Dr. Tofu arrived about twenty minutes after Ranma and Akane returned home. He brought with him both Dr. Yosami and Dr. Yasamoto, who had results of her own to share with them. Ranma had been showing Akane some kata he had learned at a temple. The other martial artists of the group had also gathered to watch, some feeling anger at the effort Ranma was making in helping Akane, other's feeling happy for those same reasons. The three doctor's waited while Ranma and Akane made a final run through of the complex kata they were working on. Once the pair where finished, Akane having learned the basic moves of the kata and the tempo of the perfected form, they bowed to each other and towelled off, Ranma using a pail of water to return to his female form in order to better comprehend the news the doctors would have for them.

Everyone gathered together in the dojo, since the engawa and family rooms would be too small for all of them. The doctor's sat together, with the others forming a half circle around them. Akane and Ranma sat near Tofu, while Kasumi was next to Dr. Yasamoto on the other end of the crescent. In the middle of the group, sat Cologne, with Shampoo and Mousse to either side. Next to Shampoo sat Ukyo and Konatasu, with Nabiki next to Konatsu. Nodaka sat between the elder Tendo girls and near her adopted daughter. Soun sat next to Akane with Genma to his other side. Ryoga sat next to Genma, having started looking for the dojo a week before, knowing of the trouble it would take him to find it after receiving his letter.

Out of respect for the Tendo family ancestors, they sat near the shrine, with the large ornate and well kept display to the backs of the doctors. Since the news could affect the future of possible Tendo generations, they all felt it was right to include the Tendo's past generations in the discussion. No one said a word about it, but they all felt it, even the Chinese guests who had different ways of honoring their past.

Dr. Tofu was the first to speak.

"Since we all know why we are here, we'll skip the pleasantries and get to the results. This is Dr. Sam Yosami, a neurosurgeon and a specialist in the field of head trauma. Last weekend, he took some Xrays and scans of Ranma's skull. He found a few interesting things. I'll let him explain." He nodded to the elder gentleman.

"Thank you Tofusan. It was rather interesting to take some of those tests. I had not believed in magic, but I find I must revise my opinions on the matter since I saw the evidence with my own eyes of it's existance. Now, as Ono mentioned, I took a number of images of Ranmasan's brain, in both of his forms." He opened a folder and removed a packet of images. He handed them out so that everyone could see clearly. "What I have just handed you are copies of the Xray's and MRI's that were done. I have circled a few areas of note. Also included are images of an average brain in it's normal uninjured state as comparison points for those unfamiliar with such things."

He held up the first image, a sideview of Ranma's male side and the image of the normal brain. Circled was a spot near the upper back portion of the image, there was a very clear mark of something pressing into the tissue of the brain. The next image was of the same section, but enlarged. At this new magnification it was easy to see that Ranma's skull had several chips in it and that one of the longer fracture corresponded to the large spike pressing into the tissues.

"What this is showing is the part of Ranma's brain currently being affected. It is the part of the brain that is in charge of regulating the hormones produced in order to provide sexual arousal. It is also prodding an area we have long believed to control emotional growth. With these spikes in their current positions, it would be physically impossible for Ranma to react either in a physical or emotional manner appropriate for someone of his age. What I mean is that emotionally, Ranma is stuck at the age he was when he suffered the injury. We are guessing, from what he's told us of his past, that this would be around 10 or 11 years old."

"So he's stuck before puberty starts to affect people?" Nabiki asked, a little quicker on the uptake than most of the other's present. "That's why he treats every one like a child does instead of like a horny little teenager?"

The doctor frowned. "I wouldn't put it quite like that, but that is essentially what is happening. Ranma's brain doesn't procccess the information sent by his nervous system the way another person does due to his injury. The hormones that are being called for by the body aren't being produced in enough quantity to cause his body to react in the proper fashion. Thanks to the scans done of both of his forms, we have identified which of the spurs are responsible for blocking the hormones. This means that we have the ability to remove those spurs, which should allow Ranma's natural healing to take over and return his hormone production to a more normal level."

Dr. Yasamoto continued when Dr. Yosami paused. "Because we are dealing with the brain, there is a slight chance of danger to Ranma during the operation and the recovery period. We estimate, from what he and Tofu have been able to tell us, that he would need at least a full month to physically recover from the surgery. This means that he will be restricted from fighting for that time. Any one who attempts to provoke him will be seen as pressing an assault against him and will face the full penalties of the law and justice system. For that month, as it's been for this week, any one who in any way harms Ranma, either physically or emotionally, will be arrested and tried for crimes ranging from assault to attempted murder. There are no exceptions."

Nodaka leaned forward. "You said he would need a month to physcically recover. Will there be any mental changes?"

Dr. Yosami replied. "Since we are talking about a part of Ranma's life that has been effectively blocked from him, than their is a strong possibility that there will be some changes in Ranma's behaviour. For instance, he will start actually noticing the differences between boys and girls. He might have a bout of aggressiveness but I understand that he's a somewhat aggressive person to begin with."

"So after this surgery, Ranma would be able to react when he sees a pretty girl like Shampoo?" Cologne asked, flicking her long hair behind her as she hopped down from the staff.

