Chapter Three
Two presences sat in a tree digesting all that they had just heard and one said in an old wizened voice "This complicates things, it appears that Ranma has matured a great deal, become much more powerful than before, and she has accepted her curse, she appears to be very proud about her dual sexuality, that also complicates things"
The other one spoke now in a far younger and clearly feminine voice "What should we do?
The old one spoke again "We will head back to the restaurant, we have a lot to talk about"
With that final comment the two presences vanished into the night.
Meanwhile a presence was stirring at Jusenkyo in China, it had a mission to accomplish tonight, a mission it got to do much too rarely but was overjoyed to be doing. It was going to visit one of its students tonight to offer a gift and a choice. Ranma Saotome was in for a pleasant surprise in the morning.
Nabiki and Kasumi spent a couple of minutes struggling to get Ranma-Chan up the stairs and into Kasumi's room, where they lay the small girl on Kasumi's bed. The two sisters then collapsed on the bed to pant for a few seconds before starting to prepare Ranma for bed.
"I never realised that Ranma was that heavy!" exclaimed Nabiki amazedly.
Kasumi just smiled "Stay here, I need to get some of Ranma's pyjamas so she can sleep comfortably." With that she went out towards Ranma's room, before coming back in a few minutes with some of Ranma-Chan's silk pyjamas in her arms.
Nabiki and Kasumi then started to undress Ranma from her day clothes and put on her pyjamas, along with appropriate undergarments. As they did this Kasumi watched Nabiki closely and found signs of a struggle within Nabiki's cool exterior.
Kasumi prided herself on being one of the few people able to see past the mask that Nabiki always presented to the world, and what she saw in Nabiki concerned her. After they had dressed Ranma and put her under the covers, Nabiki started to leave but Kasumi called "Wait Nabiki I want to ask you something please?"
Nabiki stopped for a few seconds and seemed to have a silent argument with herself before she reluctantly turned back. Kasumi sat down and patted the bed beside her offering a seat, which Nabiki accepted and sat beside Kasumi.
Kasumi watched Ranma sleep for a couple minutes looking for any signs of stress before turning to Nabiki to watch her for a few minutes, before seemingly coming to a definite conclusion on something or another.
"What's wrong Nabiki? You have never helped me with Ranma before now, not without some prior motive so why now? What's changed?" asked Kasumi gently looking Nabiki in the eye in way that left Nabiki unable to look away.
"Nothings wrong" said Nabiki calmly before wrenching her eyes away from Kasumi's serene gaze, but continued to sit.
"Yes there is Nabiki, I know you better than that" Kasumi replied gently still slowly prying apart Nabiki's mask. "Tell me, is it Ranma? Was it something she said or did tonight?"
Nabiki flinched slightly, something that didn't avoid Kasumi's notice, and she pressed on determined to destroy the mask and heal the pain that Kasumi sensed behind it.
"Did something happen tonight, that you felt that you had to help me with Ranma… did you want to talk to her if she woke up" said Kasumi, Nabiki flinched visibly that time and there were signs of tears in her eyes. Kasumi leaned over and pulled Nabiki into a hug.
"Earlier before Genma's outburst" Nabiki spoke low and slow forcing Kasumi to listen carefully "When me and Ranma were talking about how she had gotten rid of Genma's teachings, she had this smile on her face and she was also giggling and I suddenly found myself smiling and giggling myself, I hadn't done that in years. When I finally gained control of my giggling, I just couldn't help smiling while Ranma was smiling and what happened next…"
"Don't you tell anyone about this Ranma or the damage to my reputation could be irreparable" warned Nabiki but still unable to stop smiling and Ranma just grinned
"What ever are you talking about Nabiki, I didn't see anything" said Ranma grinning and turned to talk to Kasumi and Nabiki just smiled again unable to help herself.
Nabiki continued to speak with a slight quaver in her voice "Then when she turned to talk to you it got me thinking about how she had replied, as if she was a friend and swearing to keep our little secret"
Kasumi just continued to listen silently, waiting for Nabiki to get to it on her own.
"I have this hollow within me you know, a hollow of intense loneliness, that always appears when ever I watch other people interact with each other; and while I watched you and Ranma speak together, I couldn't help noticing that you two seemed to be much closer than ordinary friends" said Nabiki on the verge of crying.
