Ranma ½: Ranma and Ranko
Written by: Dana "D.L. Showtime" Hill Based off the original manga series, Ranma ½ by: Rumiko TakahashiNOTICE: This story is a work of fan fiction, and has NO official relation to the original Ranma ½ series. All the original characters and stories are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, and the author of this story claims no ownership of any characters or stories from the original work. Anyone wanting to post this story on a web site must have my permission before doing so. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or complaints, you can e-mail me. My address is you and enjoy the story.
PART 1: Trouble in Paradise
Nodaka Saotome slowly opened her eyes, the haze gradually clearing from her sight.
"Are you okay, Nodaka?" asked Genma, kneeling over his wife as she lay, slowly recovering.
"Mom. You okay?"
"Aunte Saotome, are you all right?" asked the others.
"Oh! Ranma, Akane. I had the weirdest dream. I dreamt that there were two Ranmas! I mean like with two separate bodies. A boy and girl. I mean…"
"Um… mom, it's not a dream. Look." The female Ranma interjected, walking over to her mother. "I'm real. My name is Ranko. I hope you don't mind…my using that name."
Nodoka stared at the girl, the color again draining from her face.
"Oh…my…"
"Whoa! Mom, don't faint on us again. Everyone wants an explanation, and I want you to be awake for it." Said male Ranma.
"No need to worry son," spoke Nodaka, the color slowly returning to her face, "I want to hear this."
"How did this happen?" Asked Soun
"Well, it was…"
"That Island!" Shouted Akane, cutting off her husband. "The whole trip was a set-up."
"A 'set-up'? Who would do such a thing?" asked Kasumi.
"Cologne. The Kunos too, all of them." Akane answered.
"Why would all of those people be together?" Asked Nodaka.
Ranma looked at his mother and sighed, "The same reason as always."
"Hmmm," Soun Tendo lit up a cigarette, "Have they no sense? Can they not see that you two are now happily married? Well that still doesn't explain why we now have two Ranmas."
"Well…it might be easier if…"
SPLASH!
Ranma had to stop suddenly.
"Nabiki! What did you do that for?"
"Just curious." She responded, "Had to know if you were still cursed. I mean there are two of you now."
"Well now you have your answer." He spat back; soaking wet, and still male.
Genma looked on with added interest. His son had been splashed, and had remained male. Maybe he could be cured too.
"Go on Ranma. What were you about to say?"
"As I was saying…" he stopped, looking to see if anyone wanted to spring any more surprises, "it might be easier to explain if we start at the beginning."
Ranma and Akane stepped out of their cab. The trip had been fairly relaxing, all except for the day they left. Genma and Soun had taken it upon themselves to give their children some parental advice. Soun hadn't been too harsh, simply giving Akane some advice on keeping a man satisfied.
Ranma had it much worse. Genma was giving advice as the self-named "Master of Romance." His "advice" had mostly consisted of bad lines to get Akane "in the mood." Of course Genma was the last person who should have given such advice. He had been fairly vocal with his advice as well. Everyone in the house had at least two suggestions on how to, "turn a woman on." Finally, annoyed and embarrassed to his wits' ends, Ranma had knocked his father out to keep him quiet. Both were pleased to be away from their noisy parents.
Ranma and Akane had arrived at the island in first class style. This was surprising, especially to Ranma.
'For a trip this expensive, you'd expect them to cheap out somewhere.' He thought, but it seemed that not only were all expenses paid, none had been spared either.
The island belonged to some billionaire, and he had made a resort there. Only the incredibly rich could afford to stay, so naturally Ranma and Akane felt rather out of place, being only lucky winners of a contest. Still, it was hard to be upset at all. The weather was perfect; the room they had was almost as big as the entire Tendo house! Also, they were served three meals daily, (This was, of course, a relief to Ranma). Most importantly they were alone.
'No parents, rivals, siblings, perverts, or any other prying eyes, only Ranma and Akane Saotome.'
"Come on!" shouted Ranma, "Lets hit the beach!"
Only hitting the beach held two concerns. One: Akane swam like a lead weight. The only way she could safely enter water that came over her waistline was to have Ranma there, which, of course, led to problem Two: Ranma would transform the second he hit the water. In this case, problem two was more or less moot. All of the other island guests seemed too wrapped up in their own "Snootiness," to care if two girls enjoyed themselves.
