Ranma found herself outside, walking down a familiar seeming street halfway between the Tendo home and Furinkan High. She looked at herself. She first noticed her slender arms before noticing the rest of her shorter, more well endowed frame and realizing this was the dream world. She let out a gasp. The frustration and sadness she had felt falling asleep had quickly dissipated, replaced with a sense of calmness, warmth, and joy.

Ranma let the warm sunlight drape over her and she walked down the street. Meeting the canal, she instinctively jumped on the rail and skipped along, looking at the water and seeing her silhouette reflected.

She jumped off the railing as she approached the shopping district. She took a deep breath of clean air.

Here, at least, she could be herself. She stretched out her arms and wondered what the dream world her for her this time.


夢ばかりじゃない少女

Yume Bakari Jya Nai Shoujo ~ Not Just a Dream Girl

Chapter 6

Defensive Posturing, Destructive Impulses


Gauging her surroundings, Ranma saw a Chinese restaurant on the corner of the road she knew didn't exist in the real world. Its sign was prominently displayed above the entrance: Nekohanten. The name made her wary until she sniffed the air and the traces of ginger, garlic, chili, fermented black bean, and barbecue pork coming from the building. That was all the motivation she needed to investigate. Ranma let out a cheer, relishing the higher pitch of her laughter as she did a cartwheel down the street and entered the building.

Inside, it seemed to be laid out as a standard Chinese restaurant. On a central table she saw a lovely sight that eclipsed most models and artwork: an extra-large bowl of piping hot ramen. "Ooh, extra pork and bamboo shoots," Ranma said aloud.

"Hey, little lady." A voice broke Ranma out of her reverie. She realized It was Daisuke, in the guise of Ryouga, sitting next to the seat at the table with the ramen. He smiled at her and waved using a spoon. "I got mapo tofu in mine."

"Dai! You're looking better already." Ranma smiled as she sat down and started eating.

"Yeah, no cane needed here. How are you holding up?"

Ranma looked up, slurped a stray noodle and gave Daisuke a thumbs up. "A lot better than I was earlier today." She spread her arms wide, stretching out. "Honestly, It's nice to look like myself." She pointed at herself, emphasizing the spots that were different from her usual form. "I even sound pretty nice! God, I really needed this."

"How's Akane?"

Ranma's bouncy cheer slowed and she found herself biting her lip before replying, "I dunno. There was something going down at home with Nabiki being kind of a bitch and blabbing, but somehow Mr. Tendo's still in the dark. Not sure how she's takin' it all in, to be honest."

Daisuke gave a slow nod. "Well. Maybe we could all use a break for a night."

"Where's everyone else?"

"Hiro and I—I mean 'Mousse' and 'Shampoo'—apparently work here." Sayuri, as though on cue, appeared as Cologne's supposed young great-granddaughter, purple hair, silk shirt, pants, and apron completing the look. She carried three plates of gyoza as she walked over and set them down as she sat. "Good thing this uniform uses flats."

"No kidding," Hiroshi's voice said as he came out the kitchen door, two bowls of ramen in his hands, which were otherwise hidden by the long sleeves of his robes. Like Sayuri, Hiroshi was the spitting image of Mousse, particularly the long black hair held back by raised glasses. "Yeah, good thing I can still see." He gave a bowl to Sayuri and then sat down himself.

"Um, Hiro. Mine is the Shio Ramen. Yours was the Tonkotsu."

"Oh, yeah." Hiroshi said sheepishly as he swapped the bowls around.

Ranma giggled despite herself as she grabbed chopsticks and slurped up some noodles. Afterwards she looked down and frowned as small flecks of broth ended up on her shirt. "Aww, I know this is a dream, but I like this shirt. I didn't realize having a nice chest made ramen harder to eat."

"Oh yeah." Sayuri said as she ate a gyoza. "Boobs and bits of food falling on them go together. I know some girls use forks just to avoid getting their blouses stained." Her face downturned. "Not like I have to worry about it in the real world," she muttered, obviously annoyed. "I'd kill for a body like this."

"Hey, I like you, even if you're flat chested!."

Sayuri turned and looked at Hiroshi. "I will wreck you."

"I mean, That is, You're pretty no matter what and I just want you to be happy?" Hiroshi squeaked out in a panic.

"...good answer, Hiro." Sayuri smirked. "You're a nice boyfriend."

Hiroshi sighed in relief.

"Even if you're kinda short for a guy."

"Eh?"

"Well, shorter than Mousse is."

Hiroshi grimaced. "Okay, okay. I get it. I meant what I said, though." He pouted.

"Eat your ramen, 'Mousse', Something's probably gonna happen soon," Daisuke said.

"Yeah, not that you mention it, where's Akane? Or the ghoul for that matter?" Ranma asked, slurping up broth from the bowl.

No sooner had Ranma asked when the door seemingly shoved itself open and Akane flew into the restaurant, crashing on top of one of tables causing empty teacups and chopsticks to fly up in the air. Ranma jumped up and ran over to the broken table. She bent over and reached an arm out. "That was a hell of an entrance."

