Who Really Loves You?
By Brian
Author's notes: All hail Takahashi-sama!
Nodoka Saotome, mother to Ranma Saotome, sat in a room in the
newly rebuilt Saotome house. She sat staring across the table at her
son. His plan to remove his fiancees was risky to say the least. She
hoped that it would finally solve this problem of his. Whether it would
do so, and whether or not the final outcome would be to their liking was
another matter entirely.
"Are you sure about this, my son?"
"Yes, mother. It is the only way. I can see myself married to
any one of them, but not without the others interfering."
"Very well Ranma, but first we must explain your curse to Kodachi-
chan. All things must be equal if this is to work, which means that she
must know of your other self."
"I have already invited her over to the house mother."
After Ranma finished that statement, all at once there came a
tapping, a tapping at the chamber door.
"Ranma-sama. I, your beloved, have come just as you requested."
"I believe it was wise of you do invite her over my son."
Ranma nodded in response.
The door to the room burst open allowing a flood of black rose
petals to enter with it.
"Ranma-sama!"
"Kodachi-chan, please, sit. We have much to talk about."
"Ah, Saotome-san, it is an honor to see you again."
Kodachi sat down at the table at the opposite end of Nodoka,
uncomfortably close to Ranma. He did not seem to notice. He was rather
deep in thought.
"Ranma-chan, would you please leave for a moment?"
"Yes, mother."
After Ranma left, Kodachi seemed to almost... deflate, and her
eyes seemed to become almost cold, that was going to make things just
that much harder for her. Nodoka prepared herself to confront Kodachi
with the true purpose of wanting her here.
"Kodachi-chan, if I may ask, why is it that you are interested in
my son?"
"Of course you may ask, Saotome-san... As you have no doubt
witnessed since you came to be here, Ranma-sama is a capable warrior. A
kind-hearted, generous, compassionate, god of a man."
Nodoka smiled at the girl's response, it was all true, her son was
kind-hearted, generous, compassionate, and a skilled fighter, if a bit
insensitive at times. This was common knowledge, and not quite enough
in Nodoka's book to earn the enthusiasm that Kodachi showed.
"That may be so Kodachi-chan, but that cannot be the only reason
you are attracted to my son."
Kodachi was genuinely shocked at the insight that Mrs. Saotome
possessed. Her next sentence was barely above a whisper. "Yes, there
is another reason..."
"And that is?"
Kodachi looked up at Nodoka, tears threatening to flow from her
eyes. "He was the first man to ever show me compassion, Saotome-san.
He was the first man to ever truly care about what happened to me."
"But don't you live with your father and brother?"
If Nodoka had believed it possible, she would have thought that
Kodachi's eyes became even harder at that statement. "As I said,
Saotome-san. Ranma-sama was the first man to ever truly care what
happened to me."
As the full weight of what Kodachi was saying settled on Nodoka,
she noted the girl's incredible ability to slip in and out of her own
world almost completely at random. Always though if it were important,
she would pay attention. If it was important enough, she was fairly
certain that Kodachi could remain as levelheaded as she herself could.
"I see, Kodachi-chan. Are you are aware of Ranma's curse as
well?"
"What curse, Saotome-san? Do you mean that he is cursed to have
those four other women chase after him constantly?"
"Four? Kodachi-chan?"
"Yes, the chinese bim..." Nodoka looked at her harshly. "I mean,
Xian Pu, Ukyo Kuonji, Akane Tendo, and the pig-tailed girl that my
brother obsesses about."
"No Kodachi-chan, I'm afraid that that isn't the way that it is...
the pig-tailed girl is not chasing after my son."
"She isn't? But she has fought so fiercely, she even defeated me,
in the hopes of keeping him away from me. It just doesn't make sense
that she wouldn't be after him."
"Yes it does, Kodachi-chan. You see, my son, during his journey,
trained in the land of China."
"Yes?"
"And in China there are many things magical, one of these things
is the cursed training ground known as Jusenkyo."
"I have heard of this place. Legend says that if you should fall
into one of the many cursed springs there that you shall permanently
take the form of whatever drowned there long ago. But that doesn't
account for the pig-tailed girl as I have seen both her and Ranma
several times since he came here."
