Unfortunately, I don't own Ranma ½ nor do I have any affiliation with creator Rumiko Takahashi.
Please enjoy Chapter 3 of The Lost Daughter…
Chapter 3: Ranko
Same day in the village Nerima 9:30pm …
"Ranko? What is it like to be a girl?" Ranma asked. He'd been feeling a strange sense of peace ever since he came here. It had only intensified when his mother decided to call him a feminine name even knowing it was him.
'That's a hard question to answer without perspective. I mean, I know nothing about being a boy!' She replied. 'I mean, is it easy to be a boy? I find it easy to be myself all the time. In fact, I don't even have to think about it. It's just living for me.'
Ranma found this answer disturbing. The more he thought about being a boy the less he liked about it. But in contrast, he didn't know anything about being a girl. "Just tell me why. Why is it so easy for you?" He asked.
'Oh Ranma, you know the answer already, you have to look past your preconceptions to see what the answer is. I'm not going to give it to you. You're not ready." She said and went silent.
"Why am I so wrong?" Ranma cried out. Luckily, he was in his room and only his mother was home. For some reason he'd yet to see his idiot father in this timeline.
Hearing a knock on his door Ranma opened the door to find Nodoka with a worried expression on her face. "Are you alright dear?"
With a defeated sigh, Ranma responded, "No, I'm not alright. I don't think I'll ever be alright."
"It's alright to get frustrated honey. We all do sometimes. Just don't give up." Suddenly Ranma looked at her with a fire in his eyes. "Ranma Saotome NEVER gives up!" He said.
'That's it Ranma…' Ranko whispered.
"Listen dear, the reason I came up here is to tell you this. Yesterday was a school day. The only reason you didn't go was because of your… arrival; however, you need to go back to keep Ranko's grades up. You'll go back tomorrow. No arguing this one dear." Nodoka finished and walked back down the stairs.
"My god, school" Ranma said. "Wait, will I have to wear the girls' uniform?"
'Sorry, but yes you will, I always do. Besides, you'll be fine. Remember, I'll be there to help you.' Ranko said.
"Ranko, I don't like this idea at all. What if somebody catches on?" Asked Ranma. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. But it wasn't fear of portraying as female he noted. Something else was driving this feeling. "Dear Kami, I'm uncomfortable with this." He stated.
'Ranma, you'll be fine. Just do what I tell you. However, I think you'll catch on quick. After all, we are the same person, and I'm a quick learner.' Ranko stated. 'Now, let's go to bed and we will deal with this later.'
"Right. Goodnight Ranko." Ranma said. 'Goodnight Ranma.' She replied.
With that the two timeline split siblings fell asleep. For the first time in years, Ranma slept well without nightmares. Nodoka silently left the room and walked down the hall toward her room. Ranma never saw the tears running down her cheeks.
"Genma, you bastard. I won't ever forgive you…our daughter" Nodoka whispered while desperately trying not to choke on her sobs.
The next morning…
"Good morning Ranko, did you sleep well?' Nodoka asked cheerfully. Ranma looked at her and smiled saying "Surprisingly yes, I have not slept that well in years."
"Is something wrong dear? You look embarrassed." Nodoka continued.
It's this school uniform, I've never worn girl's clothes before, let alone a blouse and skirt!" Ranma exclaimed disturbed. "Don't get me started on the bra and..." He whispered while turning crimson, "Panties"
"You'll get used to them dear. They're just clothes after all." Nodoka said sure she was right.
"Yeah, I know." Ranma said resigned, "that's what I'm afraid of" he thought forgetting about Ranko. But Ranko didn't respond in any way so Ranma went on oblivious.
"Good, here eat your breakfast and then head to school dearest." Nodoka said handing Ranma a plate with an incredibly delicious looking omelet on it.
Ranma sat down and began eating as he usually did, like a slob. "Ranko, Slow down! Where are your manners young lady?" Nodoka chastised. "No child of mine will eat like that. Utterly disgraceful. Where did you learn to eat like that?"
"Pops. He would always try to steal my food if I didn't eat it fast enough." Ranma responded remorsefully.
Appalled, Nodoka said "Genma stole your food? Damn him, I should have known it was him."
