Sadly, I do not own the roller coaster that is Ranma ½ or have any affiliation with the creator Rumiko Takahashi. Please enjoy Chapter 6 of The Lost Daughter.

Italics = Thoughts

[ ] = Translation or fact

xxx = scene break

Chapter 6: The Tendo's

It was a warm, sunny, spring morning when the ship made landfall in Koto ward, Tokyo. A young redheaded woman could be seen leading a panda on a leash off the ship via the gangplank. When she and the panda reached the dock, they both turned and could be seen by passerby paying respectful thanks for the safe journey. Many people who saw this wondered who the redhead could be to have a tamed panda of her own. As they walked away in the general direction of Nerima ward, she could be seen conversing with the animal and it would respond. Many people stared but were polite enough not to catch their attention. Eventually the duo couldn't be seen anymore and people went on with their own business.

As Ranko and her panda of a father left the docks behind and were out of sight from others, Ranko said, "let's get you human again. We need to discuss our next move now that we're back in Japan. I can see a shop ahead of us, it should have what you need, agreed?" She looked at her father who replied "Gwaf!" Ranko rolled her eyes and whispered to herself, "why do I even bother?"

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Mr. Tanaki is an honest man who likes order and reason in his life. He owns an antique shop in Koto ward, Tokyo, nearest towards the downtown area. As an upper middle-aged man, he was conscious of the fact that retirement should be soon and that his son would take over as the family shop owner. While Mr. Tanaki felt that he wasn't ready to retire yet, things don't always go as you intend. Today would be one of those days for him.

He was minding the shop when a young redheaded woman walked in followed closely by a huge panda! Now since he was a person who liked reason, he figured that the panda must be trained. His gaze landed on the leash and felt confirmed in that belief.

The young redheaded woman was looking around the shop when she suddenly went over to an antique privacy wall that had once been in the princesses chambers of the imperial palace. It had taken him many years to acquire that particular piece and watched warily as the redhead pulled it out so anyone on the street and also Mr. Tanaki couldn't see behind it, she ushered the panda behind it. Once the panda was safely ensconced behind the screen, the woman came up to him.

"Excuse me sir, may I please get a glass of hot water and a dry mop?" She asked politely. Nodding assent and more than a little confused, Mr. Tanaki went and fetched the requested items. He figured that an answer for whatever was happening here would present itself in due course.

The redhead went over to the screen with the item's and poured the water over it. She then rummaged through a huge pack (How did I not notice that before? Mr. Tanaki thought) and produced an old dingy gi and tossed it over the privacy wall.

For a few minutes nothing happened except that the redhead was obviously getting impatient. Finally she snapped, "are you ready yet, old man?!" to nobody in particular that Mr. Tanaki could discern. When a voice from behind the from behind the screen answered, "yes Ranko, I'm ready" Mr. Tanaki started. Panda's don't speak! His astonishment tripled when an older, balding man wearing the gi the girl (Ranko he presumed) had tossed over the wall moments earlier, put the screen back where it had been, while Ranko mopped up some water off the floor.

While the older man was shouldering the pack, Ranko came up to Mr. Tanaki with the glass and mop. "Thank you sir," she said kindly. Mr. Tanaki nodded politely, but was still trying to figure out where the man had come from and where the panda had gone.

Ranko the followed the older man out the door and up the street, passing by the window and continuing on out of sight. Mr. Tanaki took a look around the shop trying one last time to figure out what had just happened. After failing again, he decided it was time to retire, and promptly passed out.

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"Old man where are we going?" Ranko asked for the tenth time since they'd left the shop behind. Her father was being secretive and it was giving her an uneasy feeling. Something unusual was happening. More unusual than the norm in her life.

"We're going to see an old friend of mine," Genma replied evasively. Kami-sama help him should Ranko find out why they were going there. She already distrusts and hates him. It wouldn't take much more before she buried six feet under!

"Hmph!" Ranko replied grumpily. "How long until we're there?" she asked.

"I'd say 30 minutes if we take the train," Genma replied.

Eyeing the train warily as it came into view, Ranko sighed resigned to the fact that no more answers were forthcoming at the moment. "Let's just get this over with," she said dejectedly. Hopeful that that was the end of the inquiries, Genma nodded and together they boarded the train.