"Kodachi-chan, the change is not permanent. If ever you fall into
one of the cursed springs, then you shall take the form of whatever
drowned there whenever doused with cold water. Hot water will turn you
back to normal."
"But that means... during the gymnastics match... with the hot
water... that Ranma-sama is the pig-tailed girl... and I tried to...my
god..."
"Ranma-chan, would you come in here please."
The door opened to reveal Ranma, still in his male form. Standing
just outside the door. "Yes, mother?"
"Would you sit down please?"
Ranma took his seat near the table, next to Kodachi, who looked to
be on the verge of tears.
"Ranma-sama, is it true? Are you really the pig-tailed girl?"
"Yes, Kodachi." To further answer her question, Ranma took a
glass of water from the table and dumped it over himself, becoming
smaller, curvier, and softer. Kodachi glomped onto him with a
fierceness that belied her current state and started sobbing into
Ranma's shirt.
"Oh, Ranma-sama, I'm so happy..."
"WHAT?"
Kodachi looked up from where she had her head in the redhead's
blouse and smiled. "Ranma-sama, over the past couple of months, I
started to develop feelings for the 'pig-tailed girl', even going so far
as to steal part of my brother's photo collection. I put those photos
in the same place that I had my photos of you. I was scared that I was
betraying you and did not know why I felt the way that I did, so I began
to attack the pig-tailed girl more and more. I was afraid that she had
done something to me. But now I know why I felt the way that I did. I
b-believe that deep down I realized what you were. My brother has done
much the same thing. Have you not noticed that he has been seeking the
pig-tail... your female form less and less as time passed. He must know
the truth, but now is not willing to admit it."
Nodoka watched the exchange rather dubiously. Since the failed
wedding almost a year ago her son had been attempting to reconcile with
all of the girls, Akane and Ukyo especially. She had watched as he had
grown to see the good in each of them. She had watched as he had grown
close to them, even Kodachi, in his attempts to end the problems that he
never asked for. All so that he could be happy. That incident
involving Genma, Kodachi, an all you can eat restaurant and a marriage
contract hadn't made things any easier. Nodoka had also noticed that
with Ranma's help Kodachi's behavior had improved tremendously, she was
still rather... unstable, but nowhere near as bad as she had been at the
time of the wedding, even though she had not been there. He had even
helped her to tame that... laugh, if it could be called one.
She had no doubts as to the secret to her son's happiness. As
long as he chose the girl that he felt loved him the most, he would be
happy, and her son's happiness was all that truly mattered to her.
"Kodachi-chan?"
"Yes, Saotome-san?"
"I thank you for coming here, if you would excuse us please, my
son and I must speak on this matter, as well as others of importance."
"Very well Saotome-san, since you ask it. I shall leave, for now.
Goodbye Ranma-sama." With a kiss to the surprised girl's cheek, Kodachi
was gone.
"Well, Ranma, that was... interesting."
Nodoka stared at her son, who was looking straight ahead with some
sort of odd shell-shocked expression. Oh, my poor Ranma-chan "I
think that we should speak to Shampoo next, son."
The redhead nodded with the same stupefied expression.
*-*-*-*
Later at the Kuno mansion...
"My twisted sister. What news have you of my pig-tailed goddess?"
Kodachi gave her brother a stare that was normally reserved for
the clowns one would see at the circus, and began to laugh, and laugh,
and laugh. Not her standard cackling, but something that could almost
pass as normal.
*-*-*-*
Genma Saotome was having a horrible day, Nodoka was planning
something, and she had Ranma and Nabiki in on it. That eliminated any
chance of finding out what it was. Apparently, Kasumi had said that she
didn't know and that just made Genma all the more nervous. He had known
he was making a mistake by engaging his son to Kodachi Kuno as well, his
hospital stay had proven that, but he had just been so hungry.
Walking upstairs, he headed into the room at the end of the hall.
Well, maybe I can double whatever it was Nodoka paid her.
"Oh, Nabiki."
"What do you want Mr. Saotome, I'm busy here."
"Can I speak with you for a moment."
Scuffling was heard on the other side of the doorway, obviously
Nabiki was hiding something. "Okay, you can come in."
"Nabiki, I was wondering, do you happen to have any idea what it
is that my wife and son are planning. I have not been able to find out
anything yet."
