On Thu, 6 Feb 1997, sidhu saranjit s wrote:

Hi everyone,
 
I a new one here, and I have been lurking around here for awhile
and I noticed I didn't get my copy of Clothes Make The ...
 
AAAAHHHHHHHHH :)
 
Could any of you please post or mail it to me ...
 
Many thanks and party onnnn...

Here you go.

Hitomi

Ichinohei Hitomi
Hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca
http://204.112.189.3/~hitomi
"The beginings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."

***
(nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu)
(hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca)

Clothes Make The...

Chapter One:

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kunou Tatewaki, Kunou Kodachi, Tofu Ono Sensei, and Hinako
Ninomiya Sensei are copyright 1987, 1997 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:	Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:	Viz Inc.

By Nicholas Leifker and Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ranma was lying down on his futon fuming to himself. 
	Not that this was all that unusual given the number of fiancees,
vendetta's threats, and other situations that he usually found himself
buried in, but lying quietly was not something he did all that well.  If
anything, Ranma was actually very anxious, anticipating having the house
virtually to himself.  It would be a dream come true in a way. 
	He was closing his eyes, ready to give up when a shout broke
through his reverie. 
	"See ya later!"  Akane's cry echoed through the house, causing
Ranma's ears to perk up. 
	"Take care, you two.  And have a nice time!"  Kasumi wished her
sisters good- bye, and returned to the house...all under the watchful eye
of one very nervous young man. 
	Ranma had been waiting for this night for weeks.  The other men of
the household had already left, gone out for a long night of drinking (and
panty- thieving).  His mother was gone for a couple of days, taking care
of some very special family business in another part of Tokyo.  Of the
girls, Akane and Nabiki had just gone to stay the night with friends, and
Kasumi...well, Kasumi usually just went to her room at night, read a book,
and turned in early.  Licking his lips in anticipation and nervousness, he
waited...Ranma could afford to be patient, and in this case had to be.  He
looked outside to the hallway, where Kasumi made her rounds. 
	"Hello, Ranma-kun.  What are you going to do tonight?"  Her cheery
smile beamed to the young martial artist.  He shrugged, in an attempt to
look casual. 
	"Oh...I'm kinda tired, so I figured I'd turn in.  And you?" 
	She held up a book in her hand.  "Tofu-Sensei let me borrow this
book, so I'll be busy tonight.  Goodnight, Ranma-kun." 
	"Goodnight, Kasumi."  He watched as she opened the door to her
room, and slipped inside. 
	Now...now he was free. 
	Ranma first stripped off his clothes quickly, as though the
garments were burning his skin.  Next...the glass of cold water, the
instrument of his change, came pouring over his head, causing her to come
alive.  She ripped open a wall panel, and pulled out the stash that was
inside.  If they knew about this... 
	The clothes Ranma pulled out were like nothing she had worn
before...at least, not 100% willingly.  Her blue eyes dazzled as she
beheld the forbidden objects, fear and desire nearly overwhelming her. 
	The panties came on first, black lace and silk that felt so cool
against her hot skin.  Next...the matching bra, a beautiful object that
felt a little tight around her chest...but would have to do.  She put on
the garter belt, then indulged herself in the feel of sheer luxury, taking
her time to put on the black stockings.  Ranma untied her pigtail, and let
the scarlet locks flow about her.  She took a look in the mirror, a
strange mix of emotions rising in her at the sight. 
	The creature on the other side was by no means the man Ranma had
been born, nor the martial artist she was raised to be.  If Ranma were
still a man at the moment...she would have taken his breath away.  The
lingerie hugged her curves tightly, leaving just enough to the imagination
- but not much more.  The hair that flowed to her shoulders framed her
face just so, leaving her looking seductive... dangerous...sexy.  If
Happousai could see her now...she continued posing in front of the mirror,
allowing herself to forget the guilt and fear...and be mesmerized in
herself. 
	"Ranma-kun, I thought you-" 
	The door to her room slid open, something that Ranma had not
expected and planned on.  She turned to the door just in time to see
Kasumi standing there, mouth agape, her face a strange mix of
surprise...and slight disappointment.  Ranma's face turned several shades
of crimson.  Strangely, she felt no shame...only guilt.  Kasumi relaxed
her shoulders, and smiled gently. 
	"Ranma-chan, I'll be back in a moment."  Ranma sat down on the
futon and pulled her dark-stockinged legs to her chest, waiting for the
judgment from this kind soul.  She had feared this was going to
