(Chinese)
-thoughts-
Part 4
"Morning, Ranchan," Ukyo said from her grill as Ranma walked in. "I'm making you a special breakfast."
"Err, Morning Ucchan," Ranma replied, slightly red faced, "that, um, that smells good."
Ukyo smiled at Ranma, more from habit, though the comment had pleased her. They had not had a good first night together, but Ukyo understood. They had slept in the same bed. Ranma had protested at first, but Ukyo reminded her that they were both girls, and while Ranma may like girls, she didn't, so Ranma had nothing to worry about. Ranma had reluctantly accepted. Ukyo had suggested it because she felt that the smaller girl needed the closeness and acceptance, though she of course hadn't told Ranma this. Ranma had spent the night tossing and turning mumbling in her sleep, but she had quieted when Ukyo took her in her arms and held her, so the young chef didn't miss the sleep she had lost that much.
The two ate in silence, both lost in thought.
"You think Doc Tofu has found anything that can help us?" Ukyo asked at last.
"Doc's the best," Ranma said. "I'm sure he has."
The left after they finished, and Ukyo hung an "On Holiday" sign on her door. They then headed for the clinic. Doc Tofu met them at his door, a grim expression on his face.
"What's wrong, Doc?" Ranma asked nervously. "Do you know what's wrong with me?"
"Yes...," Tofu said.
"What is it?"
"I think the two of you should come inside," he said and led them in.
"Hello Ranma," a familiar voice said as they came in. Ranma hissed, and Ukyo drew her battle spatula.
"What are you doin here, old ghoul?" Ranma said glaring at the old woman.
"I'm here to help you," Cologne said. "I'm trying to repair some of the damage my great granddaughter caused with her little deception yesterday."
"Where is Shampoo anyway," Ukyo asked a gleam in her eye. "She has a lot to answer to me about."
"She is in the hospital," Cologne said. "I'll let her know you wish to see her when she is recovered."
"What did she do to me old ghoul," Ranma said, "and more importantly how do I cure it?"
"Shampoo used a potion known as the Last Resort," Cologne said. "It is called such
because only the truly desperate are willing to face the consequences of its use. I had hoped
to find that you had been spared the full effects of the potion, but I see that it wasn't so.
We can be thankful that at least your love for Ryoga has worn off. I am sorry to tell you
this, but all the symptoms point to the fact. I am afraid it will be a while before you are
able to turn back into a man. There is no real cure, but after nature has run its course,
you will return back to normal."
"How long before that happens," Ranma growled.
"About nine months," Cologne said looking very uncomfortable.
"Nine Months!" Ranma bellowed. "You mean I'm gonna be stuck as a girl for more than a half a year! No way, there's gotta be something I can do!"
"N-n-nine m-m-months?" Ukyo asked turning very pale. There was a loud clang as her spatula hit the floor. Ranma turned to stare at her in surprise, as Ukyo stared at Ranma in shock.
"Ucchan?" Ranma asked.
"Oh, my, god," Ukyo said, then seemed to freeze.
"Ucchan? Ucchan?" Ranma asked. She got no response so walked over the chef and waved a hand before her unblinking eyes.
"I believe the girl has figured it out," Cologne said.
"Figured what out?" Ranma asked.
"Have a seat Ranma," Doc Tofu said.
"But..."
"Sit."
"Okay."
The doctor sighed.
"Cologne and I spent most of last night talking about this," Doc Tofu said. "The reason the Potion Shampoo used is called the Last Resort is because if it fails, the woman using it can no longer be married under amazon law, and is no longer even considered a real woman."
"What's that got to do with me," Ranma asked. Out of habit, Cologne whapped him on the head with her cane.
"Be quiet and listen," she said. Ranma glared.
"I'm about outa patients with you, old hag," Ranma said.
"I'm trying to get you to understand the situation, Ranma," Doctor Tofu broke in. "The girl
who plans to use the potion first takes it herself. She then has twelve hours to give the
potion to the man she wants and to , um, ah, seduce him. You see, the potion not only
induces love and lust, it also acts as a super fertility enhancer. It boosts a woman's
fertility level to the point that if she doesn't become pregnant with in twelve hours,
she will become sterile."