"Ah, yes. I suppose you can say that. Once the blockage is removed, Ranma's body will react like any other boys his age. It will be a difficult transition for him, since he will experience the change almost overnight while most peoiple go through it over years. As I had mentioned at one point, there might be some physical growth, especially on his female body. For this reason, and in order to more quickly help Ranma adapt to the changes in his reactions and the new impulses, we think it's best for Ranma to remain male from the time of the surgery and for at least a month, possibly two afterwards."

Cologne nodded. "Yes, that is mentioned in that letter you had delivered to us. I have provided Ranma with a 2 month supply of waterproof soap that will allow him to avoid changing when splashed with cold water. Unfortunately, part of the curse is to attract said water at every remote possibility and I know of no way to guard against that. So though he will not change forms, he will still draw cold water to himself on a regular schedule."

Ranma groaned then smiled. At least he'd be aguy for a whole month. Maybe they'd be able to go to the beach and he'd get a chance to swim as a guy. "That's better than nothing, I guess."

Cologne cackled. "Don't worry, Ranma. We'll put off your Amazon training during that time, as well. You won't have to wear traditional warrior dress in your male form."

Ranma faked a sigh of relief, having forgotten about the dress requirements Cologne clung to while training him in the Amazon secrets that were now his by birthright, thanks to his grandmother being her daughter. "Weew. Don't take this the wrong way, Sensei, but I wasn't looking forward to wearing that halter top and war skirt. I just don't have the legs for them in this form."

Everyone had a chuckle at the imagery that this stirred in their minds.

Nodaka spoke up first once the chuckling slowed to a trickle. "When would this operation need to take place, Sensei? How long before my son is able to be a true man?"

Before the doctor had a chance to reply, Ranma snorted. "Nevermind that. I want to know since it's going to affect my training. I mean, you're barely letting me do anything right now. I doubt you'd let me go bcak to the way things were before all this stuff came up. Not to mention that Ryoga and the other idiots aren't able to control themselves very well now. Look, he's already getting ready to jump me."

Akane gently tapped his shoulder. "Maybe if you wouldn't tease the poor guy so much, he wouldn't always be fighting you Ranma. I mean, sure, Ryoga's not really the calmest of guys, but he can't help it that he's so sensitive. He's spent most of his life more alone than you, remember?"

Ranma sighed. "You're right, Akane. Look, sorry Ryoga. I didn't mean to try and provoke you or nothing. I'm just saying that with my mouth, and your temper, neither of us would be able to keep acting all calm and peacelike to each other for much longer, right?"

Ryoga grunted. He hated when the other boy was right. "I can hold out from beating on you longer than you can hold out from insulting me, Ranma."

Ranma rolled his eyes. Just like the stupid pig to make this a contest. "All right, Pchan. You want to go, let's go. I will not insult, provoke, or tease you until a month and a day after my surgery."

Ryoga grinned, his one fang glinting in the lights. "Fine with me. I will not attack you in any way, shape or form, nor deliberately put myself in position for you to insult or tease me."

"So now that that is settled, we can get on to more important matters." Dr. Yosami stated. "To answer what you all seem to be asking, there is an opening in 2 weeks. We need to do a few blood tests and what not before then, but if all goes well, we'll be able to perform the surgery in two weeks."

Ranma brightened. "Two weeks? That's great! We were worried it would be a few months before it could be done."

Yosami chuckled softly. "Usually it would, but I'm rather interested in seeing the results of the surgery and what effect it will have on your personality. Of course, that could change if an emergency comes up and the operating room is needed for a critical case, but I am optimistic that any delay could be dealt with quickly and the surgery completed no later than 3 weeks from today. Provided of course that you want to take the risk. It is after all, brain surgery. Though the risk is minimal, there is always the possibility of something going wrong."

Ranma looked at his mother, who was staring at him with a look of great eagerness on her face. He could almost feel her pressuring him to go for the surgery. He studied the faces and noticed that they had all a variety of similar looks, varying in intensity and desperation. Only Akane's face was calm. Ignoring the others, he took a breath.

"Akane, what do you think I should do?"

Akane gave a small smile, while she ignored Nodaka's angry hiss. "I think you should do what you feel is best, Ranma. It is your brain, after all, and you will have to live with any changes that happen to you after the surgery."

Ranma sighed and fiddled with his pigtail. "How do I know what's best? And do I do what's best for me, or for mom or for someone else."

Akane's face settled into a calm expression. "You must do what you feel is best for you, Ranma. Ask yourself this: Are you better off the way you are? Or would you be happier if you were able to better understand your feelings?"

Ranma frowned and fiddled with his pigtail, ignoring the others in the room. Akane was telling him to decide if he'd be happier in his current state, which was usually confused and frustrated that he couldn't understand what other's were trying to tell him, or would he rather have the surgery and be able to feel and know what other's were talking about when they mentioned those things he didn't understaand. The real question here was: Was he ready to grow up? Or did he want to stay a child for the rest of his life?

AN: OH NO

A cliffhanging plot bunny! The worst thing a writer can do to his readers.

Don't worry my friends, the questions will be answered soon enough. I hope you're enjoying this.