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Tears flowed down Soun Tendo's face as he beheld the postcard he'd received earlier. 'Bringing Ranma from China.' He couldn't believe it had been 12 years already. He called for his daughters. "Kasumi! Nabiki! Akane! Please come here, I have wonderful news!"

Kasumi, the eldest, popped her head out of kitchen from where she was making lunch. "Yes Father? What is it?"

Nabiki, the middle daughter, who'd been upstairs doing 'research', came down the stairs looking bored, however; you never could tell with her, said, "yes dad? I'm kind of busy."

Soun waited for Akane to acknowledge him, but didn't hear her. "Where's Akane, Kasumi?" He asked.

"I believe she's outside. Would you like me to get her?" She replied politely. Sighing, Soun nodded. when Kasumi had left he asked himself, 'Why does Akane always get angry so easily?'

Popping open a window, Kasumi shouted, "Akane! Father needs us!"

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Akane had just broken her twentieth cinder block when she heard Kasumi calling her. "Akane! Father needs us!" Akane sighed, 'whatever could he need?' she wondered to herself. Calling back she said, "I'll be right there!" Grabbing her towel, she dabbed at her face as she walked into the house. As she entered the house, her stomach growled when it encountered the aroma of lunch cooking. Oh, how she wished she could cook a good meal! "Yes, Father?" she asked nicely as she sat next to Nabiki near their father. Kasumi appeared next to her suddenly. She must have turned down the burners for now.

Now that all of his daughters were before him Soun said, "I have news. An old friend of mine is coming here and he's bringing his son, Ranma with him."

Kasumi spoke first. "Oh, will they be here soon? Maybe I should set two extra places."

Soun shook his head. "He didn't say when they'd be here. Just that they were coming. Now the reason that I'm telling you three this is the fact that Ranma is coming to meet you."

"Why us?" Akane asked suspicious. She had a bad feeling... Soun swallowed. The look on Akane's face was making him nervous. "He's going to be engaged to one of you," he said simply. Better to rip a band-aid off quickly than slowly they say. "WHAT!?" Akane exclaimed. Nabiki raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Kasumi only said, "Oh dear, I hope he's older. I don't much care to be with somebody younger." Balling her hands into fists, Akane continued, "Daddy, don't we get some say in this? I don't want to be engaged to a boy!" she spat.

"Oh? Then do you want to be engaged to a girl?" Nabiki asked with a smirk. "That would explain a lot." she continued with a snicker.

"Nabiki!" Kasumi exclaimed, mortified. Soun was about to scold Nabiki when there was a crash and yelling coming from their front gate, followed by the sound of their front door breaking down. Everyone quickly got to their feet and ran to investigate.

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After they had taken the train for about 25 minutes, they'd gotten off near a shopping district in the ward of Nerima. Since then, they had been walking steadily in one direction. As they came upon a residential district, Ranko suddenly looked around and recognized the area from her timeline trip. Akane, her mother, and Dr. Tofu had all lived in this general area. Looking around more closely, she wondered. They weren't heading to Dr. Tofu's, and Mother lived in the other direction, but maybe...

"Hey Pops!" Ranko shouted. "By chance are we going to the Tendo's?" she watched him the whole time she said this hoping for a reaction. She was not disappointed.

"How did you know?!" Genma replied, startled. "I've never once told you about my old training partner!"

Amused, Ranko said, "so? I know lots of things you don't think I do." She shook her head. "You didn't exactly tell me an answer. Are we going to the Tendo's or not?

Sighing dejectedly, Genma replied, "Yes, we are. Does that satisfy you?" He asked irritated. Ranko was an enigma to him. He wondered why it was so, after all he'd done she shouldn't exist, yet here she was.

"Not yet, but it's a start," she replied tartly. "My real question is why are we going there?"

Genma thought for a second. Why not stall with a backstory? "We trained together under master Happosai for years and when we finished our training, we had our families. We vowed to meet again in the future when it was time for our kids to marry." Genma took a breath, he thought he could see the gate now. "We said when we last saw each other twelve years ago to bring our kids together when it was time for them to marry."

Ranko was in shock. She thought she could tell what he was hiding, but wanted to be sure. it was almost impossible the old man would do that! She let him continue.