"No, I do not know what it is Mr. Saotome. Nodoka told me I was
not to know, and as such, not to interfere. I gave her my word. No
matter what you may think of me, I'm not about to go back on my word."
Genma knew when he was beaten...
"Now get out of my room, I have college to pack for."
*-*-*-*
Nodoka and Ranma were making their way through the streets of the
Nerima district; their destination was the Nekohanten. Home of Nerima's
entire chinese amazon population and the best ramen joint in town. Also
the only ramen joint in town. The path was cut off a swath of chains
and harpoons, precisely aimed towards Ranma.
"SAOTOME! PREPARE TO DIE!"
Ranma was the first to respond. "Ah, perfect, just who I wanted
to see."
"I AM GOI... huh?"
"Mousse old buddy, we gotta talk."
"But... what about our fight?"
"Not today. We have more important things to discuss."
Nodoka interjected at this point. "Yes, Mousse-san. I need to
speak with you."
"Ah, yes, Mrs. Saotome."
Ranma was annoyed at the amount of time this conversation was
taking. "Small talk is wonderful and all, but I don't suppose we could
cut to the chase here."
"Yes... Mousse-san, we need you to do us a favor."
"Why should I do you a fav..."
Ranma stopped his comment with one that Mousse considered much
more important. "It could help you win Shampoo."
"What do you need?"
*-*-*-*
All three of them arrived at the Nekohanten, walking together,
peacefully, which was a surprise to the proprietors to say the least. A
purple-haired bubble of energy was ready at the door when they came
through.
"AIREN! Shampoo so happy you come visit, we go on date, yes?" She
took a moment to peruse the group that had arrived. "Saotome-san, it
good you come with Airen to see Shampoo and... Mousse what you doing
with Airen?"
Deviating from his normal behavior, Mousse just favored her with a
giant ear to ear grin and ran up to his room in the attic. "I must
pack."
"Where Mousse go?"
"We sent him on a training trip, Xian Pu-chan. We needed his help
with something."
"Oh, that okay Saotome-san. Shampoo no mind. Great-grandmother
might though..."
At that moment, Mousse came down the stairs from the attic, his
robes seeming slightly thicker than usual, Shampoo was fairly certain
that if she were to go up to the attic she would find it empty.
"Old Ghoul! I'm going on a training trip, I'll be back in a week,
and then Shampoo will be my bride."
A diminutive troll on a stick hopped out of the kitchen to
confront the blind martial-artist.
"Well then, future son-in-law, allow me to help you on your
way." That said, she swung her cane like a golf club and Mousse was
on his way.
"As if he could ever beat Shampoo. Now I have to get the roof
repaired... Son-in-law, Saotome-san, it is always good to see you, if
you will excuse me. The lunchtime rush is approaching."
The spectacle, apparently a normal event, did not dissuade any of
the regulars from their meal. In fact, they seemed to have not taken
any notice of it.
"Khu lon-san, I would like to speak to you on behalf of my son."
Cologne was slightly taken aback at Nodoka's request but was not
about to deny herself the opportunity to better know Mrs. Saotome.
This is either very, very good. Or very, very bad.
"Very well, Saotome-san. Shampoo, you cook. Son-in-law, there's
a bucket of cold water in the kitchen, and one of Shampoo's waitress
uniform's in the closet."
After situating themselves in a corner booth, so that they
wouldn't be overheard by anyone. Nodoka began to speak to Cologne.
"Cologne-san, my son has decided that he has no real preference
among his fiancees, over the time since the wedding... incident, he has
gotten to know all four of them rather well and has come to like each of
them. Even young Ms. Kuno. I, personally, would prefer it if he chose
to marry either Akane, Nabiki or Kasumi, and fulfill the vow that we
made to Mr. Tendo. But he is his own person, and I will respect
whatever decision he makes."
"I have noticed his closeness to each of the girls as well,
Saotome-san. But I would think that he would choose Akane, as much I
hate to admit it."
"A year ago... and you would have been right. But Akane refuses
to acknowledge her feelings for him, and she has slowly broken down his
feelings for her. He can grow to love her again, quite easily I think.
All she has to do is trust him, and become a little more patient."