"The potion works because after she becomes pregnant, the man then must marry her. In our tribe, however, a female who cannot bare children is not considered to be a true woman. They are looked down upon and scorned."
"That means that Shampoo..," Ranma said. Cologne nodded. "Well wish that I could say I was sorry, but what she's put me through, I got no sympathy for her."
Cologne and doctor Tofu looked at each other and then back at Ranma.
"There's something I don't think you're getting, Ranma," Tofu said.
"What's that, Doc?"
"The potion boosts fertility to the point that there is a 99 chance that the woman will get pregnant if she has sex during those twelve hours."
"Yeah, so."
"Ranma, think about it."
Ranma frowned.
-So what,- she thought. -The potion makes it easy for a woman to get pregnant. I don't see how that effects me. I mean I'm a guy...-
"No," Ranma said. "It can't be. I'm a guy, I can't be preg-gg-nne, erraahh. No, no way, it's a lie!"
"I'm sorry Ranma, but it is not," Cologne said. "The reason you cannot change back to your male form is because your body is protecting the child."
"No," Ranma said.
"I'm afraid she's right, Ranma," Tofu said, "I didn't think about it when you were here yesterday, but the answer was right there. You have the same aura as a woman carrying a child. I just didn't recognize it as that, because I didn't think of it."
"No, you're both lying!" Ranma screamed, her battle aura flaring. "This is some kind of trick, this can't be real! "
"As much as I wish that were so, I'm afraid it is all to real," Cologne said.
Ranma howled and dived at Cologne. Cologne jumped away and Ranma ended up destroying the table she had been standing on.
"It's a lie!" Ranma shouted again and threw a series of kicks at the old amazon, which she blocked. Ranma then threw a punch, which the amazon dodged. Instead of Cologne, she impacted on the wall, embedding her arm to the elbow. Ranma yanked her arm free, tearing a large hole in the wall. Ranma's brain had been overloaded and had shut down, taking with it all traces of rational thought and sanity. It had reverted to a more primitive level, where such things were no longer needed. All this older part understood was the desperation, panic, anger and fear it was feeling. It didn't matter why it felt like this, only that it did, and that the strange shriveled thing it was looking at was some how linked to the cause.
Ranma leapt at Cologne. Cologne jumped up and over Ranma, and tapped her on the head sending the girl into a shelf full of books, which collapsed on top of her. Before she could recover, Cologne hit a point on the back of the girl's neck sending her into unconsciousness. Cologne sighed, then leapt strait up as the blade of a spatula passed through the air where she had been standing.
-I was wondering when she would come around,- Cologne thought as she turned to face a seething Ukyo. Ukyo tried to smash the ghoul flat, but she dodged. Cologne twirled her cane to deflect the barrage of small throwing spatulas as she leapt away.
-The girl has good reflexes,- Cologne mused as she dodged another swipe by Ukyo's weapon.
With a jab, and a twist with her cane, Cologne disarmed the girl, sending the spatula flying. Ukyo growled, and tried to grab the old woman. The next thing Ukyo knew, she was launched into the air and landed in the pile of books near Ranma. She tried to get to her feet, but her legs buckled, and she fell unconscious next to Ranma. Cologne looked at the two, then turned to the young doctor.
"Well, they took the news far better than I expected," she said.
"Yes," Doctor Tofu agreed. "My clinic. Is still standing."
Ranma moaned as she came awake. Her head was throbbing and she felt stiff.
"Oh, good, you're finally awake," a fimilar voice said, and Ranma sat up on the examination table and turned to face a young man.
"Doc?" Ranma asked and winced at the pain in her head. "What the heck happened? How did..."
"Hello again, Ranma," said another voice. Cologne. Suddenly everything came back to her, and Ranma jumped to her feet. She almost colapsed again as a wave of dizziness passed over her.
"Easy now, Ranma," The doctor said. "You hit that bookself pretty hard, and the pressure point Cologne used on you is going to leave you a little disorented."
Ranma blinked a few times, and noticed some of Ukyo's throwing spatulas embedded in the walls and her big one lying on the floor. She then noticed Ukyo on the table next to her.