"So we made a pact." Genma said and lost himself in memory as he could see the gate was the Tendo's. "In twelve years, my son would be engaged to one of Soun's daughters. He'll get to choose-" The rest was lost when he heard Ranko shout, "Wait, WHAT?!" Realizing what he'd said, he dashed to the gate and opened it, just as Ranko slammed into him.

"You sick, twisted BASTARD!" Ranko screamed.

Genma got up, only to find himself flying into and through the front door of the Tendo home, breaking it off the frame. Ranko landed on him shouting, "Don't I get a say?!" She'd just risen a fist to clock him when a cry rang out, "Enough! Don't take your anger out on our home!" Looking up, Ranko saw an older man in a brown gi and three young women, one of which...was Akane. Looking around, Ranko saw the mess she'd made and her face burned with shame. "I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't notice what I was doing. I'm so sorry!" She hung her head. She couldn't bear to look at them she was so ashamed.

"It's alright, just don't do it anymore," the eldest daughter said, I'm Kasumi Tendo and this is Nabiki and Akane," she said indicating each in turn. "And this is..."

"Soun Tendo. And you must be Ranma, I presume?" The older gentleman said.

Ranko felt her face flush, "No sir, my name is Ranko. Ranko Saotome. Sorry about all this."

Soun paused. "Wait, what?" he asked confused and then looked at Genma. "Is this or isn't this your son, Genma?" Ranko looked pointedly at Genma with a look that said, 'tell the truth or else'

Swallowing nervously Genma said, "Sort of. This is my daughter Ranko. She and I have been on a traveling and training trip for the last twelve years." Ranko glared at him. 'I hope that wasn't too obvious,' he thought.

Soun looked confused, "But you don't have a daughter. At least I thought so..." He looked thoughtful.

"Stop it!" Akane shouted as she elbowed her way toward Ranko. Looking at her, Akane said, "Hi, do you want to be friends?" She smiled. Kami-sama knew this girl needed a friend right now.

Smiling warmly back Ranko replied, "Sure! Thank you Akane!" She couldn't be happier that Akane wanted her as a friend. Especially since the timeline trip, she'd been hoping she could befriend her again. Akane is a good person.

"I heard something about training, do you study kenpo?" Akane asked, hope written all over her face.

Ranko smiled and nodded. "Yes, the Saotome style of anything goes, do you study kenpo?" Nodding assent, Akane replied, "Some. Do you want to spar?"

Akane didn't know why, but something seemed special to her about Ranko. She wanted to be her friend and was happy that Ranko had accepted her friendship. "Sure! That sounds fun!" Ranko said in wonder at having a training partner.

Akane understood her sentiment perfectly. Alone with only her father on the road for twelve years. That had to have been lonely. Akane felt determination well up inside her. That was going to change now! she decided.

Akane reached out her hand and smiled. Tentatively, Ranko smiled and took the proffered hand and climbed off her father. "Before you go play, we need to eat lunch first you two," Kasumi intoned gently. "It should be done now. Akane, why don't you take our guests to the dining room? I'll set two more places." Akane replied, "Okay, Oneechan."

She then looked at Ranko to see a look of awe on her face. "What is it Ranko?" she asked. "A homecooked meal. I haven't had one of those in years! It's going to be so nice for a change. Instead of beans and rice over a campfire, it'll be real food!" Ranko said in clear wonderment.

Akane felt bad for her, good food should never be craved to this level. On top of that, Ranko should have learned to cook good food on her own by now and if not for her father, she would have.

Akane led her, followed by everyone else to the dining room while Kasumi quickly slipped away to set two extra places. Akane sat at her usual place and Ranko sat next to her. As the meal began, it all came rushing back to everybody why Ranko was there at all. Akane was the first to remember, "well at least you're a girl, thank Kami-sama. I don't know what I would have done to you had you been a boy!"

As everybody let that sink in Nabiki said, "Looks like you got your wish, Akane." Nabiki snickered reminding all the Tendo's of the earlier comment.

Akane glared at her but didn't explain to Ranko the eariler reference. Kasumi however; wasn't going to let it slide. "Nabiki, be nice!" she scolded. Nabiki just rolled her eyes. She decided to watch Ranko for the rest of the meal. There was something different about her...