Just to be sure, Ranma suggested walking the boardwalk first, his idea being to check out the beach. It was, "uncrowded," to say the least.
'Only 50 people were invited to visit this resort,' he thought, 'and none of them seem to like beaches.' "Come on Akane, we've got a beach to ourselves."
The couple walked down hand-in-hand to the shoreline. The water was fairly calm.
'Good.' Thought Ranma, 'No need in making Akane anymore scared than she already is.'
Ranma walked into the water. It was warm, but not nearly enough to keep him from changing.
"All right. Let's just take it slowly." Now transformed, Ranma took Akane by the hand as she slowly led her into the water.
Akane felt nervous as the water level began to come up over her knees.
'It's okay.' She thought, looking towards her now female husband. 'Ranma won't let anything happen to me.'
She continued to move deeper into the water, still nervous but secure in Ranma's hands. Suddenly, a wave hit her, splashing water up to her breasts.
That was all it took. Akane panicked and fell beneath the waters. As quickly as it happened, Ranma sank below the waters and after only seconds, returned to the surface, Akane holding on to her for dear life. Akane stood in the water, gasping for air, still clinging on to Ranma.
"It's only waist deep." Said Ranma, looking at the other girl in disbelief. "…Sorry." Returned Akane.
"It's all right." Ranma said back, "Just remember the water's safe. Try to think of it like a training exercise."
"What?" asked Akane.
"Here," started Ranma, "just lean back. Keep your body straight, but relax your arms and legs." Ranma placed her hand under Akane and began to guide her along the water.
'I'm…floating!' she thought, as she glided across the water, 'I'm floating! I'm in the water and not drowning. "Ranma?"
"Shhhh…" she answered, "Just close your eyes and relax."
Akane grew nervous as she closed her eyes. "Ranma, I'm kinda…""Don't be." She responded cutting her off, "Just relax. I'm here with you."
Akane continued to move across the calm waters, moving for some time. She felt like a part of nature.
"This is great. Don't you think so too Ranma?" There was no response. "Ranma?" Quiet again.
Akane opened her eyes and realized Ranma was no longer beside her. She had been floating on her own! Right away she panicked, again falling beneath the waters.
'Damn!' thought Ranma, moving quickly towards Akane, 'I thought she had it!'
Ranma shot down underwater where Akane had submerged. As she opened her eyes to find Akane, all she saw was a pair of legs, rather familiar ones.
Ranma returned to the surface, Akane was standing there, Ranma looked at her. "Akane?"
"I remembered the water was only waist deep." she answered.
Ranma just stood in somewhat disgust. 'Well at least she can stand in the water.' she thought. "Come on, let's try again."
Time rolled on by as the swim lessons continued. After hours the pair walked back to the beach.
"Whew! That really was like martial arts training." Exclaimed Akane; "I'm exhausted."
Ranma walked beside his wife, thinking quietly. 'Man! An hour to stand in waist high water, two hours to learn to float and she still can't really swim!'
Still, the time had been pleasant, and they had avoided fighting. All in all, it had been a great day. The pair settled down at the area they had set up beforehand.
Akane handed Ranma a thermos. "Here. I packed some hot water. It should still be warm enough."
"Hey! Thanks Akane!" she responded, not sure rather to be more surprised at the fact that his wife had prepared so well, or at the fact that she was actually successful at boiling water. She erased the thoughts as she poured the still hot water over herself.
Ranma and Akane lay down on a beach blanket they had set up.
'Man what a great place.' he thought, 'You could practically sleep on the beaches.' He noticed Akane move closer to him. 'Apparently she wasn't joking when she had said she was exhausted.'
She had fallen asleep, her head against Ranma's chest. He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. 'So peaceful… I hope it stays like this forever.' He turned their sun umbrella to shade them and closed his eyes to sleep. 'This is great…'
They wouldn't have been able to rest at all had they known what was in route to the island.
"Great Grand-mother! Pilot say we be at island in few hours."
"Thank you, Shampoo." Said Cologne, relaxing in her seat. She watched as the Kuno children fought over which in-flight movie to watch aboard the expensively decked out helicopter.