"Forgive me a cruel chuckle Nodoka but... fat chance."
The two women, matriarchs of their respective clans, took a moment
to watch as Shampoo and Ranma-chan engaged in a high speed game of 'pin
the Ramen on Ranma'. Ranma would take the orders, and Shampoo would
cook them at high speed, then send them flying for Ranma head. Where
they would be deflected to their respective tables. Both were laughing
as it continued, customers filing in and out of the restaurant.
"Ah, but he does bring in the customers as a girl... has he
determined how he will make his choice yet Nodoka?"
"Yes, Cologne, he has..."
"And I don't suppose that you will tell me how he will do this."
"Ah, but that would provide Shampoo with an unfair advantage, and
we can't have that, now can we?"
"I guess we can't. I only hope that he will choose Shampoo. Or
should I say, that you will choose Shampoo."
Nodoka's mind mulled over this for a few moments. Ah, but it is
all up to her Cologne-san, it is all up to her...
"I would prefer to speak to Shampoo if I could, but it would
appear that she is rather busy at the moment."
"That is no problem, Nodoka, I will fetch her."
"Thank you."
Cologne got up to her perch and hopped over to where Shampoo was
still cooking up a storm, and traded places with her. Doing things just
that much faster.
"Son-in-law's mother wishes to speak with you, go."
"Yes, great-grandmother."
Shampoo made her way towards the booth where Nodoka was waiting,
she spared a glance behind her to see Ranma get beaned in the head with
four bowls of Ramen. It was amusing to say the least. She sat down
across from the intimidating older woman and waited for her to begin
speaking.
"Xian pu-chan?"
"Yes, Saotome-san?"
"I have been meaning to ask you this for some time now, why are
you interested in my son?"
"Um, well, Shampoo has..."
"Remember what we talked about."
"Yes, Saotome-san. *I* have seen Ranma do amazing things since
Sham... I came here. Ranma do things that just make Sham.. me love him
more and more. Did Ranma ever tell you he save Shampoo from ghost cat?
Ranma face worst fear to help Shampoo, he save Shampoo from many
dangers. He prove again and again that he brave man. He strong...
also, he nice to Shampoo. When he not trying to get rid of Shampoo so
Akane not hit him., he can be very nice to Shampoo. He only person
besides Mousse, great-grandmother, and you that ever think Shampoo not
complete idiot."
Nodoka had to admit that it was true. While she liked the girl
very much, she couldn't deny that her way of speaking implied that she
wasn't very bright. Her son, herself, Cologne, and Mousse were the only
ones who ever gave her any credit when it came to matters of
intelligence.
"I see, but surely you could marry Mousse just as easily as you
could marry my son."
"Saotome-san... Mousse is friend, he always want be more than
that. But Shampoo just cannot see him as anything else. Shampoo know
him since very young, and Mousse always there for Shampoo. But Shampoo
just not see him as husband. Anyway, according to law Shampoo no can
marry Mousse. He unable to win challenge against Shampoo."
"Shampoo-chan, what will you do if my son does not decide to marry
you?"
"Shampoo want stay with Ranma."
"I see that, but..."
"Shampoo want stay with Ranma, Shampoo love Ranma."
"I understand Shampoo-chan... could you ask your great-grandmother
if she has an herbal headache remedy please." Nodoka placed her fingers
on her temples and began a slow circular motion.
"Yes, Saotome-san."
"And Shampoo-chan..."
"Yes?"
"Work on your pronouns some more please."
"Okay, *I* will."
*-*-*-*
Ranma and Nodoka exited the Nekohanten; Cologne's headache remedy
had worked wonders. Turning to face each other the two shared the same
thought almost as one.
Now, on to Ukyo...
*-*-*-*
Ranma entered the Ucchan's first, he wanted Ukyo to feel relaxed
when he and his mother discussed their engagement. Of all the girls,
save Akane, Ukyo was the one he could bear to hurt the least. He did
not know how she would take it when his plan went into effect, and that
was what scared him. He noted idly that the Ucchan, as usual, was
filled to capacity.
He took a seat at the counter and waited for Ukyo to notice his
presence, it did not take very long.
"RAN-CHAN!" Ukyo favored him with an enthusiastic, though not
quite rib-cracking, hug.