Kasumi blushed a little but said nothing and continued to listen silently; waiting for Nabiki to get to it herself, knowing that if she pushed it, Nabiki would just close up tighter than ever.
She always seems to do that whenever she feels threatened by anything, continually hiding behind her mask thought Kasumi sadly.
"And as I continued watching, I started wondering if she would be willing to be my friend"
said Nabiki. "I've never had any real friends, just acquaintances, even my business partners are just that, partners; nothing more, my bloody reputation as the Ice Queen of Furinkan High School makes everybody too afraid to be more than just acquaintances with me, but it almost seems as though Ranma isn't afraid at all and I started thinking… that maybe…" Nabiki broke off. Kasumi just watched as tears started appearing on Nabiki's face and she heard a small whimper. It appeared the Mask was cracking.
All of a sudden Nabiki just appeared to crack and whirled to look at Kasumi "But why would she want to be my friend! Especially after all I have done to her!" she screamed and lunged at Kasumi to grab her in a desperate hug, wailing into Kasumi's shoulder
All Kasumi could do was look at Nabiki in shock. She was crying! Something she hasn't done in years. Not even when mother died! Kasumi slowly, hesitantly wrapped her arms around the shuddering frame afraid that she would pull away and put on the Mask again. But all Nabiki did in reaction was to just grip tighter and continue crying.
They sat like that for a couple minutes; Nabiki crying and seeking comfort, and receiving it in the form of Kasumi; who just sat there holding the young woman stroking her hair, until she stopped crying.
Having finally exhausted all her tears Nabiki just slumped down and curled up on the bed, resting her head on Kasumi's lap still hiccupping; feeling exhausted but unwilling to leave Kasumi's reassuring presence to go to her own cold unwelcoming room.
Kasumi sat there silently, contemplating what to say, while continuing to stroke Nabiki's hair absent-mindedly. It came as a mild shock to Kasumi when she heard Nabiki speak again.
"Why would she want to be my friend?" said Nabiki softly turning over to look at the small form of Ranma-Chan sleeping on the bed beside them "All I've done to her is manipulate her, use her, extort her, ignore her, never helping her without a price."
Nabiki's face turned self-loathing "And all to just make more money. Up until now, I had never seen Ranma as a person, just as a cash cow" Nabiki's expression was now that of regret and sadness and self loathing "She couldn't ever forgive me for all I did to her; and I don't blame her, so how can she be my friend when she can't forgive me" Nabiki's expression got even more intense and Kasumi felt her heart clench painfully.
"I can't even forgive myself for my actions, and won't be able to until she does forgive me for what I did to her, I could ask her if she could forgive me but I am too afraid to ask, afraid that she'd refuse, I wouldn't be able to take it". Nabiki started to cry again, deep heart wrenching sobs that did not appear to be in any danger of stopping until Nabiki fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. When that happened Kasumi started to feel herself crying as well in reaction from the sheer pain she felt in Nabiki's tortured voice.
So why don't you ask now?" said a soft voice from beside them startling them both. Nabiki and Kasumi both swivelled around to see a tired looking Ranma propping herself on her elbows and looking at Nabiki with a gentle smile.
"Ranma? How much did you hear?" Nabiki stuttered wiping tears stains from her face.
'Just a little, I woke up a few minutes ago" said Ranma still with a tired and pained face.
Kasumi spoke up "How you feeling Ranma?" she asked "Are you sure you feel strong enough to sit up?" she asked a little worriedly.
Ranma-Chan just waved dismissively "Nah, I feel fine, just a slight headache." Ranma looked down at herself dressed in her silk pyjamas and quirked an eyebrow at Kasumi.
"Looks like I'm going to have a sleep over tonight nee Kasumi-Chan?" said Ranma with a grin on her face.
Kasumi just blushed and would have answered if it weren't for a soft whisper from Nabiki.
"What… Did you mean? Ask now?" asked Nabiki with a quavering voice, a single tear slowly traced its way down her cheek.
Ranma turned her attention from Kasumi back to Nabiki and said softly "You wanted to ask for my forgiveness but your too afraid to ask for it, afraid that I will refuse, effectively condemning you to a life of guilt. So I'm saying to you now … ask me!"