"Ucchan!" She said and rushed to Ukyo's side, nearly collapseing in the process. "What did you do to her you old mummy?"
"Who are you calling a mummy," Cologne said indignatly. "The girl is fine. She should be waking up anytime now."
"You better hope so, cause if you hurt her..." Ranma let the threat hang. Beside her, Ukyo moaned and slowly opened her eyes. Ranma sighed in releif.
"Oh, my head," Ukyo groaned. "Anyone get the number of that truck?"
"It's okay, Ucchan," Ranma said.
"Ranchan, I had this horrible dream that you were a stuck a girl and..." Ukyo stopped as she realized where she was. "Ah, shit."
"I think that she is going to recover," Cologne said wryly. Ukyo sat up with Ranma's help.
They both gave Cologne the evil eye. Cologne sighed.
"You still are not convinced of this are you former son-in-law," she said.
"I ain't pregnant," Ranma said. "And thats all there is to it."
"What reason would I have to lie?"
"To get back at me for putting Shampoo in the hospital," Ranma said.
"And don't think she's off the hook yet," Ukyo added. "She's still got to deal with me when she gets out, so don't go trying to sneak away when they're done with her."
"I take it that you are formally challenging Shampoo?" Cologne asked.
"Take it however you want to, sugar," Ukyo said.
Cologne nodded, then turned her attention back to Ranma.
"As for you, Ranma, if you do not believe me, then what of the young Doctor here, hmmm? Do you trust him?"
"Well...," Ranma said.
"I swear by all three thousand years of my amazon heritage that I am telling you the truth,
Saotome," Cologne said.
"She is telling the truth, Ranma," Doctor Tofu said. "You are going to have a baby. I am sorry."
Ranma looked at both of them, her face contorted in anger. She clentched her fist and her battle aura began to glow. Then suddenly the glow faded, and her body went limp. The anger on her face was replaced by shame and hopelessness. She slumped down on the table beside Ukyo.
"Doc wouldn't lie to me, not about something like this," she said. "I, I guess this means I really am a freak."
"Oh, Ranchan," Ukyo said and put her arms around her. Ranma didn't resist as Ukyo pulled her close. She didn't say a word as the others talked. She didn't register what they were saying anymore than that sounds were coming out of their mouths. She wanted nothing more at that moment then to curl into a little ball and die. The anger was still there, but felt somehow detached, like a fire seen through a window.
She didn't say a word when Ukyo took her hand and led her out of the clinic. Ukyo, Tofu, and Cologne felt it would be best if Ranma stayed with Ukyo for a while instead of going back home. As they walked down the street, Ukyo put her hand around Ranma's shoulders to support and guide her. She was worried about her fiance. Ranma was taking this very hard, not that she herself was taking it all that well, and Ukyo was not use to Ranma acting so depresed. She did not like seeing her so hurt. When Ranma suddenly stopped, Ukyo looked at her anxiously.
"Ucchan, can you let go of me for a second," Ranma said quietly.
"Sure, Ranchan," Ukyo said letting go and stepping away. Ranma started breathing deeply,
then took a deep breath and screamed. When she stopped screaming, she began to pace,
and went into a semi-coherent tirade. Ukyo watched her rant and rave and felt relief
flow through her. The other people on the street were giving them strange looks, and
moving as far away from them as possible, but Ukyo didn't really care. To her, an
angry Ranma was better than a depressed one. She waited patiently for the red head to
calm down.
"... and take her bonbari and shove it where the sun don't shine!" Ranma finished at last, breathing heavily. She felt slightly better. -Maybe I should start breaking bricks like Akane does,- she thought. -That girl maybe on to something.-
"Feel better, sugar," Ukyo asked. Ranma nodded. "Good, but I'm sorry, sugar, Shampoo's mine. I will take all your suggestions into consideration, though to tell the truth, I don't know where I'm going to find rabid wombat."
Ranma nodded and Ukyo put her arm around her again. They were about to begin on their way again, when Ranma heard a voice that turned her blood to ice and make her heart want to stop.
-Please, god, not her, not now! Please anyone else but her!-
"Ranko?" the voice said again.