happen...but there was no fighting it now.  Ranma just hoped this wouldn't
cause too much friction within the family. 
	A couple of minutes later, the door slid open again, and Kasumi's
footsteps come towards her.  She kept her eyes closed, waiting for the
inevitable.  Instead, Kasumi laid a small bundle of clothing on the floor,
and walked back to the door.  "Ranma-chan, if you want to talk, I'll be in
my room."  She slid the door closed once more. 
	Stunned, Ranma picked up the bundle, eyes wide in curiosity. 
Kasumi had brought in a beautiful black silk-and-lace blouse of Akane's,
as well as a checkered skirt.  Unsure of what to do, she held the garments
in her hand, weighing them as though wearing them would be a
point-of-no-return. 
	After a couple minutes of this, her features hardened, into a
near-masculine parody of her former self.  Ranma picked herself up and
determinedly put the clothes on, tired of hiding this side of herself for
so long.  She took a last look in the mirror to check her features, and
went to Kasumi's room. 
	The eldest daughter of the Tendo clan sat patiently on her bed. 
Though her expression seemed as neutral as ever, there was a touch of
strain in her features.  She looked at Ranma carefully, noting the beauty
of this former man. 
	"Would you care to sit down, Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi offered her hand
over to an empty chair.  Ranma knew better than to argue...a suggestion
like that held the force of command.  She sat down and crossed her legs
demurely, as she saw women do plenty of times.  The new woman sighed,
trying to come up with words to explain her actions. 
	"Kasumi..." 
	"Yes, Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi spoke innocently, though making sure
the child heard the feminine suffix. 
	"Kasumi...I know this looks pretty bad...but please let me
explain." 
	The woman's smile broadened.  "Oh, there's no need for you to
explain, Ranma- chan.  I understand." 
	The redhead's eyebrows shot up, incredulous.  "Do you?" 
	Kasumi's face fell.  "Truth to tell...no.  I don't think I ever
could...then again, I can't change like you can." 
	Ranma took a deep breath, letting the bra cut deeper into her
chest. "I...When I first found myself...changed, it was the most
frightening day of my life...up until a few months ago.  Up until that
point, my life, my future, everything seemed so clear to me.  I would grow
up, become a martial arts teacher, marry some girl, and raise a family." 
	"All of that disappeared the moment I hit the water.  When...when
my body became an uncertain thing, so did all of that.  I was angry at Pop
for taking that future away from me, but I was also afraid...afraid that I
would like being a girl." 
	"Do you?" 
	Ranma looked confused for a moment.  "I...I'll get back to that. 
During the first month of my curse, there was no problems.  I was running
far too much to worry about it, and I didn't have time to think about
being a girl or a guy or anything like that.  A crazy Amazon chasing after
you will do that to you." 
	She sighed.  "All of this changed the moment I came here.  I
wasn't running anymore; I had a home.  I could relax, and actually feel
what it was like to be a human being, rather than a migratory animal,
always on the run." 
	"Despite this new freedom, I still was bound and determined not to
act like a girl, that I would never wear a dress or anything like that. 
Unfortunately, fate...fate wanted me this way, I guess." 
	Ranma's eyes turned slightly accusatory.  "Less than two weeks
after I arrived, someone decided that, since all of my clothes were in the
wash, that I had to wear girls' clothes for the time being.  I...I put on
the cute little shirt and overalls...and felt guilty for it.  But, I just
had to do it, 'cause someone said I was eating them out of house and
home." Her anger relaxed.  "I never quite forgave Nabiki for that." 
	"Well, after that, I drew another line into the sand.  I vowed
that I would never wear women's underwear, no matter what.  That one I
actually kept for awhile...after all, people rarely see what kind of
underwear you have on, right?" 
	"That lasted until Happousai made me...weak.  All of a sudden, I
was helpless, as frail as a...as a girl.  That humiliation...knowing a
small child could beat the stuffing out of me...in a way, it steeled me
for what was to come.  I had been taught the 'Hiryuu Shouten Ha', but
couldn't lure Happousai into attacking me to perform it.  I tried almost
everything...and nothing had worked." 
	"That night, I crept into Nabiki's room, and talked with her. 
Even now I can taste the bile in my throat from what I was saying.  I
asked her - ASKED HER - to take pictures of me wearing lingerie.  I still
remember the feelings I had as I put that first nighty on...fear,
mainly...revulsion...but something else, too.  There was a tiny amount of
pleasure...of anticipation...to finally become something other than what I
was.  I didn't realize what it was at the time...but it was there.  I