Akane reached out and grabbed Ranma's comparatively slender arm and stood slowly, rubbing her back. "Great. I fell asleep and then suddenly I found the old ghoul smacking me around with her staff like I was a croquet ball."

"Well I thought it was a good way to get warmed up." Cologne emerged, standing in between the assembled dreamers. "Now that we're all here, perhaps we can get some training in, I think."

Ranma beamed and jumped out of her chair, bouncing on her feet a little. Even her red pigtail was flailing side to side. "Heck yeah! What're we doing today?"

Akane looked at Ranma and couldn't help but be reminded of an overeager puppy.

Cologne began, "Well, if the original timeline is still something to go by, there may be a difficult challenge ahead. If I recall..."

The door was shoved open and a tall, slender figure strode in. Their hair was silver-white and she was dressed in traditional garb. They were flanked by two others, one taller, if a bit lanky, the other shorter, but stockier. Most noticeably, their eyes seemed blacked out and their emotions, expressionless.

"What the heck are they?" 'Mousse' asked aloud.

"Xiadou's agents. Not originally, but she has altered things once more. This is bad: even in the original timeline, this was a hard fought battle, but now being possessed by her influence..."

"Ellllllderrrrr... Where is the Kaisuifuu..." a husky, raspy voice emanated from the tall figure.

"Wait..." Ranma said, her eyes narrowing as she stood and took up a defensive Biu Ma stance, "They look familiar. Like from the photos Master Guo sent us."

Cologne nodded. "The anthropologist and his wife. Yes, child. The one in the middle was the child of the one you saw in the photo. He was the Dragon King and the one here now is Prince Herb of The Musk."

"Right. We saw that name before on the old map," Sayuri said.

Cologne nodded, "They were a fierce tribe of powerful warriors. They used Jusenkyo as a place to gain the strengths of creatures to add to their own. When Xiadou fomented the war between us, the Phoenix, and the Musk, they were the fiercest and hardest to defend against. Herb's lineage was that of a dragon. The other two I believe were his attendants, Lime and Mint."

"THE KAISUIFUUUUU" Herb echoed.

"So Xiadou decided they'd be useful to crush us here and now?" Daisuke asked.

"Not if we nip it in the bud here," Akane replied as she dashed towards the three shadowy figures.

"No, stop!" Cologne yelled, "It's too dangerous!"

Before Akane could react, Herb raised his arm up too fast for Akane to block and she was thrown back to the other side of the room. "Patthetic..." Herb spoke in a low raspy voice.

"Akane!" Ranma jumped off the table she was at and caught Akane before she hit the wall, pulling her tightly in her arms and she landed on her feet and set Akane down.

"Okay... I don't know what crap you had planned fer us with these assholes, Xiadou, and I know she can take care of herself but you don't hurt Akane. Not if I'm around!"

Lime and Mint moved to defend, but Herb raised a hand and they moved aside.

With a loud kiai, Ranma ran and jumped at Herb, trying to strike with a last minute flying side kick aimed at his solar plexus. The shrouded figure turned and raised his elbow, easily blocking Ranma's foot. Ranma grimaced, pushing off of Herb's arm to try and spin in mid air to hit Herb in the head using her left knee in a Khao Khong knee strike. Her foot felt like she had stepped on dry ice, bone-chillingly cold and burning at the same time.

Herb merely lowered his head with an ease of motion, like one would button a shirt, and dodged Ranma's knee strike. He followed through with an almost languid strike to Ranma's collarbone that nevertheless knocked her down to the floor in front of him.

Ranma hissed in pain as she grabbed her shoulder and looked up, seeing the eerie black shimmering eyes in the Dragon Prince under the hood he wore.

"Sad little worm..." Herb said, looking down at her and tapping his foot impatiently.

Ranma jumped back, barely avoiding a swipe from Herb. "I ain't done yet!" She drew her arms together in front of her chest. She summoned up all the confidence she could muster, taking the relief and joy of being herself in the dream. Those feelings flowed through her ki, condensing into an orb of blue-white heat. With a thrust of her arms and a sure smile, she launched it towards Herb and yelled, "Mouko Takabisha!"

"Silencing Dragon Strike." Herb spoke quietly as he raised his arm. The sleeve of his cloak seemed to chop through the air and leave a trail of black energy in front of him, as though he had painted the air in front of him. The black energy met the ball of hot ki. Almost immediately, the orb of energy dissipated into the air and fizzled out with a soft hiss and a few tiny sparks before being snuffed out..

"I grow tired of this mummery. I will not be deterred from my task..."

Herb closed the gap with seemingly two steps and grabbed Ranma by the collar of her shirt. Ranma was thrown through the table with her half-eaten ramen and against the back wall of the restaurant. The bowl of ramen fell on her, the hot broth changing her back into her birth body.

"Innnnteresting..." Herb remarked as Ranma lay there prone and groaning.