"I say no, twisted sister! I shall not allow mine eyes and ears to be besmirched by such drivel."
"OHHOHOHO! Brother dear! It is I, who will not tolerate this sad excuse for cinema."
Cologne shook her head. 'Maybe we'll get lucky and one of them will kill the other. Maybe they'll kill each other. No…our luck could never be that good. It is never that good.'
Cologne knew that the annoyance of the Kuno family was worth it to get Ranma.
'This is a desperate plan.' She thought, 'No assurance it will work, but options are few.'
There were other options of course, but they held even less assurance, and they would be difficult and messy. Ranma had admitted his love for the Tendo girl. He would do anything for her. He would fight for her, die for her. He would kill for her. Eliminating Akane would be counter productive. It would only invite Ranma's wrath, and he was too skilled to simply look past.
'If he came to blows with us…' thought Cologne, 'we could be finished. Even if we were able to defeat him…he would fight to the death. His death would accomplish nothing.' She cast an eye over to where Shampoo sat. She knew her great granddaughter had had nearly enough of this.
She loved Ranma, with all her heart, but the foolish boy did not love her. At least not the way she loved him. He had tried to tell Shampoo that his heart was only for Akane, and, in a way, Shampoo accepted this. It was not easy, but she had seen how he had cried for her on Phoenix Mountain. When he thought he had lost her, that she had died. Shampoo saw the look in his eye when he realized that Akane was alive. It was like a part of his soul, dying, slowly and painfully, had returned to life, brighter and more vibrant then before. It was the look of love. He had not said it, the words never came, but his eyes had spoken louder than any words could. He loved Akane more than life itself.
Shampoo could never compete with her in his heart. If given an option, she would leave. Simply allow them to live in peace. Return to the village and forget about them, about him. But that was not an option. The law had to be satisfied, Shampoo could not return without Ranma. If she did, the elders would sentence her to death, and now, Cologne had taken up Shampoo's quest, as well as her punishment. It had been a stroke of luck that she had encountered the Kuno family while in China.
The elder amazon cursed mentally at having even gone to China. She had been tricked into believing that Ranma had found a map to Jusenkyo, and that he and Akane planned to wed there. It had made since at the time. A map to the accursed springs had been stolen years ago by that lecher, Happosai, who now resided in the same house at them, getting it would not have been 'too' difficult. What better wedding gift then to be cured of his curse.
It seemed to be the truth, especially after seeing them packing for a trip. In retrospect, they had probably been pre-packing for their honeymoon. The lie had most certainly been told to keep her from interfering with the wedding. It had worked too, except that she had not been the only one sent away.
The Kuno family was not known to listen to simple logic. Eldest son, Tatewaki Kuno was "Poetically Infatuated," with Akane, and despised "The Foul Sorcerer Saotome," for being her betrothed. He also was in love with the "Pig-Tailed Goddess," who was actually Ranma in his girl form. He had never figured out that they were one-and-the-same.
Daughter Kodachi Kuno was equally crazed. She loved Ranma, and detested the Pig-Tailed girl, again, not knowing they were the same person. She also hated Akane, for the same reason her brother hated Ranma. Any attempts to enlighten the siblings failed, miserably.
Their father was oddest of all. He seemed to enjoy causing grief to Ranma, or for that matter, anyone at Furinkan High School, where, oddly enough he was principal. At least his children could claim reasons of the heart as excuses to trouble them. The two would never allow their respective 'loves', to marry without a fight. Sending them to China was a way to ensure they would not interfere with the wedding.
The Kuno's and their ways seldom concerned her, but they had one thing Cologne could use. Money, and a healthy supply of it. Normally, money was not a necessity of Cologne's, but her trip to Jusenkyo had caused an unexpected plan to fall into her lap.
After arriving at the springs, Cologne had been informed by the guide of a new discovery. A spring located on a distant island that could cure Jusnekyo curses. This did not particularly interest Cologne, a cure could be found right there at the springs. What did interest her was how the spring came to be.