"Hey, Ucchan, how's business going?"
Letting go of Ranma, Ukyo poured several okonomiyaki onto the
grill, preparing them for customers. Taking extra care with all three
of Ranma's super-deluxe-specials. "So, what brings you to my humble
establishment, Ran-chan?"
In answer to her question, Nodoka entered the restaurant with an
impressive gust of wind. "I need to speak with you Ukyo-chan."
Ukyo's face shifted to a pale color. She could only hope that
this wasn't what she thought it was.
Ukyo began walking to the back and signaled Mrs. Saotome to
follow. Ukyo walked up the stairs towards the room that served as her
living quarters. It was not a palace, but it was home, and she felt
comfortable there. If this was what she thought it was, she wanted it
to happen on her turf.
Walking over to her bed, Ukyo sat on the foot and turned to face
the door as Nodoka entered. The din from the restaurant below was
silenced when the door closed. Nodoka turned to face Ukyo, who was
doing her best to remain calm about this. "Ukyo-chan... I wish to know,
why is it that you are interested in my son?"
Ukyo breathed an audible sigh of relief; Nodoka wasn't here to
call off the engagement. "Mrs. Saotome?"
"Yes, dear."
"Why?"
Nodoka looked at Ukyo suspiciously. "Ukyo-chan, this charade has
gone on long enough. My son will choose one of you. It will be his
decision and I will not interfere in any way. I am merely asking you
the same question that I have already asked Shampoo and Kodachi. Why do
you wish to marry my son?"
The look in Ukyo's eyes shifted quickly from fear to respect.
"Very well, Mrs. Saotome. I will tell you." Ukyo motioned for Nodoka
to sit on the bed next to her as she began her tale.
*-*-*-*
Nodoka left Ukyo's bedroom. She was thankful that Cologne had
given her a several capsules of that herbal headache remedy. Ukyo's
tale had been a long one, and Nodoka could not help but feel truly
sympathetic towards the girl. Ukyo exited shortly after, having cleaned
herself up. There was still a slight redness to her eyes, revealing how
difficult it had been for her to unload her tale onto Mrs. Saotome.
Exiting down into the restaurant proper found Konatsu still
standing behind the grill, with a few lumps of blackened okonomiyaki on
it. The restaurant was empty of all save Ranma.
Ukyo's face took on an almost frightening shade of red.
"KONATSU NO BAKA!"
*-*-*-*
As Nodoka and Ranma left the restaurant, Nodoka placed a hand to
her head again. This was going to be very very hard on all of the
girls. But Ranma had no choice. The problem would be resolved within a
month. After all, the entire plan had been his idea.
*-*-*-*
Mother and son entered the Tendo compound. Kasumi greeted them at
the door, which led to her being the first to be interviewed by Nodoka.
Ranma headed into the dojo to begin going through some katas and workout
a bit, while Kasumi and Nodoka headed upstairs.
Entering the room, Kasumi and Nodoka situated themselves at ther
foot of Kasumi's bed. Nodoka began her period of questioning.
"Kasumi, what do you think of my son?"
"I think that he's... a very mature young man Mrs. Saotome.
He has always shown great poise when dealing with his fiancees and
other problems. He has never once resorted to violence to get any of
the girls to leave him alone."
Nodoka's eyes narrowed. "I see, Kasumi. But what do you
think of him... as a man?
Kasumi began blushing horribly as Nodoka's implication sank
in. "Why Mrs. Saotome I... er... he's... he is just to young for me.
I couldn't possibly..." Kasumi began fidgeting and started studying
her hands.
"But didn't you just say he was a very mature young man?"
Kasumi nodded, blushing an even darker shade of red as
Mrs. Saotome turned to leave the room. "I never truly thought of him
in such a way Mrs. Saotome."
Nodoka turned her head to look back at the blushing girl on
the bed. "Do not forget, Kasumi-chan, you are held by my husband's
agreement to your father as well."
Kasumi was left blushing on the bed as Nodoka exited the room.
*-*-*-*
Nodoka exited the room, she was not certain of Kasumi's feelings
toward her son, but she had suspicions. It did not truly matter if
Kasumi did not love Ranma. If she did though, things would be most
interesting. Nodoka turned and headed down the hall. Reaching the end
of the corridor, she knocked on the door. Hearing a barely audible
'Come in.' Nodoka turned the knob and entered Nabiki's lair.