"Now Elder... where is-"

"It is not here!" Cologne "The artifact you seek is on Mount Horai!"

"Wait!" Ranma said weakly as she got up on one leg. Her legs were shaky until she stood up fully. "We ain't done here!" She summoned her strength and rushed back towards Herb.

Herb motioned to the attendant to his left, "Lime, the ladle." Lime produced a small bucket and ladle. In a perfunctory motion, Herb grabbed the ladle and flung a small amount of brackish water on Ranma. With the handle of the ladle, Herb tapped Ranma in the skull, sending her back down to the ground in a crumpled thud.

"Be grateful I did not kill you outright." Herb looked back at Lime and Mint, "Come! We make for Mount Horai." The trio began to depart.

"I ain't done!" Ranma slowly stood, grabbing her head as she ran out of the restaurant to pursue. A second later, Ranma's body was thrown back inside, landing in almost the same heap of broken chairs, tables, and bowls Akane had moments earlier.

"To the mountains!" Herb hissed out as he and his attendants disappeared from sight..

As soon as they departed, Sayuri ran to Ranma, who was slowly getting up. "Are you okay!?" Ranma grunted affirmatively as she stood, stumbling slightly as she felt a great pain on her shoulder. Ranma looked down and took stock of herself. Aside from the feelings from the day before bubbling back up and the soreness from getting beaten up, she seemed fine.

"What was that!?" Akane began, "What did they want so badly? The Kaisuifuu? What did they do to Ranma?"

"As it was supposed to happen, Herb came looking for an artifact to 'unlock' a curse. He was cursed by Jusenkyo the same as Ranma originally was, but he became stuck via an artifact known as the Chisuiton. He came to Japan to find the artifact that could reverse it, the Kaisuifuu, which was located in a shrine on Mount Horai."

"He meant to come here. Originally, there was an altercation between Herb and Ranma and, using the ladle, locked Ranma in female form. Things have diverged from Xiadou's meddling, evidently."

"How so?" Hiroshi asked the room. "Ranma seems normal."

Daisuke narrowed his eyes and grabbed a glass of water next to him and flung it at Ranma. When Ranma's body didn't change to the smaller female she had been a moment earlier, Daisuke said, "there's our divergence."

Ranma, after the shock of coldness faded, looked down. Her arms suddenly felt too long and her chest too broad and flat. Her breathing went a bit ragged. "Thi- this sucks!" Ranma cried out. Upon noticing Akane look at her, she added, "uh, I mean, at least before I had a choice and now I don't."

Akane nodded, though not without her brow furrowing. Behind her, Daisuke, as Ryouga, put a hand on his face.

"Well it seems we will have to convene a mission to Mount Horai," Cologne announced. "While, originally, it would have been Ryouga and Mousse with you on this mission, this one," she pointed to Ryouga. "His ki is still rebuilding. I'll see he gets some work in. 'Shampoo' and 'Mousse' shall accompany you."

"What about Akane?"

"I need someone to protect the boy if Xiadou decides to disrupt us while you travel. Akane is the strongest one here."

Ranma nodded... She looked down at her current form and sighed. "Things're never fair, even in the dreamscape..." She then felt a jolt of pain on her forehead as Cologne hit her with her staff.

"Fool! The point is to make you despondent. Xiadou is trying to get you to give up before we even started! Your path is clear: defeat Herb and his minions, find the Kaisuifuu and you may be able to stymie Xiadou and her plans."


The next morning, it seemed to Ranma the world was somehow greyer than it was before. She trained on her own in the morning and the greyness made it hard to see what time it was. She had barely enough time to change into her uniform, eat breakfast and hand a package addressed to Master Guo for Kasumi to send before leaving for school with Akane.

Walking across the bridge which crossed the canal on the way to school, she noted the equally grey sky. It was overcast enough, when she walked past a storefront, the glass window reflected her reflection. Ranma held her breath and averted her gaze. She stopped a moment and recentered herself.

You can get through this. There's other things to worry about.

"Ranma?"

Ranma opened her eyes and saw Akane, ten steps ahead and looking back.

"Are you okay?"

Ranma stood there, slack jawed, "I... I guess... just cold maybe?" Ranma let out a sigh.

Akane frowned, but replied, "Okay. We could always jog to school if that'd warm you up."

Ranma thought about it for a second. "You know what? Okay. Last one there buys the other a drink at the vending machine!" Ranma took off like a shot, surprising Akane momentarily before she took off running after her.

Akane let out a groan as Ranma just edged her out as they entered the front gate of the school. "Aaaah, no fair, you started running first!"

"Hey you had like 2 meters in front of me," Ranma stuck out her tongue at Akane.

Akane rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay. Let's get to class."

As they entered the classroom, Ranma and Akane felt a chill in the air. While there were only a few students in the classroom chatting and messing around, when they opened the door, the few students quieted up and grouped into small clusters. The whispering made what was said impossible to hear, but the fact that Akane, and by association Ranma, were the topic of conversation all too obvious.