A human wizard had made it. According the information the guide had given her; he was considered the greatest user of magic walking the earth. He was a wayward traveler, walking the planet seeking only to strengthen his magic. During his travels, he learned of an island were several springs existed. The springs had been called the "Water of the lost Souls," because they were said to have the power to bring souls to the side of the living. He traveled to this island and found the springs did contain magic, but not enough to satisfy his need for power. All was not lost however, as the magician could add his powers to the springs. The combined power brought a lost soul from the other side, whose power brought the wizard more power that he had ever had.
Yet he was still not satisfied, he desired more souls to add to his power. For years, the magician would bring people to his island using his power to entrap their minds. He then stole their souls and added them to his power. For hundreds of years he did this, until a magic woman learned of the island.
She vowed to stop him. She came to the island, and sure enough, the wizard tried to steal the woman's soul, but she was skilled in the "Holy Magic Arts." She defeated the wizard and used her sacred arts to send him to the realm of lost souls. After she defeated the wizard she found that she could not save the souls that he had stolen. Hoping to do something to make up for the evil deeds committed by the wizard, she augmented the magic springs to use their power for good. She didn't have long to wait, as one of the wizard's intended victims was cursed amazon who had fallen into Junsenkyo. After the woman cured the amazon she learned that many who used the training grounds near the springs had become cursed like her. With the amazon's help, more cursed victims were brought to the island, and cured using the spring. Years went by, and the fear of the curses was forgotten. The legend of the healing spring, and of the woman who could cast away the magic of Junsenkyo spread throughout the Joketsuzoku.
The woman continued to cast away the curses until her death. Without her to use the magic springs were rendered useless, and abandoned. As the years rolled by, the island was forgotten. Many years after that a natural disaster destroyed most of the island. Hundreds of years later, a billionaire had bought the tiny island, not knowing of its past. It was soon transformed into a resort for the rich and famous. Cologne's interest lie in the springs. If the magic within had been altered before, it was possible that she could as well. It was an offshoot, but all other options were exhausted.
The only problem now was getting Ranma and herself to that island. Even if she told him of the cure, he would not be so hasty in going there. Experience had taught him that help from Cologne could be dangerous. Besides, how could he afford such a trip? That was where the Kuno's came in. They had the money to get Ranma to the island, and a reason to assist Cologne. She came up with the fake contest idea, knowing that Ranma would not pass up such a ripe opportunity, especially if he could bring Akane with him. She knew not to tell him of the island's springs, or else he might get suspicious. With the Kuno's money, she could send Ranma to the island, follow him, use the magic of the spring to ensnare him, and return with him and Shampoo to the village.
Cologne almost hated to do such a thing to Ranma, almost. She knew that Shampoo wanted Ranma to love her, as she loved him. She would never accept him being hers against his will. But Shampoo's love was a convenience at best and a hindrance at worst. For the sake of the next generation of Joketsuzoku, indeed for Shampoo's own sake, this would have to be done.
A sharp elbow to the ribs arose Ranma from his nap.
Ugh! Akane must be dreaming.' He thought, knowing of his wife's tendency to use what Ranma had dubbed, "Dream-fu," when sleeping. "Yo! Akane! Wake up."
" YAWN Ranma? Why did you wake me? I was having such a nice dream."
"I noticed." He answered, rubbing on the sore spot on his torso.
After leaving the beach Ranma and Akane returned to the hotel, were they found an invitation to a party.
"Come on Ranma!" "How often do people like us get invited to parties with rich people?"
"Jeeese. Akane, the rich don't have parties like normal people." He answered, changing into some new clothes; "All they do is talk about money, their cars and boats and that stuff. No fun at all."
"Oh Come ON!" she replied angrily, "This is a once in a life time chance! At least there'll be some nice food."
Ranma's head turned to Akane. "Really!" Ranma hadn't eaten since the boat that had brought them to the island, seven hours ago, a long time for him. He was pretty hungry.
"Yes. The rich always have nice food." Akane answered, condescendingly.
"Then what are we waiting for! Let's go!" He darted out the room leaving the still changing Akane behind.
"HEY! Ranma! Wait for me!"
Akane caught up with him at the banquet room. "You JERK!" She yelled, trying to catch her breath, "You left me!"
"Uuuum, Akane…I was wrong." He replied.
"Well…at least you're sorry. I mean leaving me like that."
"What? I'm not talking about that. Look."
