in it we can't lose!" Ranko said as Ukyou led her towards the edge of the rink.
Akane nodded slowly, not as confident as Ranko appeared. She was more interested in why there were about a hundred guys pouring out onto the ice wearing hockey gear. They slowly surrounded the Golden Pair while one stood off to the side with a stop watch.
"And now for the assault of a hundred foes!" Mikado announced loudly.
Ukyou watched dumbfounded as all one hundred hockey players swarmed the skating duo. Her jaw dropped slightly as she realized they were actually beating the mob attacking them. That's when she noticed the looks of indifference and boredom on Ranko and Akane's faces.
"Nine point six seconds!" The goalie with the stopwatch proclaimed as the last antagonist fell.
"Hmmph, two point four seconds slower than your best time against the Furinkan Hentai Squad Akane." Ranko observed.
"What are they trying to prove anyway? None of those hockey players were martial artists." Akane snorted.
Ukyou collected herself enough to avoid looking like an idiot.
"Are you trying to make us look foolish?" Mikado snorted skating up to the trio.
"Nah, you're doing a fine enough job without my help." Ranko responded.
Sanzenin flipped a stray lock of hair out of his eyes, sure that the gesture would make him look dashing, "I see you are quite free with your tongue. How about a slight wager to increase the stakes?"
Ranko held back a bitter comment to see what the tall skater had in mind, "You can't have Akane."
"No need to fear. I already plan to steal her lips during our match." He smirked, "I have heard you have a sister. If I win, she goes out on a date with me."
Ranko blanched at the thought of dating the walking ego but an idea occurred to him, "All right, but if I win, you must publicly apologize to me and my fiancé as well as every single woman you've ever kissed. Otherwise no deal."
Mikado frowned for a moment, "Very well Saotome, we will meet on the ice in two days. I expect your sister to be ready by eight that night, and don't expect her home anytime soon." He grinned perversely.
Ranko shuddered as Mikodo and Asuza left the rink.
"Why did you do that Ranko?" Akane asked angrily.
Ranko held her hands and looked into her eyes, "It was something I felt had to be done in the name of all women out there who have been degraded because of people like him. Don't worry, we have this contest in the bag."
"I hope so Ranko, I hope so."
* * * * * * * * * *
End Chapter Six