Ranma looked at Akane. For her part, she gave Ranma a resigned shrug and walked to her desk.

Ranma wanted to say something. She looked at the group, particularly the two boys in tracksuits, with an angry glare, but they just ignored her after giving her a smirk. Ranma sighed and opened up her new journal.

God, people are so stupid. Why's it their business who Akane likes? She doesn't even like anyone right now! God Yuka is such a bitch. Why does she have it out for me?

I know it's unfair that it's hard for two girls to be together, but it's not my fault... I'm not even a guy and yet I get shi- Ranma quickly erased the last word dumped on because I can't tell everyone. And now, Xiadou and Herb messed things up in the dream.

Ranma found herself starting to get overcome with feelings, so she stopped and regained her composure.

I'm going to train Daisuke, Hiroshi, and Sayuri as best I can. Akane and I are going to get stronger. I'm gonna be able to help her as best I can, because I...

Ranma held the pencil in her hand.

I...

The door slid open and Hiroshi and Sayuri came in, followed by Daisuke, bundled up in a scarf, flat cap, and gloves along with his uniform. Ranma closed her journal and put it away. She was about to stand to talk to them when the homeroom teacher came in and the day began in earnest.

During the day, when she could, Ranma would watch over Akane and keep an eye on anyone who looked at her suspiciously. There were a few times, between classes mostly, where a stern glare was needed to forestall anyone from one of the other 2nd year classes saying something.

Mid-day, Ranma stood outside. She saw the looks from students, especially from 2-A look at her, give her a smirk or, especially the girls, look at her, then at their friend group, then laugh before moving on.

"Oy." She felt a tug at her sleeve and her concentration broke. It was Daisuke.

"You gonna actually eat lunch? We got ten minutes."

"How's Akane?"

"Fine, fine. Hiroshi and Sayuri are talking about what the kitchen of the Nekohanten looked like. It's a good distraction."

Ranma sighed. "Good. Yeah, I guess I could eat... We're giving it a try again after class today, right?"

"Yeah, especially after last night, it's time to start fighting."

Ranma gave Daisuke a solemn nod.

"Hey," he said. Ranma blinked. "How are you doing?"

"...fine," she mumbled.

Daisuke put a hand to her shoulder. "I said it before at the hospital, don't bullshit me. I know you're in a bad spot, but how are you holding up?"

Ranma bit her lip before replying, "Not great, if I gotta be honest. The dream was my escape from..." she pointed to herself, "this." She slumped, "Xiadou really knows how to hit me where it hurts."

Daisuke nodded. "Yeah, emptiness and despair, I know it too well. We'll get your curse back. In the meantime..." Daisuke trailed off. He lightly tapped his cane as he leaned against the door. "You eat lunch. You're still a growing girl," he remarked, with a slightly affected paternal voice.

Ranma looked around nervously to see if anyone had heard or seen. She covered her face. "Yeah... yeah I should. Thanks."

Ranma walked back inside and wolfed down the lunch made for her by Kasumi.

After classes, Ranma and Akane walked ahead of the others, making a beeline towards the club room.

"Thank goodness for small favors. Class wasn't so bad today," Akane said.

"Just the whispers and laughing," Ranma replied.

"Hey, I was half expecting tacks in my shoes or notes in my desk calling me a 'digusting pig' or telling me to 'kill yourself', so talking behind my back is a freaking win in my book." Akane let out a small laugh, "Let's just go to the club room. I'm in the mood to punch something."

Her mood was dampened as they entered the space and saw only two members in dougi and stretching. There were four others, but they were standing to one side of the practice space, still in their school uniforms. Ranma hung back as Akane walked up the four. "What's going on?"

The four students looked awkward, one of the tugging on his shirt collar as they looked at each other. Finally, one of the four, a third-year boy who was a second-degree black belt and whom Akane had high hopes for in the upcoming Winter tournament, bowed deeply to her.

"Club President Tendo. We just thought it was best if we told you in person, but..."

The second, a second-year girl who had joined last Spring from Class 2-A continued.

"We're quitting the Kempo club."

Akane blinked, "Why? If there' anything you disagree with how the club is run or—"

The older boy shook his head, as did the other three. "It's not that you're a bad president or sensei, but..."

Another one of the group, a first year girl said, "I don't want to be the focus of any rumors. We don't want any trouble and now that the club has a reputation..."

"What do you mean by reputation?" Akane asked.

The leader of the four shook his head. "I'm sure you're aware, Club 're sorry."

The four students bowed and left the club room in a hurried manner.

Ranma walked up to Akane and asked, "you gonna be okay?"

"What else can I do? I can't force them to stay, even if they're total stupid bastards that I'd like to—" Akane sighed as she and Ranma began preparing. Akane put in her dougi over her gym shirt and shorts and Ranma stripped down to a tank top, but kept his uniform pants on.

Once she was ready, she walked to the two remaining members and said, "Hey, thank you for staying. I appreciate it." She bowed to them.