A slightly annoyed Akane looked into the banquet room. "Whoa." She saw what Ranma was talking about.
The people in the room were livelier than he had thought possible.
"Guess I was wrong about the rich. They know how to party."
"HEEEY!" said a very drunken man in front of them. "You two look like two real party animals! WHOO-HOO!"
Ranma and Akane moved away from the man, taking care not to turn their backs to him. "Umm, yeah…"
The pair made their way into the party, trying not to look too out of place. The problem was not that they did not appear to match the dress and attitude of the party go-ers, but that they appeared sane compared to most of them. The vast majority of them appeared rather inebriated and stumbled around.
'I guess they think they're dancing.' Thought Akane.
There didn't appear to be many Japanese people at this party, which lent itself to a severe language barrier. Ranma made his way to the food table, Akane close behind. The food was distinctly non-Japanese, a major turn off for the pair. Still, Ranma was too hungry to mind much. He picked up one of the sandwiches and tried it.
"Wow! Hey Akane you were right. This is great."
"Yeah. I told you, the rich always have good food." She replied.
"HEY! You're cute!"
A preoccupied Ranma turned to the sound of the voice, not understanding much of the English spoken.
"What?" replied Ranma to the young woman who had spoken to him.
"Ranma! What does she want?" asked Akane.
"I don't know. I can't understand her." He replied.
"Come on! Let's dance." She shouted as she took Ranma up by the hand and led him to the dance floor.
"Hey Ranma! What are you doing?" Yelled Akane at the sight of her husband being led off by the strange woman. Suddenly she felt her arm being grabbed by someone.
"Come on pretty lady! Let me show you how we do the "Texas two-step."
Akane turned to the man as he spoke, noticing immediately his ten-gallon hat, the same kind cowboys wore in those old western movies from America. She soon found herself on the dance floor dancing with the "Cowboy Man,"
Ranma and the odd girl nearby, dancing, or at least she was. Both shrugged at each other as to what was going on. Ranma finally came to the conclusion that the rude, drunken people wanted to dance, and had decided he and Akane would make good partners.
"Enough of this!" he shouted, moving closer to Akane and her dance partner.
"What'd you say!" spoke the girl at Ranma's words, "I don't speak Spanish!"
Ranma grabbed Akane, freeing her from the "Cowboy Man's" grip, and handed his partner to him.
"Hey! What happened to the pretty Asian girl?" he asked, noticing Akane was gone, and a new girl had taken her place.
"No, I'm not Asian, I'm from California." she drunkenly responded.
Outside the banquet room Ranma and Akane managed to get their barrings.
"Well that was interesting." Said Ranma, taking a bite of the sandwich he had managed to escape with.
"Well, it was kinda fun." said Akane,
"Are you joking? Those people are nuts!" he replied,
"SORRY. I was just trying to have some fun." She rebutted, some agitation in her voice.
"Ah…It's not your fault. I was kinda fun, I guess… Hey! The food was nice." He said, finishing the last of his sandwich.
She smiled at him, giving his arm a bit of a squeeze. Ranma's witless charm had eased the agitation in her. The pair returned to their room, stepping over the drunken man on their way down the hall.
Upon returning to their room, they found some bottles of sake, and a note from the hotel management. 'A gift, from "NABS."
'Nabiki…' thought Ranma looking over the note.
"Oh! That's…nice." said Akane.
The two lay on their bed, silent, looking up at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact with the other. They knew what "NABS," had intended by having them sent sake. The idea left an odd feeling in them. Ranma and Akane never talked about sex. It was almost like a silent pact between them, 'Never talk about our sex life.' When they had intercourse at other times it had come as sudden passion, and often the result of heavy drinking. It always started with a simple kiss, and then progressed quite rapidly from there. It was pure impulse from the two. Neither of them could be bold enough to ask to make love to the other, though they both shared the same desire.
'Damn it!' thought Akane, 'Why is this so hard? I love him, he loves me. We're MARRIED for god's sake.'
'Come on Saotome!' thought Ranma, 'Just ask her. What are you afraid of? She's your wife!'
The words never came to either of them.
"I'm…going to take a bath." Said Akane.
"Umm…Okay." Ranma replied. Akane left into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
'Damn!' he thought, 'I'm such a coward. Any other man would leap at this opportunity. Why am I so afraid?'