quickly went through the photo shoot and got the pictures, and went into
the fight with the old leach." 
	The redhead shrugged.  "It probably would have ended there...if it
weren't for all the other things to come.  Picolet was probably the bit
that pushed me over the edge.  I was locked, quite literally, as a girl,
due to that damn corset they made me wear.  To top it off, I had to act
ladylike for all the guests of the house.  I...I really started to slip,
then.  I was losing it.  Then came other things...Pantsuto Taro...Mom... 
Herb..." 
	"About a week or two after the Herb incident, Hinako-sensei came
into town, and I was willing to do about anything to foil her technique. 
I..." Tears started to roll down the redhead's cheeks.  "I put on the
girls' gym shorts and top...and looked in the mirror.  I...I looked
beautiful.  I felt good, I looked good...it took me a minute to realize
what I was thinking.  When I did...it took an hour to keep from shaking." 
	The blue eyes raised to meet Kasumi's brown ones.  "That was the
worst day of my life.  In that moment, I realized that all my struggles,
all my fighting...wasn't working.  A good portion of who I was died that
day." 
	Ranma straightened back up, and fixed the placement of her skirt. 
"The descent was a slow one from there...but it was a painful one.  First
came the occasional offers to Nabiki for photo shoots.  I only did it when
I needed the money...but I didn't only do it for the money.  I...I think
she suspects, but she isn't sure.  Then the occasional 'shopping trips' to
buy this swimsuit or that lingerie set....all done at places Akane doesn't
normally shop, so that she wouldn't know.  One time Kunou spotted me, but
he doesn't count.  Tonight...tonight was the first night I tried it on my
own." 
	"Really?"  Kasumi seemed surprised at this news. 
	Ranma nodded her head.  "Really." 
	"And how did you feel?" 
	Ranma stood up, and started sobbing into Kasumi's chest.  "IT...IT
FELT WONDERFUL!  I LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL...AND...AND FEMININE...AND...." 
	"And it hurt, because you knew how disappointed your family would
be," Kasumi said, without smiling. 
	"Uh-huh..."  Ranma continued sobbing.  Kasumi brought her chin up,
and tried to dry her eyes.  She moved Ranma's head around, a glint forming
in her brown eyes. 
	"Tell you what, Ranma-chan...let's do something about that face of
yours.  You've never learned how to do makeup, right?" 
	The look on Ranma's face was of sheer disbelief.  "Are...are you
sure?  I mean...  what if..." 
	"The men won't be home for hours, and Akane and Nabiki won't be
home until dawn.  It'll be just us girls until then, okay?" 
	Ranma stiffened at the feminine classification, then smiled. 
"Okay."  She sat down in the chair, anxiously waiting for Kasumi to begin. 
The elder girl brought out her makeup kit, and started applying base to
Ranma's face. 
	"Ranma-chan...I hope you don't mind if I ask a few
questions...First of all, how do you feel about Akane?" 
	The redhead winced as if struck.  "Akane?  I...I love her.  I wish
I knew what to do...I like girls, and always will, but...but I also want
to be one sometimes.  I know it sounds crazy, but..." 
	"Not necessarily.  Who you are and who you love don't necessarily
match, you know."  She finished the base, applied a hint of blush to the
cheeks, and started on the lips. 
	"Ranma...I have to know this.  Are you a girl or a guy?" 
	Ranma waited for Kasumi to finish with the lip liner, then spoke,
her lips pouty from the makeup.  "Honestly...I wish I knew..  I don't
exactly look like a guy anymore, do I?  But...still...I've never really
lived as a girl.  I wish I knew what it was like...Right now I'm a guy in
a dress, I guess." 
	"Ranma-chan, put your eyes like...this."  Kasumi exposed as much
of her eyelids as possible, to demonstrate for Ranma to do the same.  The
girl complied, allowing Kasumi to put shadow on them. 
	"Ranma...I've been thinking.  Right now you have these ideas about
what it would be like to be treated as a girl, but don't know what it's
really like, right?"  She carefully brushed Ranma's eyelids. 
	"Yeah...Are you saying you know a way that I could?  This had
better not be a permanent thing..." 
	The housewoman went to her jewelry box and picked out a pair of
gold clip-on earrings.  "No, it's not permanent, not unless you want it to
be.  However, you will have to act the part at all times while it's going
on." She put the earrings on the girl, and turned her to face the mirror.
"Not bad, huh?" 
	The teenager's eyes sparkled.  "Thanks, Kasumi...I...I look...I
look stunning."  She turned back to her friend, gave her a big hug, and
looked her in the eye.  "I really appreciate this.  Not just the clothing
and the make-up, but also for giving me a chance to talk about my
feelings. I...I don't really get much of a chance to do so, and it feels
as though a huge weight has been lifted."  Ranma smiled a bit, "Now...what
do I need to do?" 
	A sly, mischievous grin crept up on Kasumi's face.  "Well...." 