As the meal was progressing, Ranko couldn't quite keep a blissful look from crossing her face with each bite. This food was delicious! She couldn't remember the last time she had had food this good. Akane saw the look on Ranko's face after each bite from the corner of her eye. She smiled a sad smile. This type of food should have been common in Ranko's life! She glared at Genma.

When the meal was finished, everyone decided it was best to make intentions known to each other. Genma led off, "I'm sorry my old friend, things have changed." Soun nodded sadly, not quite understanding. Genma was trying to imply something, but he couldn't figure out what.

"Well I for one am relieved," Akane stated not even close to exaggerating. "I will not be engaged against my will; especially to a boy! She spat the final word.

Ranko felt a strange twinge of excitement at that, but didn't show anything. Soun was looking at her like he was trying to discern her from 'Ranma'.

"So what now, my old friend? What do we do now?" Soun asked, turning to Genma.

"Now," Akane said, "We continue without an engagement, since nobody is getting engaged to anybody today. Ranko, do you still want to spar?" She asked, turning to the girl in question. "Sure, anything beats sitting here watching them," Ranko said indicating Soun and Genma. They both got to their feet. Akane offered her her hand again and Ranko took it. Akane gently led her outside and around to the back of their home to the family dojo.

Once inside, they bowed to the shrine, then each other. Ranko assumed her stance. Namely, relaxed with her hands clasped behind her back. Akane recognized the stance and grinned. This was going to be fun. "Hyaaah!" Akane shouted as she punched out at Ranko. Just before she made contact, Ranko ducked under her arm and grappled it. With one fluid motion, she flung Akane across the dojo where she rolled upon landing to soften the blow. Getting back up, Akane saw Ranko rising with her back to her. Thinking she had an advantage, she ran up and punched at her unprotected back. Just as she was about to make contact, Ranko vanished completely. Blinking in surprise, Akane looked below her and beside her but couldn't locate Ranko. A tap on the back of her neck startled her into looking behind herself. Ranko stood there with an impish grin on her face. They both burst out laughing.

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As Ranko stood waiting for Akane to make the first move, she decided that she should test Akane's skill before going all out. She didn't want to overwhelm her but, was hoping she was better than the other timeline's Akane. She wanted a challenge! However; there was only one way to tell. "Hyaaah!" Akane shouted as she punched at her. Ranko watched her form and noted the speed of the attack. It was as she assumed, she noted glumly. She'll have to train Akane herself if she wanted a good training partner.

Waiting until the last second, she ducked under Akane's arm and grappled it. She then gently threw her Akane across the dojo using her own momentum to power the throw. To Ranko's pleasant surprise, Akane rolled successfully to soften the landing. Getting up intentionally with her back to Akane, she listened as Akane got back up and punched at her back. Fine tuning her senses with chi, she waited for the moment just before impact. Then using her chi amplified speed, she jumped up in a backward flip over Akane's head. She noted that Akane couldn't even see her as she flew above her. Landing softly behind Akane, she waited a second to see if Akane had heard her land. When it was evident she hadn't, Ranko decided to end the contest and gently tapped Akane on the back of her neck. She couldn't suppress an impish grin when Akane looked over her shoulder with a look of surprise. Laughter bubbled up and she doubled over laughing as Akane joined her in helpless laughter.

When the laughter subsided Akane said, "I'm so glad you're a girl, Ranko. No boy has ever beaten me and I'd hate for you to be the first. But you're a girl so it doesn't matter in the end." Akane saw the emotions passing over Ranko's face as she spoke. They were subdued. "Ranko, What's wrong?" she asked kindly.

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"Ranko, what's wrong?" Akane asked her kindly. Ranko felt torn. While it was true that she's a girl, she had spent most of her life as a boy. It hurt her to realize this information might undo her friendship with Akane. But she didn't want to lie, even by omission. It would be unforgivable to hide something like this. Steeling her resolve, she looked Akane in the eyes. What she saw there nearly broke her resolve, but she held strong and forged ahead. "Akane, there's some things that I need to tell you. Promise me that you'll listen to it all before you say or do anything, okay?" Ranko pleaded.