*-*-*-*
Nabiki looked up from where she was lying on her bed and was
surprised to see that it was Nodoka who had entered her room. None of
this showed on her face however. She remained calm and collected as
Nodoka sat down at her desk.
"What can I do for you auntie?"
Nodoka looked at Nabiki with a slight smile covering her features.
"Nabiki-chan, what do you think of my son?"
Nabiki's eyes widened to the size dinner plates when Nodoka's
question sank in. "What possible reason could you have for asking
something like that?" Nabiki's response would have sound perfectly
heartless to anyone else. But Nodoka noticed the slight reddish tint to
her cheeks. Nabiki gathered control of herself and looked up towards
Nodoka.
Nabiki lowered her eyes to the magazine on her bed as she began to
speak. "I think that your son. While insensitive, unsophisticated, and
a tad on the uneducated side. Is one of the most honorable men I have
ever met in my entire life."
Nodoka was stunned. She had not expected quite such response from
Nabiki. She had heard Akane's tale of the time Nabiki had gotten
herself engaged to Ranma, and had expected Nabiki to see Ranma as a
source of income. Not much else.
"However..." Nabiki began "I will be heading off to college soon,
so don't even THINK of trying to foist him off on me. Besides, he
doesn't feel for me anyway." Nabiki was downcast as she finished
speaking.
From downstairs came the gentle sound of Akane Tendo. "RANMA NO
BAKA!"
It was accompanied by a loud thump, which caused the house to
vibrate slightly as Ranma was forcably ejected from the dojo... through
the wall.
Nodoka stood from where she had been lost in thought and headed
towards the door. "If you will excuse me Nabiki-chan. I think I must
go speak to Akane now."
"Mrs. Saotome!"
Nodoka turned to face Nabiki who was no sitting up on the side of
her bed. "Yes, dear?"
"Could you please not tell Akane what I just said?"
"Why?"
Nabiki gave Nodoka a look which spoke volumes. "Because I want
Ranma to live until his next birthday."
Nodoka stared at the middle Tendo sister. "You don't honestly
think Akane would..."
"I know that she is capable of it Saotome-san. She has very
little self control. She loves him, but she is jealous to an
unbelievable degree."
*-*-*-*
Nodoka entered the dojo to see a fuming Akane breaking through
pile after pile of cinder blocks. A small black pig was watching from
the corner.
"Akane-chan?"
Akane looked up to see Mrs. Saotome looking at her with severe
disapproval in her eyes. "Yes Auntie?"
"Why did you hit my son through the wall?"
Akane's face turned red with rage. "He was picking on P-Chan, and
he said that I wasn't as good as he was at martial arts."
"What exactly did he do to P-chan, Akane?"
As if in example, Akane grabbed the diminuitive black pig by his
bandanna and held him in the air. The pig showed no visible signs of
discomfort. "He was holding him like this when he handed him to me. My
poor baby could have been strangled."
"And what was the other thing he did, Akane-chan?"
Akane clenched her fist and clutched P-chan to her chest. "We
were sparring and I asked him why he wouldn't fight me. All he did was
dodge. He said it was because he had been training his entire life and
was better than me, and that he didn't want to hurt me."
"Now Akane-chan, are you as good as my son at martial arts?"
"Well, no, but... I mean... he... It's his fault!"
"I see Akane-chan." Nodoka turned around and began to exit the
dojo. "I think I have all the information I need."
*-*-*-*
Within two weeks, Mousse had returned from the trip that Nodoka
and Ranma had sent him on. Using the resources they had at their
disposal. Nabiki, Ranma, and Nodoka gather everyone in the dojo for the
decision that was to be made. Happosai had been taken care of as well.
He would not be able to interfere in any way.
*-*-*-*
Somewhere in China...
Happosai was at the bottom of a deep pit. He was tethered by a
steel cord which limited his jumping ability to only a few meters.
Given his height, the highest he could reach was about six feet off the
ground.
Seven feet above Happosai, was the largest net full of panties and
assorted ladies undergarments in the known world. On the side of the
pit sat Pantsuto Tarou. Who was grinning his most evil grin.