***

	Morning. 
	It was an unusually quiet one in the Tendo house as Genma had been
too tired and hung over to want to spar with Ranma.  The drinking
expedition had turned into a 'get rid of Happousai any way we can' night,
and the two aging martial artist had managed to ship the old hentai off to
another part of the country.  Luckily for them, the Master had been too
drunk to notice what they were doing to him. 
	This allowed Ranma to get up later than usual, fortunate as the
previous night had not been what he'd expected; he still wasn't used to
letting his true emotions show.  The breakfast call from Kasumi echoed in
his ears, calling him from his slumber, as well as bringing the plan
Kasumi and he had come up with to mind. With a strange anticipation, he
dressed in his usual Chinese outfit, and headed down to the table. 
	As expected, the family was there, all...looking at...the dinner
table.  Breakfast was there...but the consistency and look of it suggested
that the morning's chef was not Kasumi.  All of them, especially Akane,
waited expectantly for him, as fiance, to take the first bite.  He sat
down, forced the sludge into his mouth...and winced involuntarily. 
	"Ugh!  What'd you do this time, Akane?  Rob a toxic waste dump?" 
	The tomboy's eyes showed hurt - but only for a moment.  Red anger
flared as Akane brought out a frying pan.  "I...worked for an hour on that
breakfast, Ranma...and all you can do is insult it?  Die, you idiot!"  She
started swinging for her fiance with all the fury she could muster. 
	Ranma dodged the first couple of blows, purposefully leading her
out into the backyard...and the fish pond.  He waited until he was in just
the right position...then let her hit him, sending him flying into the
pond. 
	Now all she had to do was wait...and act. 

***

	Akane fumed to herself.  She knew she wasn't the best at cooking,
but she did think that Ranma could be a little more considerate.  After
all, she had tried her best.  Unfortunately, her best was only a little
better than eating live scorpions.  Of course, you had a better chance of
survival if you ate the scorpions. 
	Kasumi looked out into the yard.  Everything was going as planned
and she would be able to let Ranma be him...herself for a while.  It would
give the child a chance to really come to terms with herself, and who she
actually wanted to be.  "Akane, I think you better get Ranma.  She hasn't
come out of the pond as of yet." 
	The youngest Tendo turned to the water.  Realizing that Ranma
hadn't come up sprouting her usual cold-water comments, she ran to the
pond to investigate.  Looking down, Akane noticed that her fiance seemed
to be out cold, and that she would need some rescuing. As she grabbed her
arm and pulled the redhead out, Akane couldn't help saying, "He knocks
himself out and then expects me to rescue him. Typical." 
	It took all of Ranma's willpower not to react to that statement. 