Akane was confused, what could Ranko be so afraid of? "Okay Ranko, I trust you. You have my word.," She said. Swallowing her nervousness, Ranko said, "It's a long story, maybe we should sit down." Sitting down they looked at each other. Ranko felt like her heart was turning to glass. Perhaps it was. Akane was in a position to hurt her badly.

"So this story starts approximately a 2 weeks ago." Ranko took a deep breath and launched into her story of Jusenkyo, her timeline trip and everything since then. including the discovery of her birth as a boy artificially. While she told Akane her story, multiple emotions would flash across Akane's face. It was mostly disbelief, but there was anger, surprise and shock too. When the story was finished, Akane looked angry and confused. 'Here it comes' Ranko thought with dread.

Taking a deep breath, Akane tried to assimilate the information in the story. It didn't seem possible, but why would Ranko make this up? There was no reason to. Still, if it was true, that meant Ranko was Ranma, but that Ranma should have been Ranko all along. Akane put her head in her hands. It was too much, she would need proof but inwardly worried. What if it was true? How would she react? How should she react? She looked up at Ranko, who was unconsciously biting her lower lip in nervousness. Akane needed to say something, anything, to reassure her friend while she figured out how she felt about this. "Thank you for trusting me with this Ranko. I'm just overwhelmed at the moment. Give me some time to process all this, okay?" Akane asked. Ranko looked on edge still but at least looked a little calmer.

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"Thank you for trusting me with this Ranko. I'm just a little overwhelmed at the moment. Give me some time to process all this, okay?" Akane asked her. Ranko let some of the tension leave her, but inwardly still worried. What if Akane thought she was crazy? What if she thought Ranko was a perverted boy? Waiting would not be easy, but for Akane she would. "O-okay, Akane," Ranko said tentatively. Akane smiled and Ranko relaxed some more. Maybe, just maybe, it'll work out. "Just don't tell anyone. Especially your dad."

Akane nodded, "That goes without saying, you baka." They giggled at that.

Ranko stood up, "I'm going to head inside, if that's alright with you." Nodding assent, Akane joined her on her feet and showed Ranko back into the house and gave her a grand tour of the Tendo family home, ending at the guest room door.

"You can sleep here, okay?" Akane said, "it'll be a separate room from your father's." Ranko nodded in thanks and Akane left to her room. After a moment, Ranko realized she needed to go soak to wash off the sweat and stress from their workout and subsequent talk.

Grabbing a change of clothes, Ranko noticed how little clothing she had. 'I really need to go clothes shopping,' she thought before leaving to go to the furo. After disrobing in the laundry room, she walked on into the bathroom. Scrubbing herself, she then dumped a washbasin of cold water over herself to rinse off. Getting up, she walked over to the furo and grimaced. 'Hot water...dang it.' she thought disappointed that she would have to change into a boy to enjoy it. She climbed in and immediately felt the tingling that signaled the change. Sitting down, she looked at her hands. They looked huge! Ranko scrunched up her face in pain and anger. This should never have been!

She was so preoccupied that she didn't notice Akane had come in and left wordlessly. That is, until a scream emanated from the laundry room. "No! Akane, wait!" Ranko shouted while scrambling out of the furo. Quickly she poured another washbasin of cold water over herself to change back into her true form. She rushed into the laundry room and after finding Akane already gone, dressed quickly. Clamoring into the hall, she looked around. Hearing Akane's voice coming from downstairs, she ran down the stairs three at a time. At the bottom of the stairs, she could see Akane's back to her as she was frantically talking to Kasumi.

"Akane?" Ranko asked fearfully. Akane stopped talking and slowly looked over her shoulder at Ranko. She had a trapped, fearful look on her face, but worst of all was the betrayal Ranko could see in her eyes. Akane didn't say anything, just kept the same look on her face as she continued staring at Ranko.

Ranko slowly backed up; shaking her head from side to side and began to feel an overwhelming sense of panic surge within her. As soon as that began, she felt the world begin to recede. 'No...Akane, no...' she thought to herself.

"Ranko?" Kasumi said worriedly, "You don't look so good. Maybe you should lay down," Kasumi continued as she walked over and placed a hand on Ranko's forehead.

Ranko didn't notice any of this; and as she looked up at Kasumi, her vision kept going up. When it reached the ceiling, She passed out.