"If you change my name I'll release the net, old man."
*-*-*-*
Ranma sat at the far side of the dojo. In front of him, a few
feet away, sat Kasumi, Akane, Kodachi, Shampoo, and Ukyo, in a line.
Nodoka stood behind Ranma, next to Mousse and Nabiki. Nodoka was
holding a large sack.
The entire rest of the population of Nerima and crowded into the
dojo. Nabiki had sold tickets to the 'Unveiling of the bride of Ranma'
ceremony. The income from those ticket sales had all but put the
Tendo's on easy street. All the girls had come to shower the bride with
giggles and best wishes. All the guys had come because they expected
that their would be three single girls left after the ceremony. Nobody
had expected Kasumi to be sitting in the line with Ranma's other
potential brides.
Nodoka reached into her sack and removed five outfits, all
identical to Ranma's. They consisted of a red silk chinese shirt, and a
pair of black pants and slippers. Each of the five girls was instructed
to don these outfits. It took almost twenty minutes before Nabiki could
convince Kodachi that she shouldn't wear the leotard underneath.
Coupled with Akane's protests against wearing the same clothes as that
pervert, all five were prepared within one half hour.
Kasumi and Kodachi looked rather uncomfortable in the shirts and
pants but said nothing. Shampoo looked decidedly unconcerned and Ukyo
looked right at home. Akane looked like she wanted to know what was going on.
Next came Mousse. He stepped forward and produced from his robes
a small cask labeled 'Nyaanichaun'. He proceeded to break it over
Ranma's head. Ranma's form shifted to that of a small red-haired girl.
Nodoka spoke up.
"My son is now locked in his female form. He cannot change back
into a man." To illustrate this point Nodoka took a kettle that Nabiki
had on hand and dumped it over Ranma-chan. There was no change. There
was, however, an audible gasp from the crowd. Each and every one of
Ranma's fiancees went into shock almost instantly.
Nodoka gestured to Mousse, who produced a cask labeled
'Naanichaun'. There were several shouts from the audience, including a
very loud "BWEE!"
Nodoka produced a final cask. It was labeled 'Jusenkyo water of
Permenance' The fiancees emitted strangled gasps when they realized
what would be required of them.
Nodoka spoke up in a voice that, while not loud, carried over the
din of the crowd. "If any of you five girls wishes to wed my child.
You will empty the water in these casks over your head."
Akane stood and stormed out of the dojo. She was continuously
yelling words like 'baka' and 'hentai' but if you looked, you would see
that there were tears in her eyes. Nodoka watched her go, standing
formidably, but obviously saddened by Akane's reaction. Kasumi was next,
she walked over and hugged Ranma. Wishing him the best of luck, she
exited the dojo. Soun and Genma could be heard sobbing in the
background.
Kodachi followed. "Ranma-sama... I can see why you would choose
such a fitting trial for us to prove our love to you. But I cannot be
the one." She sighed softly. "When I saw you for the first time, I
realized what a blessing it is to be female, if there are men such as
you in the world. It is something that I cannot bring myself to give
up, even for you." Kodachi, who had somehow transported herself
directly in front of Ranma, leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
She left without so much as a backward glance.
Shampoo stood. She looked back into the crowd and made eye
contact with her great-grandmother. She saw the almost imperceptible
shaking of Cologne's head and started to cry. She ran across to Mousse
and reached for the cask, but she could not bring herself to pick it up.
She looked into Ranma's eyes, the pleading look that she saw there made
her shudder imperceptibly.
Shampoo leaned down and kissed the female Ranma full on the lips.
For the first time, Ranma did not attempt to break away. Shampoo found
greater joy in that moment than in any she had ever experienced. She
also found greater sadness, knowing that she would never experience that
feeling again.
Breaking the kiss, Shampoo leaned in and whispered in Ranma's ear.
"*I* will always love you, Airen."
Shampoo exited, tears flowing freely, and was followed shortly by
Cologne. Mousse remained, as the last fiancee stood and faced her
choice.
Ukyo looked apprehensive as she stepped towards Mousse. She
reached out and plucked the cask from his hands. Looking Ranma dead in
the eye, she spoke only one phrase while holding the cask above her
head.