-Ranko?- Ukyo thought, and felt Ranma stiffen, and could almost feel the other girl's temperature drop. She looked at the woman who was walking towards them. She was dressed in a kimono and was carrying something wrapped in a bundle. She looked very familiar to Ukyo, but she couldn't place her.
"Auntie Saotome," Ranma said putting on a forced smile, "What are you doing here?"
"Well," Nodoka Saotome said. "I was on my way to the Tendo Dojo when I heard this dreadful commotion and came over to see what was going on."
"Oh that, heh, heh, that was nothing," Ranko replied nervously. Nodoka looked at Ranko, and then at the other girl who had her arm around her.
"And who is your friend here, Ranko, dear?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah," Ranko said. "Auntie Saotome, this is my best-friend Ukyo Kuonji. Ukyo, this is my Auntie Saotome. She's Ranma's mother."
The girl, Ukyo, looked startled for a moment, the bowed politely.
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Saotome," Ukyo said, and gave Ranko a curious look. Nodoka smiled to herself. She had always worried about the fact that Ranko didn't seem to have any friends. Ranko always appeared sad and lonely to her. Looking at the two of them, Nodoka could see that they were very close, and Nodoka wanted very much to hug the girl Ukyo and tell her how glad she was that she was Ranko's friend.
"Call me Auntie, dear," she said looking at the brown haired girl fondly. Ukyo blushed.
"Okay, um, Auntie Saotome," she said. Nodoka beamed.
"Well, since we've all meet, we can all walk to the dojo together," Nodoka said. She frowned when the two girls paled slightly.
"I'm afraid Ranma's not at the dojo, Auntie Saotome," Ranko said. Nodoka felt her happiness of a moment before begin to fade.
"I see," she said. Though she tried to hide her disappointment, it was clear on her face.
Ranma couldn't take it. To much had already happened to her, and the sight of her mother's
sadness was more than she could take. She grabbed Nodoka and squeezed her tight. Nodoka
looked down at the girl in surprise, then embraced her back.
"Oh, my Ranko," she said fondly, "you are such a sweet child."
"I, I just don't like seeing you sad," Ranko said with a sniff.
-Is she crying,- Nodoka thought. -That's not like Ranko at all.-
She looked at Ukyo and saw the worry and concern on the other girl's face.
"Is something wrong, Ranko?" she asked stroking her fingers through the girl's hair.
"I just couldn't take you looking so sad," Ranko said. "I-l love you, Mo-Auntie Saotome"
Nodoka squeezed her tight and kissed the girl on the top of the head.
"My dear, child," she said tears coming to her eyes. "And I love you too, Ranko."
Ranko pulled away enough to wipe her eyes, and looked up at Nodoka. She came to a decision then.
"Ranma's not home, Auntie," she said, "But Genma is. Ranma went on this trip by himself."
"My husband is home?" Nodoka asked surprised.
"Yes, Ma'am," Ranko said. Nodoka's face brightened a little.
"When we get there, why don't you let me go in first so you can surprise him?" Ranko said,
and a strange smile appeared on her face. "I'm sure he would just LOVE the surprise."
"Well, if you say so, dear," Nodoka said. The three of them started for the dojo. The two girl held back a little whispering to themselves. Nodoka let them have their privacy for what she was obviously girl talk. She was so happy that Ranko had a friend she didn't want to intrude. Even if that friend appeared to be just as big a tomboy as Ranko. Nodoka smiled slightly. That just gave her two girls to work on.
Meanwhile, Ranma was filling Ukyo in on the whole situation.
"So," Ukyo whispered, "because of that Jackass Genma's promise to make you a 'man among men'
if she finds out about your curse she'll make the two of you kill yourselves? Jeez, it sounds
just like something he would do."
"Yup," Ranma whispered. "Just another thing my loving father has done to make my life hell.
Everytime Mom comes over I become Ranko Tendo, and Pop becomes my pet Mr. Panda. I know
she misses us, and I hate lying to her, but I sure as hell can't tell her the truth now.
Pop, on the other hand, there's no reason HE can't spend time with her, at least. If it
makes her happy, I tie him to a chair and force him to stay with her, but she is seeing him
today."
Ukyo giggled evilly.