"But… but… but", Nabiki eyes gleamed with tears that threatened to fall but they didn't.
Ranma watched the young woman before her quiver with repressed sobs; both Ranma and Kasumi easily felt the pain and fear emanating from Nabiki. And Ranma knew she had to do something to help Nabiki get over her fear, and ask that all important question, a question that could change Ranma's and Nabiki's relationship for the better. But it had to be asked first, before anything else could happen.
Ranma sighed and got out of the covers and traversed the bed towards Nabiki on hands and knees, until her face was just inches from Nabiki's. Ranma got up until she was squatting on her knees and placed a reassuring hand on Nabiki shoulder.
"Nabiki?" the girl continued to cry softly.
"Nabiki?" the crying stopped and the girl appeared to be listening.
"Nabiki look at me" Ranma commanded softly and Nabiki slowly looked up until she was looking Ranma square in the eyes, with tears continuously gleaming from the rims of her eyes. Ranma had to suppress a flinch from the pain she saw in the other girl's eyes. Ranma had never known such pain was possible!
Ranma spoke slowly but surely "Don't be afraid to ask me Nabiki, I am more than willing to answer, but it is you who has to ask it, if you don't do this now, if you continue to run away, you will forever regret it for the rest of your life" Ranma finished with definite finality and Nabiki knew it to be true. She knew that she would regret it if she ran away now. But still she hesitated.
Nabiki bit her lip in an effort to control her sobbing, and looked over Ranma's shoulder at Kasumi. Kasumi just smiled and nodded. Nabiki gathered her remaining courage and looked Ranma in the eye. Ranma just kneeled there, patiently waiting for Nabiki to speak.
Nabiki spoke low and haltingly, forcing the words through her unwilling lips, past the fear that still seized her heart in a tight grip. "Ranma ever since you came to us as an immature, young, brash, rough tongued, aqutrasexual, Martial Artist. I have treated you wrongly; I treated you not as a person, but as a way to get money in any number of ways, ways that were very wrong and immoral. I never helped you whenever you needed it. I have come to realise that the way I treated you was wrong and I'm sorry"
Nabiki suddenly just broke down and cried "I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SO SORRY, can you ever forgive me" she finished in a small voice and her shoulders slumped down and she started crying again.
Nabiki continued to cry until she suddenly felt a soft hand on her cheek and she felt strong but gentle thumb wiping away her tears. She looked up slowly and saw Ranma looking at her, eye's glimmering with some emotion that Nabiki couldn't identify. She continued to look into Ranma's eyes, intently search for any emotions that indicate that Ranma was going to refuse her apology but couldn't find anything but happiness, compassion… and love. Nabiki suddenly felt her heart lightening but held back from letting go of all the pain until she had heard those words that she prayed for. Ranma just continued to wipe away the tears.
Ranma suddenly spoke and Nabiki held her breath in anticipation and what she heard was the greatest thing she had ever heard, at least at the moment. "I Ranma Saotome accept your apology, there was never anything to forgive".
Nabiki's heart was soaring with happiness and she started to feel more like herself now that pain was gone. She started to feel very silly that she had put herself through that and given in to her emotions.
Ranma was suddenly surprised when Nabiki launched herself into Ranma's arms to hug her tightly laughing and crying at the same time, but this time tears of happiness.
They stayed like that for a while, Nabiki hugging tightly, and Ranma hugging back then they were startled when they heard Kasumi whine.
"Awwww! Why don't I get hugs!" Kasumi whined mockingly. The two other girls laughed and leaned over to include her in their hug. They stayed like that for a couple minutes until Ranma coughed and leaned back and looked at Nabiki.
"Now there is one other thing I have to do to finish this properly," Ranma said anticipation evident in her voice. Kasumi and Nabiki looked at each other each asking the other what Ranma could mean but could see any answers from each other and looked back at Ranma.
Kasumi had a slight suspicion but nothing concrete.