***

	It was ten minutes later and Ranma slowly 'awoke' from her
enforced slumber by her angered fiancee.  Sitting up and holding her head
slightly, she said, "Why'd you do that?  Just because you can't cook as
well as I can wasn't any reason to hit me that hard.  If you'd practice
cooking as much as you do the Art, you'd be competent, you know!" 
	Akane just sat down, a little stunned.  That was not the reaction
she had been expecting out of Ranma.  There was nothing in the words
themselves, or the angry way she said it that was out of place, but Akane
couldn't help feeling that something was out of place.  Still, as long as
Ranma was feeling better, it was time to let him know who was in the
right.  "Well, what do you expect for insulting me like that!" 
	Ranma only reply was a 'Humph' as she went upstairs to change her
clothes.  As planned, she waited a few minutes before calling downstairs,
"Uh Kasumi?  Do you happen to know where some clean clothes are?" 
	Kasumi had been waiting for this and went upstairs, "Oh dear.  I'm
sure I cleaned at least a couple of suits for you.  Here, let me check." 
	Genma looked at Soun as they both started to consider ways to try
and get their children together.  This latest cooking episode was going to
be hard to get over, especially since Ranma was quite correct about the
taste of the food.  If anything, toxic waste would seem to be more edible
than the concoction that sat before the family. 
	How they were ever going to get the two recalcitrant teenagers to
admit their love for each other, much less marry, was going to be a huge
effort in and of itself. 
	Nabiki only looked on with amusement as her younger sister fumed
over another culinary disaster.  If her little sister hadn't learned by
now that she should stay out of the kitchen, then probably nothing would
teach her.  Nabiki sighed and shook her head.  Ranma was her future
brother-in-law, and she shouldn't really be laughing about this.  In fact,
the young man should be commended for even attempting to try it to appease
Akane.  Heavens knew how Ranma stayed out of a hospital ward. 
	As for Akane, the aforementioned cook, she was sitting and waiting
for Ranma so that they could head to school together.  Although she always
said that she hated the 'hentai', the truth was that she loved him, even
with the curse.  It was pride that was keeping them apart;  the curse and
all of its possible consequences she could live with.  Hearing a sound,
Akane turned and looked for her 'idiot fiancee', and then gasped at what
she saw. 
	The sound caused everyone else to turn to the hallway where they
noticed that Ranma and Kasumi had come back out. 
	Ranma was wearing a Furinkan high school uniform, the same one she
had worn on other occasions, and had applied a little bit of make-up to
her face.  Her hair, which had always been put up in a pig-tail, even
after the fact that it no longer needed to be bound by the dragon hair,
was in a neat, prim, and pretty hairstyle.  It was somewhat unnerving to
the family. 
	Akane's reaction was predictable.  "What do you think you're
doing?" 
	Ranma frowned, a little bit pouty, "I though it was time I had a
new hairstyle.  This is a lot better than the pig-tail I was wearing." 
	There it was, that statement combined with what Ranma was doing
rang alarm bells inside Akane's head.  Something was definitely wrong. 
"No, I mean why are you wearing a dress?  You're a boy!" 
	At that Ranma looked at her fiancee as though she had no idea what
the black haired girl was talking about.  "Akane, you know as well as I do
that my boy form is a curse.  I'm just lucky that it's only activated by
hot water." 
	Except for Kasumi, who had obviously helped Ranma, the rest of the
family stared at her in shock. 

***

Hello. 

	This was initially released to RAAC under the title "Clothes Make
The Woman" roughly a week or two ago, back when I was the only author on
the case.  Hitomi approached me about continuing it, and things went from
there.  So far, four chapters have been written up, and it shows no signs
of stopping. 

	Thanks... 

	To Rumiko Takahashi, for the obvious. 

	To the Fanfic ML and to all those who have sent in their comments. 

	To Ichinohei Hitomi, my co-author in this endeavor. 

	Hitomi's page is located at http://204.112.189.3/~hitomi . You
should stop by...she's got some nifty works there. 

Nicholas Leifker 
nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu 
http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~nwl9354
January 30, 1997

***

(nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu)
(hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca)

Clothes Make The...

Chapter Two:

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kunou Tatewaki, Kunou Kodachi, Tofu OnoSensei, and Hinako Ninomiya
Sensei are copyright 1987, 1997 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:	Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:	Viz Inc.