"Speaking of Pops, where is he?" Ranma asked.
"Your father is no longer welcome here after he tried to do something unforgivable to Ranko." Nodoka said with a steely edge in her voice. "He tried to turn her into a boy."
Ranma's chopsticks fell to the floor. "Wha-what?" Ranma stammered. He thought he'd heard incorrectly. Somebody tried to turn Ranko into a boy? "How could he possibly do something like that. It should be impossible." Shuddering Ranma wrapped his arms around himself protectively.
"He tried using magic on her one night, I found out before he could try though. If I hadn't come in the room when I did, she'd be a boy." Nodoka said considering that the end of discussion about the man.
'Ranma, how did you become a boy?' Ranko asked. Thinking, Ranma realized he was born that way, which means the magic had to of been done while he was inside his mother! Ranko said with grief after seeing this realization, "Ranma, I'm so sorry. What a horrible thing to do to your child. Did she know that it was being done?"
Ranma was unable to think of any memories with his mother at all so he had no idea if his mother was involved or not. If she had done it, then Ranma has nobody in his timeline he can turn to. This broke Ranma's very core. "How can I trust anybody anymore in my world?"
'Ranma, I'll always be thinking of your wellbeing. You're my sister now, and I'll never forget you. Just remember that. Somebody will always care about you.' Ranko reassured.
"Ranko, thank you." Ranma was on the verge of tears again. He was getting used to having all these feelings in his life. How could he possibly go back to the dull unfeeling world he belonged?
"Dear it's time to go to school." Nodoka said gently. Watching the young redhead, she smiled and said. "If it gets too intense, just call me and I'll come get you. You don't have to go through this alone. You have Ranko with you as well. I don't think you realize the similarities between you two. But you will soon I think."
Ranma got up wiping the tears from his eyes and smiled. Today was the start of something new. Maybe he'd find his answer at the school.
He walked to the door after grabbing his bookbag and put his shoes on. "Let's go Ranko, you'll have to show me the way." Ranma said.
"Okay." Ranko responded.
"Bye Mom!" Ranma shouted then bolted out the door. "Okay Ranko, which way?"
'School is to the west about a half-mile. Follow this road for two blocks to the left, then turn left again and follow that road all the way to the school.' Ranko said with confidence.
As Ranma was walking, He realized he hadn't been to a school in over a year. Not since junior high, and that was an all-boys school. "Uh, Ranko? I don't think this is going to be easy for both of us."
Having been following Ranma's thought process, Ranko said, 'It will be alright, I'll help you through any hurdle that presents itself. Both social and classwork."
A few more minutes of walking saw them both at the front gates of what was obviously a school. Walking into the gate, Ranma spotted a horde of boys gathered near the entrance. When they saw Ranma, they ignored him. Looking around in bewilderment, Ranma walked into the school.
"What was that about?" Ranma asked Ranko confused. Her answer disturbed Ranma to an unprecedented level.
'Every morning they attack a girl in this school named Akane. They do this because they think that by defeating her in combat, they can date her. It was all that buffoon who was hiding behind that tree with the bokken's fault. He held an assembly saying all that and because he's the principal's son, they think he's in control.'
"How awful! How could he do that to a girl? Doesn't he have any honor? Sending a horde of fifty boys to wear her down, just so he can easily defeat her himself. This is sick." Ranma said while trying not to feel like he was going to vomit. Thinking about himself in the same situation as Akane, he felt his blood begin to boil.
"That's it, I'll stop this charade with my own two hands but first I need to get to know Akane." Ranma thought.
'Oh, that's easy. I'm one of her closest friends. I sit with her at lunch every day.' Ranko answered.
Ranma had to agree, this made it a whole lot easier. As he came upon a window, he looked out and watched in horror as a girl was being mobbed in a way that made him want to puke. He had to admit though, she could handle her own. But it only takes one mistake to end up a victim in her scenario. When she was through with the horde, the main oppressor came from behind the tree and made himself known to everyone.
Watching the oaf, Ranma could only get angrier and before he knew it, was glowing from a livid battle aura. Students squeaked in fear as they watched Ranma watch the spectacle below and get angrier by the second. Turning to them Ranma said "Don't worry, you're not the target of my ire." Before turning back just in time to see Akane knock him out below.