"I mean, you're a good president, Tendo." Hana Koizumi, a second year girl, began, "They were saying some really crass stuff about the club, especially 2-A and 2-B."

"Yeah..." a first year boy from a different class added, "Miwa-Senpai from 2-A was going on about how '2-F is filled with degenerates so no wonder the club is like that'. I can't help but not get mad at them for you."

Akane smiled. "Just remember we don't start fights."

"You merely finish them," A familiar voice said.

"Kuno-Senpai," Ranma said, a bit dismissively. "Lack of sleep must've rotted your brain, this ain't the kendo practice space."

"I'm aware of that, little lady," Kuno said with a smirk, "I'm making a last minute change of club."

"Aren't you Kendo Club Captain?" Ranma asked.

Kuno shrugged, "Yeah, well I only did Kendo so I'd have a reason to carry a weapon around town. And it was fun being Captain with my own minions, but honestly I'm kind of over it. Besides, it's almost winter, 3rd years usually step back for exams and shit, so I got a good out."

Akane looked a bit skeptical as she said, "so... you want to do kenpo now?"

"I was thinking I'd broaden my horizons, maybe save a few damsels in distress..." When he saw Ranma frown, "platonically of course. I don't wanna hog the spotlight from the heroines, of course."

Akane replied, "Hey, I said to lay off Ranma. I don't get why you have it in for him so much."

"Saotome doesn't seem to mind."

Almost as if on cue, Ranma replied very convincingly to no one in the room save Akane, "Y-yeah I do! Lay off, Kuno... Idiot."

Akane rubbed her temple, "Okay. If you're willing to behave, you can join in the workouts."

"Don't forget about us!" Some more voices piped up as Sayuri, Hiroshi, and Daisuke ran in, all wearing gym clothes rather than proper dougi.

"Oh, you made it!"

"Sorry," Sayuri said. "We got distracted with something in class."

"It's my fault, really. I'm a bit slow getting around. Hopefully not for much longer," Daisuke added, raising his cane. "I'll just do what I can for now."

Akane smiled. "Okay, Kempo-Club is now in session!"


The next few weeks passed by uneventfully, both asleep and awake. The time was punctuated only by the few hours after school where Ranma, Akane, Hiroshi, Sayuri, and Daisuke trained in martial arts. Akane mostly led the club's remaining members and Kuno (who knew more than he let on in their forms) while Ranma began teaching the others what she called 'quick n' dirty' Anything Goes Martial Arts. In truth, it was half self-defense techniques and half a mix of the basic forms in Kenpo, Tae Kwon Do, and Wing Chun, emphasizing creating defensible spaces, ways to block incoming strikes, and exploiting openings in enemy defenses to strike with a well placed fist or kick.

On one such afternoon, Akane was walking to the P.E. shed after class. Kuno had suggested a few extra mats for a sparring session between her and Ranma and she went off to grab a few.

As she made her way around the corner towards the rear of the school, she stopped as someone called out to her.

"Um, Tendo-senpai?" Akane turned around and saw a student, probably a first year. She was about the same height as her, but with longer hair up and in a high ponytail. She was also, perhaps tellingly, wearing a cheerleading uniform, though with tracksuit pants instead of a skirt, given how chilly the autumn air was becoming.

"Um... is something wrong?"

The girl looked at Akane a bit, her brow furrowed and Akane grew somewhat suspicious.

"Ah, you see... I'm sorry if it's out of the blue, but you're always around with the other second years and I needed to speak with you in private so..."

Akane took a half-step. This seemed innocent enough, but she couldn't help but worry this was some kind of bullying tactic. She looked around quickly if anyone else was nearby.

"I mean... um.. Well," the girl's voice seemed a bit subdued, emphasized by her clasping her hands and rubbing them, "That is... do you want to go out sometime?"

Akane's arms felt slack. "Huh?"

"Well I mean, I heard about you and I thought you were cute when I saw you at the entrance ceremony in the Spring, but I didn't want to assume anything, but I mean if you like girls, maybe I thought, you wouldn't mind if a first year asked you out on a date? But I understand if I'm being too forward! I just felt like I'd been sitting on my butt for too long without asking..."

Akane felt her composure begin to return, "Well... um..."

"Oh! Sorry. It's Kirijo. Mariko Kirijo! I'm on the cheer squad... which I guess is obvious now and oh jeez I sound like a dork."

"No! You're fine. And well, I'm flattered but..."

Mariko slumped her shoulder, "Is what they're saying wrong? Please don't be mean if I messed up. I just heard that you were interested in girls and—"

Akane shook her head, "No, they're right. I'm gay. It's just... it's not even the rumors, it's just things that are going on... with the club and, um, other things in my life. I don't think I'm ready to date again yet."

Mariko nodded, "I see... I'm sorry for wasting your time, Tendo-senpai." She began to walk away.

"Hey wait," Akane called out. Mariko turned back. "If you'd like, maybe we can be friends? There's not that many girls brave enough to be out in high school, by choice or by force."