He sat there awhile, listening to the sounds of the running bath water. He saw the steam come between the crack under the door and could feel his body longing to be next to hers. He did his best to ignore the emotions, pouring some warm sake. The drink did little more than remind him of his desire.
'Damn it.' He walked over to a dresser, and looked into the mirror. He saw the look of frustration on his face, and he found himself thinking of home, and of how things used to be. Him and Akane constantly arguing, their father's never ending attempts to marry them off, the annoying fiancées, the suitors. With an exchange of vows and a kiss, everything had changed. With the exception of the occasional duel with Ryoga, (Who was simply looking to defeat him at this point, nothing else,) and glomping attacks from Shampoo, the insanity that had once ruled his life had all but disappeared.
Nothing was in his way now, yet his own insecurities were effectively blocking his path better than anyone else had. His mind found itself wandering, and thinking about Akane's former suitors. They had been nice to her, friendly, and generally quite open about their feelings towards her, while he insulted her, and acted so coldly towards her. Yet, they had gotten married, putting aside all others for one another. The others would have jumped at the idea of being "intimate," with Akane, (well…maybe not Ryoga). Ranma's blood began to heat at the idea.
'No damn way. She's my wife. You chumps blew your chances.' He thought, chasing away the lingering images of his rivals, 'I've done this before, and damn it, I will do it again!'
Akane sat in the warm waters of her bath, thinking silently to herself.
KNOCK KNOCK
"Akane. You mind if I come in?"
'Ranma!' "N-no. Come on in." She could fell her cheeks redden and a mixed feeling of embarrassment and hope in her chest as Ranma walked into the bathroom.
"Hey…thought you might want some sake."
"Oh…sure."
Ranma poured her a cup, his eye catching a look at her naked body through the clear warm water. He began to blush, most of his earlier confidence disappearing.
"Uhhhh, that's not really why I came in here."
"Oh…" Akane remarked, feeling more and more nervous.
"Yeah… You remember when I told you I have a hard time saying the things I feel."
"How could I forget." She answered.
"Well, you know I love you, and that I'd do any thing for you."
"Ranma…what are you trying to say."
He stared into her brown eyes; the words seemed to just disappear.
"That…that…I" 'SHIT! Just tell her.' "I just thought that you and I could…umm. I mean…you know."
Ranma felt a warm, wet hand in his. He met her gaze, and fell silent.
"Yes." She said, looking back into his eyes, "I want you."
He felt her hands move towards the buttons on his shirt, and begin to unbutton them one by one. He kicked off his shoes and loosened the string around his pants. Ranma stepped into the water and looked at Akane, who moved on top of him. Their lips slowly came together as they embraced.
'I guess the awkwardness will go away with time.' he thought, 'To be with her now like this makes it all worth it.'
Shampoo felt a chill race up her spine.
"Something wrong child?" asked Cologne.
"No. Nothing wrong." She answered, shaking off her strange chill. She had been almost completely silent the whole trip. She did not know what her great grandmother had in store for Ranma, or if it would even work. All she knew was that she had gone to great lengths to get here.
"AHHH! It's jus' like Hawaii. De trees, de beach. It makes dis old man feel like a little kahuna again." Stated father Kuno as he stepped off the helicopter.
"We are not here to take in sights, old man. We are here to smite that coward Saotome for his treachery. For the crime of stealing away the fair Akane Tendo." Ranted Tatewaki Kuno as he followed his father.
"HO OHOHOH!" laughed Kodachi leaping above her father and brother. "It is that dreadful girl Akane who shall be punished!"
"NEVER!" shouted Kuno, drawing his bokendo. "I will never allow you to harm a hair on her head."
The two siblings began to circle.
"Enough!" shouted Cologne; "We have no need for all this bickering. We will make camp tonight. Tomorrow we will attend to Ranma."
The Kuno's reluctantly agreed. "Come, we will be well hidden in the forest". The group grabbed their equipment and started for the jungle.
'Tomorrow,' thought Cologne, 'we will settle things once and for all.'
Shampoo looked at the clear, starry skies. 'Tomorrow…will be the beginning.' She thought, 'Either of my new life with Ranma…or the end.'
END OF PART 2