"This happens every day you said?" Ranma asked. When he heard the answer, he was resolved to make a change.
"She's lucky to still be intact after so many weeks of this. I'll see what I can do to help." Ranma decided.
Lunchtime…
"Akane-chan?" Ranma said walking up to the girl. "Can I ask you something?"
Akane looked up and smiled at him. "Of course, Ranko, what do you need? Since when are we so formal?"
"Well, this is going to be hard to believe, but I need to ask a small favor. Can we speak somewhere more private? I don't want anyone overhearing what I wish to tell you."
'Ranma? Are you going to tell her who you are? Please think first before saying too much. I don't want to lose her as a friend." Ranko asked in understanding. She was worried though. What was Ranma's plan?
Akane and Ranma walked into an empty classroom and sat down. Looking at Akane, Ranma said, "Okay, so first things first. Let me say what I must before you do anything. Secondly, it won't change anything between us friendship-wise."
Akane looked at him and said "O-kay, uh, I'll try."
Ranma began to tell her most of what has happened since he came to this world. The only thing he left out was him being male. The idea of identifying as male was becoming less appealing to him anyway.
When he finished, Akane looked skeptical, "Why should I believe such a tall story Ranko? What game are you playing?" Ranma gave her a look that said he wasn't playing a game. When Akane finally let it sink in that this wasn't a joke, she had a frightened look on her face. "Where's Ranko?" she asked angrily.
'Ranko's still in here. Don't worry, we talk a lot. She isn't just locked up in here with no voice." Ranma said. "How do I know you're not lying?" She asked. "Prove to me Ranko's in there still."
Ranma proceeded to give very detailed events from the past, all told to him by Ranko. When Akane had been satisfied, she asked, "Okay, now that that is out of the way. What is the favor you wish to ask of me?"
"I want to destroy the horde for you. I need to ask if you'll let me take your place fighting them tomorrow. I can't stand the thought of a single person against fifty. All for a chance to date you!? Since when is that a custom? I want to completely and utterly destroy them." Ranma said this, his battle aura exploding outward causing Akane to topple over backwards in shock. She'd never seen a battle aura so angry! It screamed vengeance.
Akane was stunned into awed silence over the power and determination she was witnessing. "Yes, I'll let you take my place tomorrow. But don't go overboard, I don't want Ranko to get in too much trouble. Speaking of which is she okay with this?"
Turning inwards, Ranma asked "You okay with me doing this?" Ranko waited a moment to respond before saying, "I believe it's for the best if you do. Akane is my friend and I want her to be rid of the horde."
Opening his eyes, Ranma looked at Akane and said, "You have my word as a martial artist that she is okay with this. Now that that's over, let's eat before it's too late."
They ate at the quickest they could while still being polite. The rest of the day went smoothly, minus the kendo boy, Kuno it turned out his name was. He tried to ask Akane on a date quite vocally and it resulted in a broken window with him being tossed out it.
Nighttime, same day…
"Ranko, how much do you know of martial arts?" Ranma asked. He was concerned he would leave behind his sister to a horrible fate if he left.
"Actually, I know some kenpo, but not as much as you. I also know how to wield a katana. Mother is an excellent swordswoman. How do you think she scared Father away from changing me and out of the house?" Ranko replied.
"Can you wield chi? Ranma asked. She replied, "some, I'm able to handle my own fights. I can summon a katana from chi."
Relieved, Ranma talked to her for a few minutes about the fight tomorrow morning, before they turned in for the night.
Next morning…
"Are you ready Akane?" Ranma asked just outside the gates. "Yes, pound them down Ranma." Akane replied smiling like this day was a dream. It looked like something was on Akane's mind of another sort, but Ranma decided not to ask. It looked like it was unrelated to the task at hand, so he put it out of his mind. Though it did raise a question in his mind. He pocketed that question for another time if he got the chance.
Rounding the corner, the horde took note of the girl next to Akane. Unsure what to do they asked, "Could you get out of the way please? We need Akane only, you're not a martial artist. We don't want to hurt you."