Mariko smiled, "I'd like that." she raised an arm to wave goodbye. Akane noticed her rainbow wristband as she waved and ran off.

"Huh."

When she came back Hiroshi was jumping around with Ranma. Hiro jumped about 1 meter in the air and, while spinning once, kicked the air twice before coming back down, swaying a bit as he regained his stance.

"Ah, I can't do it. But I bet you could a Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku,"

" I spin and kick the spot twice."

"Technically it's 3 or 4 times depending on if it's Ryu or Ken. And it's with the same foot."

"Oh, kind of like a Huryo Chagi? But jumping?" Ranma asked, scratching her head.

"Um, yeah, I think. All the kicks happen before you land."

Akane let out a laugh, "You're teaching Ranma Street Fighter moves?"

"I mean, why not? We're learning the basics, so why not some fun stuff? They're cool!" Hiroshi replied.

"Dai says I got Sakura's version down. Shunpuukyaku!" she demonstrated by doing a short springing hop and spin quickly, her leg extended out in a kick before seeming to float back down.

"Yeah, that's pretty much it. Oh, that reminds me. Make sure you call out the move when you do it," Daisuke said. "Like this: Tatsumaki senpuukyaku!"

Ranma cocked her head, but shrugged. "Hey, Akane. Grab one of the kick pads so I can practice. Akane nodded and set herself up about a meter in front of Ranma, holding up the padded red vinyl kick pad.

Ranma nodded and after a second to prepare herself, she jumped and yelled "Tatsumaki Ryuupuukyaku!". In her spin, she kicked the target 3 times with her right foot. On her last rotation, she lifted her left leg and hit the pad with another Tae Kwon Do-inspired back kick. She landed, in a protective stance before relaxing as she heard the small group of club members clap.

"Showoff," Akane joked. "Tornado Dragon Wind Kick?"

"Hey, Anything Goes is about putting your own spin on established forms of combat," Ranma replied. The blush on her face betrayed her bravado.

"Okay, show me that after club. Right now..." Akane pointed to the mats she had brought. "It's time to spar. Maeda and Hiroshi, Sayuri and Koizumi, Kuno, you got your rematch with Ranma."

"Actually, I'll pass. Why don't you ladies fight?" Kuno pointed to Akane and Ranma, "I'll help out Kuroda here,." He pointed at Daisuke.

"He's not healthy enough to full out spar," Akane said.

"I know. I ran my own club, remember? Still, it'd be a waste to just have him sit here. I'll keep it easy on him, okay?"

Akane looked at Daisuke, "You okay with this, dude?"

Daisuke laughed and replied, "I can hit kuno with my cane if he gets too handsy on me." He gave a wink to Kuno and Akane threw up her hands before walking back to Ranma.

"Okay, Looks like we're facing off."

Ranma smirked, "Center ring in this circus, huh?"

Akane and Ranma stood and faced each other, giving a quick bow before starting. Akane tooka wide defensive stance, while Ranma shifted between a traditional Wing Tsun stance and Bird's Tail Grasp, shifting around and moving arhythmically in order to poke at Akane's defenses. Akane was impassive and watched Ranma's posture and torso, rather than her arms and legs.

"On your guard today, huh?"

"Yep. What about you? You're either testing me or you have to use the bathroom."

"Oooh... funny. That kind of joke wouldn't cut it in a manzai act !" Ranma punctuated the last word with a sudden dash towards Akane. She seemed to cause the air to audibly whoosh as she reached Akane instantaneously, her arm out in a strike.

At seemingly the last possible moment, Akane blocked Ranma with an open palm, stopping the force of the blow dead. This definitely made a loud thud, that caused the rest of the room to stop their own spars and gape as Akane countered with her own strike.

Ranma used her free arm to block and knock Akane's punch aside as she spun around Akane's left and dealt a series of light strikes and a roundhouse kick.

Akane took the first strike on the shoulder before she leaned back to dodge the second strike. Using the momentum, she brought her arm back and, in a quick motion, threw her fist forward and lunged at Ranma. Ranma's eyes widened just before the blow. With her right leg extended out in a kick that went above Akane's head as she lunged, she hastily jumped back with the left.

The other club members let out a collective gasp as they saw Ranma jump up and begin to spiral as she flipped herself to an upright pose. Even Akane, still in the throes of her follow-through, looked up as it felt like Ranma hung in the air at the apex of her jump. For a second, it felt as though Ranma existing mere inches from the high ceiling was as natural as the rafters.

Ranma found her balance as she began to descend. If anything, she felt as though she was falling slower than she had jumped. She was in outer space looking down at the earth and at Akane. Ranma looked straight at her and there were too many emotions to process. But still, she felt weightless, free, most herself at this moment.

Just as her toes touched the practice mat, Ranma landed about half a meter in front of Akane. She brought her hands together in a double open palm strike. "Mouko Takabisha!" Ranma cried out as she extended her arms, which stopped a good 15 centimeters in front of Akane.

"Just kid-" Ranma began before a gust of wind seemed to hit Akane. Her hair and gi flapped around briefly, as though an industrial fan had instantaneously been turned on and off inches from her face.