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As Ranko passed out, Kasumi caught her. "Oh my! Akane, she just passed out. The poor dear," she said.

Akane looked at Ranko in her sister's arms and suddenly felt a wave of shame as she came back to her senses. Ranko had passed out because of her! Akane felt an inexplicable rage towards Genma for putting Ranko in such a horrible predicament. Making up her mind she said, "Put her in my bed, it'll be better than her futon." Kasumi nodded and together they took Ranko up to Akane's room. Placing Ranko on the bed, Akane covered her in the blankets. "I'll stay with her, Oneechan," Akane promised.

Sitting on the side of the bed Akane looked down at Ranko. "Okay, make sure you call for me if something happens," Kasumi replied and walked out of the room. As she was leaving, she saw the look on Akane's face as Akane regarded the redhead sleeping on the bed. Kasumi looked again as she was closing the door, more closely this time. 'Maybe Nabiki is right, she sure seems to like her,' Kasumi thought with a small smile on her face. She shut the door.

Once the door was closed, Akane's mind began to wander into uncharted territory. She felt protective of the redheaded girl sleeping on her bed. Akane noticed a stray hair in Ranko's face and brushed it out of the way. Noticing what she'd done, she whispered to herself, "Baka!" She look down into Ranko's face and her eyes fixed onto Ranko's lips. 'Those are really cute...' Akane thought. Suddenly she realized what she'd thought. Appalled, she slapped herself across the face. 'What's wrong with me?' She thought to herself.

To distract herself, she slid to the floor near the end of the bed on the side. She was just staring at the floor when something wet landed on her hand. Looking down, another drop landed on her other hand. It was then that she knew she was crying. Giving herself to the pain, she cried hard and deep. How is Ranko going to forgive her for her reaction? 'I wasn't the one who was betrayed, she was,' Akane thought miserably. She was so upset, she didn't hear Ranko wake up.

"Are you alright Akane? What's wrong?" a voice from above and to her right asked worriedly. Akane looked up into startling clear blue eyes that were looking back at her.

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Ranko woke to the sound of crying. She looked around, 'Where am I?' she thought. Pushing herself onto her elbow, she looked down and saw Akane on the floor with her back against the end of the side of the bed. She was sobbing. Worried, Ranko asked, "Are you alright Akane? What's wrong?" Akane looked up at her revealing deep brown eyes that were looking into hers.

"Ranko! Are you okay? I'm so sorry for how I reacted. Please forgive me!" Akane pleaded, desperate need in her voice.

Ranko felt a warm feeling spreading through her. Akane was worried about her? "It's okay Akane. There's nothing to forgive. On the other hand I feel weak, but better. I need to lay down a couple more minutes to recover. Other than that, I'm okay."

Akane smiled a watery smile and nodded. Wiping her eyes, she got on her knees and gave Ranko a hug. "Thank you for being my friend, Ranko." Ranko hugged her back and replied, "Thank you for being my friend, Akane. I mean it." After they separated, Akane sat on the end of the bed.

"What now?" Akane asked. "Where will you go? What will you do?" Ranko thought for a while. "I'm not sure. I'd like the road trip to be over. But for what to do or where to go, I don't know."

"Well," Akane started, "What about school? You're always going to be welcome here, so why not stay?"

Ranko gave this some serious thought. School was a good idea, and she had no place to go, staying here wasn't a bad idea at all. Then she thought of her curse, "School would be bad Akane, think about my curse! Locker rooms...and then there's your father. When he learns about my curse..." she trialed off.

"We can deal with that when, and if that happens. Besides, you'll want to enroll in school after summer break, in about five weeks. Otherwise, you'll have to cram for finals in the next week. That'll giver us time to figure something out," Akane said.

Ranko thought for a moment. Maybe it could work. "Okay," Ranko started with a smile, "I'll try it. I'll stay here and go to school starting next semester." She sobered, "I just hope that nobody else discovers my curse before we can do something about it."

"Oh, it's a little late for that..." a voice on the other side of the door said. It opened to reveal Nabiki standing there. "We need to have a little chat, Ranko," she said.

This one is the first of 6 chapters that have already been written in full. I will post another in the next month or so at the most (I'm hoping). Published: 9/2/23 Rewrite done 9/16/23