"It's nothin' I haven't done before, Ran-chan." Then Ukyo broke
the cask over her skull.
Ukyo could be seen to visibly shudder as the change rippled
through her. He asked for a mirror before he took the final step. When
he recieved one, he marveled at how little she had changed. His face
looked almost exactly the same and his hair was the same length. He had
merely lost his bust.
Ukyo walked over and grasped the cask Nodoka was holding. He
opened it and tipped it over his head, having learned his lesson from
the first time. He felt no different and felt nothing special as the
water washed over him. The crowd gaped as he did the unthinkable for
Ranma Saotome.
Ukyo kneeled down and hugged the red head at her feet as Ranma
whispered into her ear. "Ucchan, thank you."
Nodoka spoke up over the crowd. "As of this moment, Ukyo Kuonji
is the only person with a legitimate claim to my son."
Ukyo looked up at Nodoka. "I think you mean daughter, Mrs.
Saotome." Ukyo started giggling. Nodoka smiled down at her warmly,
"No... I mean son."
Ukyo took a moment to digest this little piece of information.
When she did, she stared at Ranma in shock. The red head gave her an
amused glance as she reached for a kettle for Ukyo. "Surprise."
Ranma dumped the contents of the kettle over a surprised Ukyo-kun,
turning him female once again. Genma and Soun could be heard erupting
in protest, screaming that the agreement was not valid. Nodoka ignored
them.
Ukyo dumped the remaining contents of the kettle over Ranma. But
sadly, there was no change of gender. Ranma responded before she could
get her question out. "Wait one hour, Ucchan. I'll be back to normal."
Ranma kissed Ukyo lightly on the cheek as the startled chef tried to
determine what was going on.
*-*-*-*
The reaction from the various fiancees was interesting to say the
least. Akane had been livid. She had tried to smash Ranma with her
hammer several times only to get it severed at the haft by one of Ukyo's
spatulas. Kasumi had accepted the engagement, it was easy for her as
she had recently recieved a reply from an ancient Tibetan monk informing
her of a way to end Dr. Tofu's condition.
The biggest surprise was Kodachi.
*-*-*-*
Ranma had met with Kodachi in the main garden of the Kuno estate.
She had been walking some of her plants from the lab back to the
greenhouse when she saw him, he was a he again. Several of her freshest
experiments shattered on the ground that day.
Ranma explained the events of the day of the contest as well as
the true nature of the contest itself. Kodachi was overjoyed that
someone had chosen to go through with it. She had been fearful of what
Ranma might do had no one elected to take the plunge.
"I do not believe that I was worthy of you anyway, Ranma-sama. I
was not willing to make that sacrifice for you. Ukyo was. I am happy
that you are happy."
Ranma grasped her hand in his, "Never say that again Kodachi. You
were just as worthy as any other. Do not feel ashamed of yourself for
making that decision. You will always be a friend to me."
"And you to me. Enjoy your life, Ranma-sama. I will find someone
else."
*-*-*-*
After learning the true nature of the contest, Shampoo had gone
into a blind rage. It was directed almost wholly at her great-
grandmother. With a little bit leftover for Mousse, as he knew the true
nature of the contest ahead of time.
*-*-*-*
Ranma and Ukyo were married within the following year. Soun and
Genma attempted to crash the wedding, but Nodoka confronted them with
the cold logic of the fact that Akane had renounced her claim. They
could find no way to fight it, and as such, took Ranma on as a teacher
at the dojo. Ranma would not be payed, but Soun promised that he would
do his best to keep Akane out of the dojo whenever Ranma was there.
Akane wound up happily married to Ryoga, it took a lot of
prompting from both Ukyo and Ranma for him to finally admit his
feelings, but he managed it. Kodachi, after a run in with a koi fishing
rod, developed an unhealthy interest in Mousse. In an effort to remove
Shampoo from competition she had Sasuke place a watermelon on the
amazon's head in the middle of a battle with Kuno. Shampoo is currently
married to him. Kodachi is still chasing Mousse.
*-*-*-*
The End?
Author's notes: In case you can't tell, this fic was inspired by Chris
Angel's "More a Woman" and Hunter Kid's ending to that story.
"With a promise of stranger things to come"
?_?
Brian, signing off...