There was dead silence as Ranma put her hands back at her hips and looked around. The old club members had their jaws drop. Kuno looked as though he was trying to find the air conditioning vents. Hiroshi, Sayuri, and Daisuke looked impassively, though the latter had his hand on his forehead.

Finally Ranma looked at Akane who seemed lost in thought as she looked back at her.

Akane smiled. It was a broad, genuine grin. "You're such a dork."

This broke the tension and there was some soft laughter as Ranma rubbed the back of her in sheepishness and things went back to normal until the end of the club session.

After class, Ranma and Akane walked home. Akane noticed Ranma, usually eager to rehash and analyze sparring sessions with her, was quiet and subdued, looking a bit distracted. As they walked over the canal, Ranma turned to look at the water. A cold breeze kicked up and she began to shiver a bit.

Akane looked at Ranma as the hair near her face blew back with the wind. She found herself feeling conflicted.

He looks like he has a lot on his mind. Seeing him like this is just... beautiful...

Wait.

Ranma's a guy. But he told me about the dress... And then at the beach... okay, so he's maybe a little bit effeminate. That doesn't mean anything. Ranma's still a guy. A nice and pretty guy who really cares about me and I think could use a hug, but he's still a guy! Ugh, Yuka was not right about me!

They walked past a boutique clothes store. Akane looked around and saw a pair of college-aged women in short skirts and semi-opaque leggings leaving.

No, I'm proud and I'm verygay. I mean, Daisuke's been my friend since we were kids and I don't... ew, no. Why is it different with Ranma? Just because he's more sensitive and open and maybe my brain is just fried because I haven't touched anyone since

"You okay?" Ranma asked her.

"Huh!?"

"Ya seem... distracted? Were you doin' some girl watching while I wasn't lookin'?"

"Well..."

"Aw, you know it's not fair." Ranma pouted as she frowned. "At least point them out. I have eyes too, ya know." She crossed her arms in front of her waist, but then stuck out her tongue.

Akane shook her head. "I was thinking that maybe we can go shopping for winter clothes? You don't have any outerwear and I noticed you were a bit cold."

Ranma pursed her lips, "I guess... The wind kind of just cuts through ya. I dunno if I'm gonna find anythin' I like, but... sure. It'll be a nice trip out with ya. I like hangin' out with ya, Akane."

Akane hoped the cold weather explained how warm her face felt when she nodded, "great! It's a d- it'll be fun!"

Akane noticed Ranma look back at the boutique display before they walked home.


Despite it only being mid-October, the season was already starting to turn to winter. The trees had their leaves stripped after a nasty rain storm swept through the city. Ranma felt the weather was an extension of the rest of herself that she was having the life slowly choked out of her. One saving grace was a sage green pashmina scarf she had found shopping on a weekend with Akane. It was patterned with rose pink diamond stripes, but Ranma was able to fold it up so that they weren't noticeable to strangers while still letting her see them when she looked down. When she got to school she folded and tucked the scarf into her shoe locker and got on with the day.

Classes were a blur of lectures and Ranma struggled to keep her attention. She knew that exams were on the way, but it was difficult to not be distracted by the tightness of the shirt cuffs on her wrist, the deepness when she cleared her throat, or how her hands seemed to be larger than she remembered. She was grateful the school uniform didn't have a tie. And yet, the hyperfixation was better than the times she had caught herself 'outside' as she had come to think of it. Ranma had felt it a few times since the last dream, especially in class, when she didn't even seem to be around her own body. She felt like she was just driving it around like she was a Gundam pilot. It was scary for her. She was slowly feeling out of sync with her body and, as much as it sucks, she preferred fixating to the point of distraction.

At some point it was afternoon and gym class. The boys and girls had been separated for volleyball and basketball, respectively and, with no way of getting out of it, Ranma found herself in the locker room with them.

Ranma stood in a distant corner of the locker room and faced the exterior painted concrete wall, as far away from anyone as she could get. Around her, she could hear the background din of the second year boys chatting and horseplaying as they got dressed for gym.

"Man exams are soon. Gotta get my score up or my parents are gonna ground me.

"Yo, you see the rack on Hanada in 2-B? When the hell did she grow them?"

"She's dating some private high school guy, she's way out of your league."

Ranma undid the gakuran and breathed a small sigh of relief as she removed it. She quickened her pace as she undid the cuffs of her dress shirt and began undoing the button in front. She looked down at the bench, seeing her t-shirt and gym pants ready to go.

"Hey Kuroda! Where's the cane?"

"Don't need it no more. Doc says I'm good enough to do P.E. as long as I don't go all out. We're doing half-court so I should be good."

Ranma, after a second, took off her shirt and bent down to grab the t-shirt. It was supposed to be a near instantaneous swap of clothes but she noticed something on her chest. A single small black hair. Objectively, she knew it was just a single hair and it wasn't anything. The implication of its presence, however, the evidence of what it meant for her and her future and knowing she had no sense of control began to send her into a daze and she just stood there.