Ranma cleared her throat as if preparing for a speech and then kneeled on her knees in front of Nabiki and said with an emotional voice "Hello, my name is Ranma Saotome, I am a Martial Artist and I am both male and female, would you, Nabiki Tendo, do me the honour of being my friend and… and…" Ranma halted to gather her courage and spoke again "and will you also consent to me calling you… sister"
Nabiki just sat there in shock "Sister?" she whispered. What could she say? Nabiki had no idea what to say, though she was actually quite happy that Ranma could consider her his sister.
Nabiki sat there for a few seconds before finding her tongue and saying "Ranma I just don't know what to say" she said with a little hesitancy.
"So why don't you just say yes?" Ranma replied with a slight giggle.
Nabiki just sat there opening and closing her mouth like a codfish before finally launching herself to grab Ranma in a hug joyfully shouting "Yes, Yes of course Ranma"
Ranma let herself be hugged by Nabiki for a few more minutes before her male side decided to invest itself and she pulled away saying "Alright, alright, that all the sappiness I can take for one night"
Nabiki pulled away as well with a small giggle and fell back on the bed totally exhausted.
Kasumi looked at Nabiki with a little concern on her face "Oh Nabiki you look totally exhausted"
Nabiki laughed weakly "I am totally exhausted! I have just been on the most rough and exhausting emotional roller coaster ride that I have ever had the displeasure to experience."
Nabiki looked at Ranma with a smile "Though it was totally worth it, though a little painful."
Ranma just smiled poked her tongue at Nabiki inviting Nabiki to retaliate the same.
Kasumi's practicalness decided to assert itself right then "Well Nabiki, you cant sleep on my bed tonight, you should go to your room now"
Nabiki just stretched languidly on the bed and settled herself more comfortably on the bed "Awww Kasumi I'm too comfortable to get up now, besides Ranma is getting to stay" she whined sparking a bout of giggles from Ranma and few seconds later Nabiki joined in.
Kasumi looked pointedly at Nabiki "Ranma's staying because she got hit over the head by Akane remember and I wanted to keep an eye on her tonight"
Nabiki's good mood deflated when she heard that, and remembered exactly how Ranma ended up in Kasumi's bed. She started to get a little angry at Akane and started swearing under her breath, speaking words that neither Kasumi nor Ranma bothered to remember.
Nabiki was suddenly distracted when Ranma hit upon an enticing brainwave "Hey Kasumi you remember when I said before that I was going to have a sleepover tonight?"
"Yes?" Kasumi replied, not sure what exactly where Ranma was going with this.
"So why don't we do just that!" Ranma said excitedly "Just you, me and Nabiki!" it was a good idea Kasumi had to admit, but to sure as to whether they would do it yet.
Nabiki started nodding enthusiastically, she hasn't had a sleepover in years! "Yeah lets do it! Come on Kasumi when was the last time we had a sleepover together?" Nabiki begged with a slight pout and Ranma joined in pouting at Kasumi. Kasumi just couldn't withstand the double-teaming duo and finally nodded her head.
"Alright you two, Nabiki you go get cleaned up and then come back, then we will go to sleep" Nabiki just nodded and got up to go clean up. She was back in a few minutes with fresh sleeping clothes and she saw that Ranma had already fallen asleep in the bed,
Kasumi had also changed and was behind Ranma on the bed waiting for Nabiki to get back. Nabiki got in the bed in front of Ranma so that Ranma was in the middle and fell asleep in a few seconds totally exhausted from her emotional night.
Kasumi stayed up for a few minutes watching the two girls, smiling softly. She finally lay down facing them and prepared to go to sleep. She was startled when she felt Ranma turn over and burrow into her chest mumbling. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around the small girl and smiled when she felt Ranma respond by snuggling in closer, unconsciously trying to get closer to the gentle warmth and comfort that Kasumi offered.
Kasumi just smiled and held Ranma tightly secretly pleased that Ranma was seeking her like this. Kasumi felt familiar feelings arise, feelings that she recognised easily but was unsure about. Kasumi was afraid to act upon these feelings but at that moment when she looked at Ranma she felt the feelings solidify and she was suddenly no longer afraid.
She knew that Ranma returned these feelings and Kasumi decided that she would have to talk to Ranma about her feelings soon. Before she fell asleep she leaned down and softly kissed Ranma on the forehead and then a little hesitantly kissed Ranma proper, not caring that Ranma was female right then, when she backed away she saw that Ranma was smiling in her sleep and then she lay her down and as she fell asleep she said softly "I love you Ranma"
If Kasumi had remained awake a few more seconds she would have heard Ranma mumble in her sleep "I love you Kasumi" before dropping into a deeper sleep.