"He's not going to like that, Ranchan," she whispered smiling broadly.
"Well, it ain't about what he likes, it's about her," Ranma replied.
"You're preaching to the converted, sugar," Ukyo said. "Anything that Genma doesn't like is okay by me."
When they reached the Tendo's, they had Nodoka wait outside while they went in. Kasumi greeted them at the door.
"Why, welcome home Ranma," She said cheerfully. "Your home early, and you brought you little friend Ukyo too."
"Hi, Kasumi," Ranma said. "Say, where's Pop?"
"Mr. Saotome and father are playing go out back as usual," Kasumi said.
"Good," Ranma said with a smile.
"Who are you talking to Kasumi?" a female voice asked. Akane then walked in. She looked at Ranma and for a moment, relief flashed in her eyes, then she saw Ukyo and her expression darkened.
"What are you doing here," She asked angrily. "I thought you were supposed to be training in the mountains. What happened? Not enough girls there for you, you pervert."
Ranma winced. Ukyo looked at her rival and started to take a step towards Akane, but Ranma placed her hand on her shoulder and stopped her. Ranma gave Ukyo a pleading look, and the chef, with some difficulty reined in her temper.
"Nice to see you too, Akane," Ranma said. Akane looked from Ukyo to him and frowned.
-Something's going on here and I don't like it,- she thought.
"Kasumi, could you go get Pop for me," Ranma said. "I got something very important to tell him."
"Of course," Kasumi said and left. Ukyo and Ranma exchanged a look. Akane suddenly felt cold.
-The two of them didn't elope did they?- she thought, becoming very worried. Looking at them,
she could see that they were standing very close to each other. -If they got married, I will
kill him.-
Kasumi returned quickly with a curious Mr. Saotome and Mr. Tendo. Nabiki also followed in to see what was going on.
"Cutting your training early," Genma said. "Sloppy, boy, very sloppy. So, what did you have to tell me?"
Ukyo looked at Ranma, who nodded. Ukyo then walked over to Genma and took his arm. Everyone,
especially Genma looked at her in shock.
"Pop," Ranma said in a very sweet and girly voice. "I have someone very important I want you to meet."
"Oh," Genma said and gulped. Ranma nodded and went back out side.
"Saotome, what is the meaning of this," Soun asked looking at Ukyo.
"I have no clue, Tendo," Genma replied.
"Don't mind me, honey," Ukyo said. "I'm just here to lend my good friend Genma moral support."
-And to make sure he doesn't bolt,- she thought with a smile.
The door suddenly opened, and Ranma walked in, followed close behind by Nodoka. Everyone in the room stared in open mouth shock, except for Ukyo, who smiled, and Genma, who having no where to hide did the next best thing. He fainted.
Lunch that day was for the most part a very nervous event. Nodoka sat next to Genma fussing over him and asking him about their son as he laughed nervously and scratched his head. Every so often he shot Ranma and Ukyo dirty look. Those two ignored him. They sat side by side with identical smug expressions as they ate. Everyone else sat waiting for the explosion.
"This is very good, Kasumi," Ukyo commented as she ate.
"W-why thank you," Kasumi said. Even she was feeling the pressure.
"Say, Uncle Saotome," Ranko asked. "Why don't you tell Auntie about some of the training you and Ranma did."
"Yes," Nodoka said with a smile. She wanted to hear all she could about her son. Genma big sweated.
"I, errr, I don't thing you would find them very interesting, No-chan," he said.
"Oh, come on Uncle," Ranko said with a malicious smile. "Why don't you tell her about how you taught him the Cat-Fist. That's a real good story."
"Hey, yeah," Ukyo joined in. "And then you can tell her how I met you and Ranma the first time.
I think she would be really interested in that."
"Or you can tell her about China," Ranko said. "Didn't you say you and Ranma saw some very interesting things there?"
Nodoka looked at her husband hopefully. Genma looked close to panic.
Ukyo snickered, while the Tendo's looked at her and Ranma in shock.
"I, um, well, that is, um," Genma sputtered.
"Auntie, can you give me more cooking lessons while your here," Akane said. Nodoka turned to her and smiled. Genma gave her a worshipful gaze for the rescue.