"Aw man, I'm too tired for gym."

"What, did you stay up too late jerking off to idol gravure?"

"Ah man, don't be gross... and Yuko Aoki is fuckin' hot dude. What are you, a fag?"

Ranma hated all of this. She hated the concentrated smell of boy sweat around her. She hated that some of it was her own. Seeing the small hairs on her chest was just a reminder that she isn't right and hasn't been for a long time.

"Hey, what's with Saotome?"

"Wait hold up, this'll be hilarious..."

"Shit, don't!"

She felt a presence behind and an arm reach around her, reaching for her chest. Ranma's daze was replaced with fear and panic.

"Hah, purple nurpl-ah, the-AhhhhHH!" the boy started to cry out before it turned to yelling and pain.

In the span of a second, Ranma grabbed the boy's wrist following a technique she learned from a Vale Tudo fighter from Brazil, broke his forearm, spun him in front of her so his back slammed against the concrete wall with a wet thud and, with her free arm, punched him dead center in the face with a loud growl of force.

As though a spotlight had suddenly been flipped on and off, the room seemed to flash brightly for just a moment as the punch landed.

Ranma blinked. She finally recognized the boy as Ryo Hanamura, from class 2-C. He slid down the wall seated in a heap, blood pouring from his nose and wailing in pain as his right arm flopped next to him, the broken bone poking under the skin.

Ranma, in the second after she realized what she did, let out a gasp, grabbed her gym shirt and placed it over her chest without putting it on, and ran out of the room. She pushed past Hiroshi, who had tried to run and stop Hanamura, and Daisuke, who could only stare in disbelief.

In the aftermath, the boys locker room exploded in anger.

"Oh shit!"

"What the fuck!?"

"Serves Hanamura right. This isn't middle school. You don't fuck with the martial artist."

"Nah, Saotome's a fuckin' psycho! He'd coulda killed Hanamura."

"I'm getting the teacher!"

Hiroshi looked at Daisuke. "What do we do now?"

Daisuke sighed, "Let the coach know what happened, at least let him know Hanamura provoked her."

"Huh? Uh, okay," Hiroshi replied after a moment of confusion.

Daisuke jogged out as well, though given a moment's thought, found the stairs that led up to the roof and went up. He was glad he only needed to take a quick breather at the top of the stairs.

As he thought, Ranma sat on a bench by the door. Her shirt was back on, though Daisuke noticed her arms still crossed as though protecting herself.

"Hey, uh... mind if I sit?"

Ranma stayed still.

"Uh... I'll just hang back here."

"No!" Ranma blurted out, "I mean... shit, I'm sorry Dai. Yeah, you can sit, I'm just.." Ranma relaxed a bit, "I'm all wrapped up in my head again."

"For what it's worth, Hanamura had it coming, I thought."

Ranma shook her head, " No. I lost control. Yeah, maybe he deserved a slap in the face or maybe, maybe , if I just punched him... but I messed up. I can't lose control like that. It..." Ranma rubbed her hand. "It was too easy to hurt him."

Ranma slammed a fist on the bench. "It's not fair, Dai. I feel stuck. And now, I'm sure everyone is gonna say I'm some kind of violent maniac. I just want to be normal"

"Yeah, It's not fair. But..."

"But?"

"Sorry, Ranma. You're not normal."

Before Ranma could reply, Daisuke raised his hand. "I'm not normal. Neither is Hiro, Sayu, Akane, Hanamura, anyone. No one is *normal*, just a bunch of people pretending there's a normal they got to be and some parts of it come easier than others."

Ranma replied, "I don't get it."

"Look, I know you're a girl, but you can't show that part to people. You're also a kickass martial artist. I'm a nerd who collects wrestling videos, old videogames, and porn. Hiro builds gunpla. Sayuri has a whole collection of manzai comedy tapes and punk albums. Akane... she kicks ass as well and well, she's just cool."

Ranma nodded. "Yeah..."

"Look what I'm saying is that you don't wanna be normal , you want people to see you as you are. You wanna feel like you're living honestly. That means that, eventually, you're gonna have to tell everyone."

"Everyone?"

"Well, not everyone , but I'd probably start with Hiro and Sayu and Akane."

"But Akane's still dealing with that fallout with Yuka and..."

"That's mostly calmed down."

Ranma nodded, "It's not gonna fix being stuck... or having to use the guys' locker room."

"You know who you are, Ranma. Even if you don't get your body back in the dream, you're still a girl on the inside right? You can figure something out."

"Actually, there's something you should know about what happened. You-"

The door opened and Daisuke and Ranma looked to see their English teacher come out. She looked at the two with a sad look.

"Saotome... you're needed in the principal's office. I assume you know why."

Ranma stood and gave a light bow. "Yeah... I know, teach." He walked to the door and turned to Daisuke, who gave her a strained smile.

"You were radiant," Daisuke said, with a small knowing smile, much to Ranma's confusion.