By Nicholas Leifker and Ichinohei Hitomi

	Before Akane could react, Kasumi said, "Ranma-chan, why don't you
go on ahead to school today.  I'll give Akane your bento to take with her,
especially since she and I still have to clean up from breakfast." 
	The red head looked up at Kasumi, her eyes bright.  "OK, Oneechan. 
I'll help with supper tonight if that's all right?" 
	Kasumi smiled serenely, "That would be fine Ranma-chan.  Now get
going, you don't want to be late for school do you?" 
	Ranma shook her head as she walk towards the door. "Uh-huh.  Not
today.  Anyway, I still have to get past Kunou without knocking him out. 
See you later everyone!" 
	Nabiki was watching this with some awe and some trepidation.  The
awe came from seeing how Kasumi, her unassuming older sister, had handled
a situation that could have had grave consequences, especially if either
father or Akane had reacted in their usual
'hit-first-and-ask-questions-a-lot-later' mode.  It always surprised her
whenever Kasumi did that, especially since it was so unexpected.  The
trepidation came from realizing that Akane was not going to take this well
at all, and that Ranma's other fiancees, namely Ukyou and Shampoo would
also act in a manner similar to her little sister. 
	Before anyone had a chance to say anything however, Kasumi held up
a hand. 
	"Please listen," she began, those two words having more of an
effect on the people gathered in this room than the words of the Emperor
himself.  "Ranma has suffered a little bit of a head trauma, and the worst
thing to do would be to forcibly make her remember things differently." 
	Akane broke in, "How about I just hit him on the head?" 
	Kasumi frowned a little, and that was more than enough to make
Akane quiet down.  "I'm afraid that it isn't that simple.  You see, the
number of head injuries that Ranma has sustained over the past few months
make doing such a thing very risky.  Right now, she has a slight
personality dislocation, one that is enhanced because of the Jusenkyo
curse that she is under.  To try to hit her on the head would probably
give her amnesia." 
	Nabiki frowned.  "So she can't remember a few things for a while. 
That's not so dangerous." 
	The eldest of the Tendo girls shook her head in the negative. 
"I'm not talking about what is commonly called 'temporary amnesia',
Nabiki.  I'm talking about the actual condition.  If that happens, the
person we know as Ranma would disappear entirely, and the shell that is
left will not recognize us from minute to minute.  She wouldn't even
remember if she ate, slept, or what year it is.  The real point is the
fact is that amnesia is permanent, non-recoverable brain damage.  What's
happened right now is recoverable, but only given time and effort at being
kind." 
	She then looked at Akane.  "I want you to protect her as much as
possible, keep her from getting hit on the head or in fights, and do not
act surprised at some of the things she does.  I want you to make sure
that she isn't acting too overly feminine either, but just as any other
girl.  Can you do that for me?" 
	Akane wanted to do something else at the moment, but kept those
thoughts to herself.  "Of course, Oneechan.  I'll do my best." 
	Kasumi turned to the fathers next.  "I want the two of you to stop
trying to push Ranma and Akane together for a while.  If you do so, we
risk losing the Ranma we know completely as it is possible two entirely
different ideas will be too much for her to take.  We don't know how
female she is now, so discretion is better on the subject of the
engagement." 
	Genma and Soun looked at one another, but couldn't really say a
word against it.  Kasumi was the closet thing that they had to a medic in
the house, and she did read a lot of Tofu-Sensei's books, papers, and
documents.  If she said it was dangerous, then it probably was.  Soun
glumly answered for the two of them.  "Agreed." 
	She then turned to her sister Nabiki.  "I want you to keep an eye
on her, and try to deflect her other fiancees for a while.  If necessary,
explain things to them in a way that they will understand.  Be careful
with Shampoo though, her Japanese isn't the best, and have Mousse or
Cologne translate for you if necessary." 
	Nabiki nodded, realizing how serious this was if Kasumi was acting
this way.  "I'll do my best, Oneechan." 