Ranma was floating in a black void, the void of her mind. A presence floated over her watching her sleep peacefully, oblivious to the powerful presence that watched her.
"RANMA" The presence spoke.
"Huh? Wha?" Ranma jerked awake in response to voice, she looked around not noticing anything; until she rubbed her eyes and noticed that she was floating in a vast black void seemingly without end.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Ranma yelled in surprise and jerked herself into a ready stance and summoned her KI ready to defend herself. She felt around with her senses but couldn't feel anything.
'RANMA" The presence spoke again.
"What the?" Ranma gasped and spun around to confront the presence but didn't see anything beyond the darkness in which she was floating.
"RANMA CALM YOURSELF, I'M NOT HERE TO HARM YOU," said the presence in an effort to calm the young woman.
Ranma spun around again but didn't see anything "Who are you, and why are you here?" Ranma listened for an answer but couldn't hear anything "Show yourself!" Ranma shouted angrily still spinning around looking for the presence.
Ranma suddenly felt and saw enormous power and light behind her and spun around to see only to gasp in surprise and release her KI from sheer shock
She saw a tall woman of great but ethereal beauty. Long, flowing black hair, a willowy figure and elven like features which set off her eyes. Intense green eyes in which Ranma could perceive great power and wisdom. She wore white flowing see through silk clothes that barely covered the bare essentials leaving a great deal to the imagination.
Ranma then saw that there were tattoos on her forehead and cheeks, two green diamonds set beside each other and a green oval above them in a triangle formation. Two sets of double green stripes adorned her cheeks.
"Who… are… you?" Ranma whispered, sheer disbelief easily visible in her eyes.
"I AM RIALINENE, GODDESS OF TRANSFORMATIONS" Rialinene replied gently, Ranma's abused nerves slowly soothed themselves as the Goddesses gentle tone helped her slowly relax.
"Is this a dream?" Ranma asked, finally calm and relaxed.
"WE ARE IN WITHIN YOUR MIND, WHETHER IT BE A DREAM, OR A VISION, OR SOMETHING ELSE IS ENTIRELY YOUR OPINION, ALL YOU NEED KNOW IS THAT IT IS REALLY HAPPENNING"explained the goddess.
"…Right" said Ranma not understanding at all slowly shaking her head to clear it, until her brain picked up on something the Goddess said. Ranma looked up at the Goddess.
"You said we are within my mind?" she asked
"CORRECT" Rialinene replied happily nodding her head.
If that means what I think it means, we are in my mind, which is my territory which means that I can… thought Ranma before concentrating on something. The void slowly began to disappear and in its place the Tendo Dojo appeared. Rialinene looked around amazed at what Ranma had accomplished.
Incredible! No human I have ever met has been able to remove the dream void and make their own surroundings! Rialinene looked down at Ranma impressed. This is not an ordinary human, it can't be because it is she is a highly gifted Martial Artist? It must be something else!
Ranma looked around satisfied, feeling much more secure now that she had a solid surface below her feet, and familiar surroundings before looking back at the Goddess. Ranma looked at the goddess for a few minutes, appraising her as she would an opponent, even scanned her with her KI, but Ranma couldn't see any signs of being deceived. Ranma finally chose to speak.
"Ok so I know who you are and what you are… but why are you here?" Ranma asked quietly quite curious as to why a Goddess would want to talk to her.
"I AM HERE TO OFFER YOU A CHOICE AND GIFT" said Rialinene, Ranma just cocked her head in askance.
"YOU SEE RANMA, I, AS THE GODDESS OF TRANSFORMATIONS, HAVE THE UNCONTESTED AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OVER ALL FORMS OF TRANSFORMATION."It was at this point that Rialinene looked at Ranma with a piercing gaze. "THIS INCLUDES THE JUSENKYO SPRINGS, AND THEREFORE BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE SPRING OF DROWNED GIRL CURSE, YOU ALSO ARE MY RESPONCIBILITY."