Responding, Ranma said, "Well, at least you're a polite bunch of swine. I'll give you a chance to get away unscathed if you apologize to Akane for all the trauma you've put her through the last 5 weeks, and never bother her again."
Looking on in disbelief at the redhead's attitude they suddenly started laughing. "How are you going to stop us? Little flowers thrown in our faces? Ha! Run along before we decide you're in the same boat as her."
"Don't say I didn't warn you" Ranma said and let his aura explode to the biggest he could summon. The horde wasn't laughing anymore. They were terrified. The last thing anyone heard from any of them was "Bring it bitch!"
Ranma ended the fight with all the boys severely broken and even unconscious. The worst case was a compound fracture of the leg of a buffoon who'd got her in a very inappropriate hold. Most of them had obvious signs of severe concussions too. And it all took under thirty seconds. Walking from behind the tree, the kendoist was confused. How had such a mighty tigress escape his knowledge? "Who art thou, and how did thou acquire such ferocity? You burn like a candle in pure oxygen."
Looking at him Ranma said, "Come anywhere near Akane again and you'll live to regret it." Summoning a katana from chi, he pointed it at Kuno. "Mark my words, you will pay for what harm you've done to her!"
"Nonsense, she is but a flower ready to be plucked" He responded. Making it obvious that speaking was not the answer with this guy.
"Are you insane?" Ranma looked at him in disbelief. When the kendoist just scoffed at such a claim as to be insane, Ranma had had enough. "Fine, have it your way." Ranma said and began attacking the kendoist. Breaking his opponent's katana in two, Ranma said, "Without your blade, you are honor-less. Ronin!" He slammed into the kendoist and clearly felt several bones break as he threw the boy into a concrete wall.
'Geez Ranma, you could have killed him.' Ranko said worried.
"Don't worry he'll live. It'll just take several months for him to fully recover." He responded grimly. Ranma, contrary to belief, did not like hurting people. He was an ask first, hit second kind of person. Ranma had to close his eyes and clear his head because he felt like puking over what he'd just done.
Akane looking at Ranma, realized just how hard that was for him to do by looking at his face. "Are you okay Ranma?" she asked. She already knew the boys would all live but would suffer for months from this. Ranma was another story though.
Sighing heavily, Ranma replied, "Yes, I'll live. I can't believe they wouldn't give up though. Boys are can be such animals in my opinion." Inwardly Ranma asked himself, "But what does that make me?" He began to look at all the evidence. Despite being uncomfortable, he willed himself to face this like a challenge. He didn't like fighting people, but men are sometimes like that, he reasoned. He preferred words over violence but wasn't opposed to using violence if that didn't work. Again, same thing. Men could be that way too.
He was more comfortable talking to girls than boys, and he spoke in a more formal speech than most boys. This one was either a sign that he was a girl, or he was gay. But he wasn't ready to focus on orientation yet.
However; the fact he was comfortable in this body, was the most damning piece of evidence. Ranma finally let it come together and was not surprised when the answer was one he'd been avoiding for years.
"Kami above, I'm a girl. An honest to god caring girl. A girl who'd rather stay like this than ever go back to my world to live as a man. Let alone a 'man amongst men.' That's it, it's time for me to fight for what I want for myself."
"Well done Ranma, I knew you'd figure it out." Ranko cheered.
Suddenly, Ranma felt a strange sensation of rushing water around herself. "No! I don't want to go back. Not yet! Akane, I'm sorry but it seems my time has come. I'm heading back to my timeline." Ranma was fighting the current just so she could say her goodbyes, but she knew she couldn't stall long.
"Ranko, thank you for all you've done for me. I'm really going to miss you." Ranma said while feeling tears stream down her eyes. She'd never had guessed that feeling could be so nice and yet, sometimes so painful.
'Goodbye sister. I'll never forget you. You taught me so much too, you know. Stay strong, and you'll be here again in your own timeline, I know it." Cried Ranko.
Ranma felt the current suddenly rip away her hold on this timeline and carry her back to her own. What awaits her? She has no idea.
From this point on I will be using the female pronouns for Ranma. Thank you for your continued support. I always appreciate feedback as I am an aspiring career writer. Thank you!
Published: 12/27/18