***

	Ranma in the meantime was enjoying herself, finally able to let
this side of her have free reign.  It was surprising, but she also
realized how lucky it had been for her that Kasumi was the one who had
caught her exploring her feelings.  If it had been her father, or anyone
else for that matter, there would have been things thrown around. Probably
herself after being called a hentai by Akane. 
	Ranma was just about to leap up onto the fence to walk to school
when she realized that she wouldn't be able to do that.  Giggling to
herself, Ranma then realized that Shampoo would miss her usual 'target'
since she would be looking for a boy or girl with a pig-tail walking on a
fence to knock down instead of a rather cute looking girl in a school
uniform walking down the street.  *Goddess above, I didn't realize how
much of an advantage that this could be.  Too bad it won't last too long,
I best enjoy this while I can.*
	She smiled happily to herself, glad that at least one person in
her family was able to accept her for who she was, and who she might be.
That was the only way for her to understand what Kasumi had said the night
before about this not being permanent unless she wanted it too be. 
Shaking her head, Ranma decided that she'd worry about it later,
especially since she was still so excited at actually being able to look
pretty. 
	That was when she heard a familiar sound, of a bicycle being
ridden at almost inhuman speeds with an uncanny amount of skill.  Ranma
looked up to see Shampoo riding fast, looking out in front of her as she
tried to spot her 'Airen', not even noticing her as she zipped past.  The
new hairdo that Kasumi had suggested last night and had spent sometime
going over was certainly a bit of a success.  It was hard to believe that
such a simple change could make people overlook who she was.  Ranma
shouldn't have been so surprised however, as she had made a similar
mistake when Akane's hair had been cut so long ago. 
	That was when she spotted the schools gates and started to walk
quickly towards them.  While Ranma was used to running the last little bit
to school, especially since she usually had to take care of one Kunou or
another, this time she wanted to savour the experience.  Besides, from
what she saw in school, most girls didn't go barging around and through
everything in their way, depending more on brains to take care of
situations.  The exceptions to this were the girls she knew, or who wanted
to know her. 
	Ukyou, Shampoo, Akane, and Kodachi weren't the most normal of
girls, especially in Japanese society. 
	As Ranma walked into the gate, Tatewaki failed to notice her.  In
fact, it seemed that no-one looked at her, which was a disappointment to
the teenage girl.  From what everyone had told her, she expected at least
the other girls in school to notice who she was, especially since Ranma
was the only red headed female in the school.  It would have been nice to
make a few friends who weren't romantic interests, extortionists, or
enemies. 
	Shrugging her shoulders, she continued on into the school and to
her classroom. 

***

	Ukyou smiled as she entered the school building.  So far, her
morning had gone fairly well, with no major problems and Shampoo being
angry and not having run into Ranma.  She was surprised to note that Kunou
was still standing, something that wouldn't have happened if Akane or
Ranma had arrived.  It was amazing that he hadn't missed more classes than
he did, given the almost constant damage Kuno suffered in his pursuit of
'the pig-tailed girl' and Akane. 
	Chuckling to herself, she went into her assigned room, noting that
most of the others in class had already arrived as well.  As Ukyou put her
briefcase on her desk, she noticed the new girl standing near the window. 
She couldn't see her face, but that red hair was almost the same colour as
Ranma's when he was splashed with water.  Not that he would ever stay that
way longer than absolutely necessary.  She did seem cute however, and she
didn't seem to know anyone there.  Probably a new student to the school. 
	Grinning, Ukyou went over to the girl, knowing that she would
probably be taken for a very handsome young man.  She had that effect on a
lot of girls, and some boys, and they had a good reason for thinking that
at times.  Given that she usually dressed in a boys school uniform, and
was very adept at passing herself off as a young man, even to the point of
using slight body movements unconsciously, most girls did attempt to make
themselves noticeable to her at least once.  Even after her secret was
revealed, some of the girls still did it, hoping to get a slight ego
boost. 
	Appraising the girl quickly, she went up to her and said, "So, are
you new to the area as well as the school?" 
	The red head turned around and smiled, causing Ukyou to stop
breathing.  "No, silly!  Anyways how do you like the new hairdo?  I asked
Kasumi to style it this way this morning.  Isn't it nice?" 
	The okonomiyaki chef sputtered, desperately trying to come to
terms with this shock.  "R..Ranchan?  What the...why....how did...." 
	Ranma frowned, and put a hand to her scarlet locks.  "What...you
don't like it?"  she pouted. 
	Used to the 'kawaii' act from some girls, Ukyou raised her hands
in denial.  "No...it isn't that...it's just...it's so feminine....so
unlike you...." 
	The new woman raised an eyebrow.  "Sorry if I want to look like a
girl, unlike _some_ people I could name..." She giggled slightly, to let
her know she wasn't completely serious.  "Sorry, Ucchan.  It's just I was
so proud of this look, and to have you insult it..." 
	Ukyou smiled nervously.  At least that part of her Ranchan hadn't
changed - even if it appeared everything else had.  "Sorry about that. 
So...why did you get-" 
	"Hello, everyone!"  The cheery, childlike voice of Ninomiya Hinako
pierced through the classroom, bringing the students to attention. Akane
ran in a split second later, narrowly avoiding another tardy mark - and
another session with the water buckets.  The child-woman walked to her
desk, and swiftly went through the roll. 
	"Saotome?" 
	"Here!" Ranma said cheerily, raising her hand. 
	Whispers spread around the room, the surprise unmistakable in the
faces of the students.  Hinako-sensei raised her hand for silence, and
eyed the redhead critically.  "Saotome-kun?" 
	"Yes?" 
	"Is there any reason for your profound change in attire?  I am
well aware of your curse, but this is a remarkable change from your usual
uniform." 
	"Yes, I know."  Ranma looked ashamed for a moment.  "I'm sorry for
the clothes I wore when I was first here." 
	"Uh...Hinako-sensei?"  Akane raised her hand timidly for attention
before Hinako-sensei could comment. 
	"Yes, Tendo-kun?" 
	Akane stammered, unsure of how to describe the morning's events. 
"Ranma... I...There is an explanation for Ranma's change.  If you like,
may I give it to you in private after class?" 
	The dark-haired child pondered the offer for a moment, then
nodded.  "That will be acceptable."  She then turned back to the roll. 
	Morning class was a strange one for Ukyou Kuonji.  She found
Hinako's English lessons to pale in interest to the "new student" who sat
two desks down.  Ukyou stared at the young woman joyfully writing away,
trying to find some hint of *him*, of the man she had fallen in love with,
her heart failing her at the lack of success.  Dark thoughts, speculations
flew through her mind unbidden, fears from her worst nightmares coming to
haunt her waking moments.  Why...why was her Ranchan, the strong man she
had come to know and love, eschewing all of that, all he was...to live as
a girl? 
	Akane.  She had to know; the two lived together in the same house,
and, from what she had told Hinako-sensei, had some sort of explanation
why.  Mind racing, she brought out a piece of paper and began to write. 