"Me?" Ranma stuttered.
"YES, YOU RANMA"Rialinene took a deep breath before continuing "YOU SEE RANMA, THE SPRINGS ARE NOT CURSES WHICH ARE USED TO PUNISH, THEY ARE TEACHERS! WHEN EVER SOMEONE COMES IN PROXIMITY TO ONE OF THE SPRINGS, THEY ARE DRAWN TO THE SPRING WHICH COULD TEACH THEM THE MOST, AND YOU RANMA, IN A MATTER OF SPEAKING HAVE GRADUATED, AND I AM NOW HERE TO GIVE YOU YOUR REWARD."
Ranma shook her head unbelievingly and Rialinene saw that she might need some more convincing.
"LET ME TELL YOU A STORY RANMA. THERE WAS ONCE A YOUNG MARTIAL ARTIST WHO STRIVED TO BECOME THE BEST IN THE WORLD. HE WAS RAISED BY HIS FATHER, WHO RAISED HIM TO BE THE GREATEST IN MARTIAL ARTS AND ALSO TO BE THE MANLINEST MAN EVER. THE YOUNG MAN WAS AN ARROGANT YOUNG MAN WHO BELIEVED THAT FEMALES WERE GOOD FOR NOTHINGS WHO COULDN'T FIGHT, AND WERE GOOD FOR NOTHING ELSE BUT SEX, BEING A GOOD HOUSEWIFE AND BARING CHILDREN."
HE WAS ALSO VERY RUDE, AND CALLOUS, AND HE HAD NO FEMINENE SIDE, BUT THERE WAS ONE REDEEMING QUALITY. THIS YOUNG MAN WAS VERY HONOURABLE AND POSSESSED A PURE HEART DESPITE ALL THE SUFFERINGS HE WAS PUT THROUGH. THEN ONE DAY HE AND HIS FATHER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THIS YOUNG MAN ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS IN FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE ON FEMALES THAN ANY OTHER MALE ON THE PLANET.
Ranma realised that this story was starting to sound very familiar, and was starting to get nervous, but continued to listen anyway.
"THIS YOUNG MAN HAD RECEIVED A CURSE WHICH TURNED HIM INTO A FEMALE, A FATE THAT HE FELT WAS THE WORST THING THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN TO HIM. BUT THE YOUNG MAN WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING, EXCEPT LEARN TO LIVE WITH THIS NEW FACTOR IN HIS LIFE.
The goddess saw slow recognition beginning to show in Ranma's eyes and pressed on.
"THE YOUNG MAN DEFINITELY LEARNED, AS HIS VIEW ON FEMALES WAS REALLY SKEWED AND HIS CALLOUS UNCARING WAYS GOT HIM INTO TROUBLE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, USUALLY ENDDING UP GETTING HURT.
OVER A PERIOD OF A COUPLE YEARS, THIS YOUNG ACTUALLY MANAGED TO ATAIN HIS GOAL OF BEING THE GREATEST MARTIAL ARTIST THAT EVER EXISTED, BUT THAT WASN'T ALL."
Rialinene could see that she was getting through and dove in for the final strike.
"HE ALSO MANAGED TO ADAPT TO HIS CURSE AND LEARN FROM IT, HE ACTUALLY MANAGED TO DEVELOP A SENSITIVE SIDE, ALTHOUGH IT RARELY APPEARED, HE LEARNED TO SPEAK PROPERLY, AND HE REGAINED HIS FEMININE SIDE, WHICH HIS FATHER HAD BEATEN AWAY ALL TRACES."
"EVENTUALLY AFTER TWO AND HALF YEARS HE TRULY ACCEPTTED THAT HE WAS FOREVER GOING TO BE HALF MALE HALF FEMALE, HE HAD TRULY ACCEPTED HIMSELF AS HALF AND HALF AND DIDN'T REALLY CARE WHAT HE WAS. HIS CURSE WAS NO LONGER A CURSE. BUT A PART OF HIMSELF.
THIS YOUNG MAN HAD GONE FROM AN IMATURE, INSENSITIVE, NO FEMININE HALF BRAT! INTO THIS WONDER PERSON I SEE BEFORE ME NOW"
Ranma just stood there tears in her eye and opened her mouth to speak but Rialinene beat her to it.