"Of course I can dear," Nodoka said. "Ranko, Ukyo, would either of you like to join us?"
"That's okay, Auntie," Ukyo said. "I know how to cook. I own and operate my own restaurant."
"Really," Nodoka said in surprise.
"Yeah, Ucchan's one of the best cooks I know," Ranko said. Ukyo blushed and punched Ranko in the shoulder.
"Stop it, Ranchan," she said. "You're embarrassing me."
"But its true, Ucchan."
Akane seethed. -How dare they carry one like that, right in front of my face no less!-
Nabiki, who was sitting next to her sister, looked at Akane and slid a little further away.
"Ranko, dear," Nodoka said. "Where your pet Mr. Panda. I brought him some nice bamboo to eat."
"Why, I have no idea?" Ranko said innocently looking around as if just noticing he was gone.
"Uncle Saotome, do you know where he is? It would be so TERRIBLE if anything has happened to
him."
"Tragic," Ukyo agreed.
"Yeah, Uncle," Nabiki said. You to Nabiki, the look Genma gave her said.
She just shrugged. No use letting Ukyo and Ranma have all the fun.
"He, he went with Ranma," Genma said at last finding inspiration. "The mountain air is very good for Pandas."
After they finished eating, they all sat around drinking tea. Genma looked at the silent Ranko and Ukyo and wondered what new torture they were planning for him. Nodoka was also looking at the two girls.
"So tell me, Ukyo," She said. "How do you know my son?"
Ranko and Ukyo looked at her uncertainly for a moment. Genma smirked now that the tables were turned.
"Ranma and I met when we were kid," Ukyo said. "But he... moved away. I met him again when I started school here. He, Akane, Ranko, and me are in the same class. He and Ranko are my best friends."
"I see," Nodoka said. -So she's friends with both of them. I think I will like this girl-
"As one of his friends, can you tell me about my son?"
Ukyo reddened, and Ranko suddenly looked very nervous.
"Um, okay, Auntie," Ukyo said and she began to tell Nodoka about Ranma. As she talked, Nodoka frowned slightly. The girl was describing Ranma more as a girl talks about the man they love than about a friend. Nodoka glanced at Akane and saw that she was glaring at Ukyo and gritting her teeth.
-Ah,- Nodoka thought. -I see.-
When Ukyo finished, Nodoka looked at her thoughtfully.
"Ukyo, dear," she said. "You do know that Ranma and Akane are engaged, don't you?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Ukyo said and shot Genma a murderous glance.
"And how do you feel about that, dear," Nodoka said. Ukyo thought for a moment, then looked at Akane.
"I've told Akane before that I don't plan on changing my, relationship, with Ranma," she said.
The two girls stared at each other, both refusing to look away. Nodoka frowned.
-This situation will need looking into,- she thought.
"Ranko," she said. "What do you think about Akane and Ranma getting married."
All eyes turned to a Ranko who was trying to sink into the floor.
"Yes, Ranko," Mr. Tendo said giving her a don't-you-dare-pick-Ukyo-over-my-baby look.
"Yeah, 'Ranko'," Akane growled.
"I, I really don't have a opinion on the matter," Ranko said.
"Come on, Ranko," Nabiki said smiling. "You must have something to say."
Silently, Ukyo placed her hand on Ranko's and gave it a squeeze. Akane turned red.
"Ranko no baka!" she shouted, and threw the thing she was holding at Ranko. It was only
after it had left her hand that Akane realized she had been holding a cup of hot tea.
Ranko shrieked as the hot liquid splashed all over her.
"What'd you do that for you stupid, violent tomboy?" Ranko said jumping to her feet.
"Akane," Nodoka said frowning at her. "You could have burned your cousin."
"Yeah," Ukyo said standing up. "You okay, Ranchan."
"Yeah, but I got to go change clothes now," she said giving Akane a hostile look.
"Come on, sugar, I'll go with you." And the two of them left.
"I'll be up in a moment, too," Nodoka said. -I'll pick something more feminine to wear. If I let her choose, she'll probably come down in boy's clothes again.-
She turned around to find the Tendos and her husband all lying on the floor.
-Did I miss something? -
End Part 4