"YES RANMA, THIS YOUNG MAN WAS YOU, YOU GOT THE CURSE, AND LET IT TEACH YOU, LIKE IT WAS MEANT TOO. YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON WHO ANYBODY WOULD BE HONOURED TO CALL FRIEND, BROTHER, SISTER, OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE, NOT AT ALL LIKE YOU USED TO BE.
Ranma just smiled and said "Thankyou, Rialinene, now what was that about a reward?"
Rialinene just smiled and said "I HAVE COME TO OFFER A CHOICE RANMA. I HAVE THE ABILITY TO REMOVE YOUR CURSE IF YOU SO WISH, BUT I GUESS WE BOTH KNOW HOW YOU WILL ANSWER"
Ranma just smiled shook her head "No thanks, I don't want to cured anymore. I am perfectly happy as I am right now, but thanks for offering" Ranma's smile got broader "I have actually been having a lot of fun being both male and female now that I have accepted myself"
Rialinene smiled and giggled a little "I EXPECTED AS MUCH SO I WILL DO SOMETHING ELSE FOR YOU INSTEAD, INSTEAD, I WILL CHANGE THE TRIGGER OF YOUR CURSE, FROM A WATER TRIGGER, TO A TRIGGER THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CONCENTRATE ON WHAT YOU WANT, AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CHANGE BACK AND FORTH AT WILL."
Ranma just stood for a second before shouting "YATTA!" and jumped around happily.
"THAT'S NOT ALL RANMA!" Rialinene said, getting Ranma's instant attention.
"There is more?" said Ranma astonished. What else could she get!
"INDEED, I WILL ALSO MAKE BOTH YOUR MALE FORM AND YOUR FEMALE FORM TALLER, ESPECIALLY YOUR FEMALE HALF" Rialinene looked down at Ranma a moment before adding "NOW THOSE CURVEY HIPS AND THAT VERY BIG BUST OF YOURS WONT SEEM SO OUT OF PLACE ON YOU, CONSIDERING HOW SMALL YOU ARE, AND HOW BIG THEY ARE!" Rialinene said smirking.
Ranma shouted at Rialinene "Don't tease me! I happen to be very proud of my attributes!"
Ranma crossed her arms defiantly before looking down and adding contritely "though I guess they are a bit big."
Rialinene just rolled her eyes before looking at Ranma and saying, "I MUST GO NOW, BUT I HOPE WE CAN MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY" before she slowly started to fade away.
"WAIT!" Ranma shouted and Rialinene looked back "WHAT DO YOU WANT RANMA?" she asked gently.
Ranma looked down a second before asking "would you be able to tell me what the others have got their curses for? What is it they must learn form their curses? I might be able to help them" before looking down again.
Rialinene turned to face Ranma and said sorrowfully "I'M SORRY RANMA BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU, THEY MUST FIND OUT ON THEIR OWN!" Rialinene turned to leave again but thought of something and turned to tell it to Ranma.
"IT IS JUST AS WELL THAT YOU HAD FALLEN IN THE SPRING… IF YOU HADN'T YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD WITHIN THREE MONTHS!"
"THAT IS BECAUSE YOUR FATHER HAD BEATEN ALL FORMS OF FEMININITY FROM YOU, INCLUDING YOUR FEMALE KI. YOU SEE RANMA, EVERY LIVING SOUL IN EXISTANCE IS A BALANCE OF MALE AND FEMALE KI, AND YOUR KI WAS GROSSLY MISBALENCED, SO IN DOING THAT, YOUR DEATH WAS UNAVOIDABLE, SO IT IS FORTUNATE INDEED THAT YOU GOT YOUR CURSE!"
Rialinene looked down at Ranma, and saw that she was trembling from shock, but knew that there was nothing she could do to help. Rialinene just sighed sadly before saying "GOODBYE RANMA, MAY WE SEE EACHOTHER AGAIN SOMEDAY." And she faded away, leaving a shocked and trembling Ranma alone.
The connection that bound Ranma to the dream world in her mind faded and she fell back into her body into a blissful sleep, wrapped in the comforting arms of Kasumi. One thing was for sure. Ranma was never going to forget this night.