Akane -
	What happened?  Why is Ranchan acting like a girl? 
			Ukyou. 

	She purposefully folded the paper, wrote Akane's name on the note,
and sent it down to her.  Ukyou desperately tried to attune her mind to
Hinako's lesson;  unfortunately, life was intruding.  A moment later, a
piece of paper landed on her desk.  Anxious for some news, she unfolded
the note, and spread it flat across her desk. 
	What Ukyou saw was enough to make her ill.  The note wasn't from
Akane...but from Ranma.  Cute little hearts and "suki" kanji dotted the
paper, and the neat handwriting looked far more careful than her fiancee's
messy scrawl.  The message itself was almost enough to drive her to tears. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ucchan -
	HI!  Just to let you know, I'm not angry about the hair comment.
Considering I've never really had it styled before, it probably caught you
off-guard.  So...do you like it?  Kasumi did a wonderful job on it this
morning, and helped me with my makeup and everything!  Sorry if I got
tired of looking like a tomboy, but I felt that a change was necessary. 
Besides, look at the attention it's getting me.  The others can't keep
their eyes off of me!  Anyway, can't wait until we can talk at lunch. See
ya there! ^_^
			Ranchan

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

	Ukyou put her face in her hands, not wanting the others to see the
tears threatening.  Ranchan, HER Ranchan, was gone...disappeared behind
this woman's face.  She hadn't felt this dark, this hopeless...since a
six-year-old boy walked out of her life.  The boy next to her had to nudge
her to get her to accept the next note. 
	This one was the one she had been wanting, the one explaining this
madness.  Akane's handwriting was a lot messier than usual, almost
rendering the characters unreadable.  It was clear she was under some
stress in writing it, as there were a number of eraser marks on the sheet,
and most of the sentences were clipped and short. 

Ukyou -
	I'm sorry.  Deity, it's all my fault.  I wish it wasn't but it is.
If I could take it all back I would.  All we can do now is wait and hope. 
	This morning, Ranma insulted my cooking.  I hit him into the pond. 
When she got out, she started acting like a girl.  Kasumi looked at her,
and figured out.  I hit her too much.  The last one jarred her brain.  She
has "personality dislocation" brought on by repeated head blows.  Her
Jusenkyo curse did the rest.  Kasumi said that he may come back in time,
but that's all we can do, save make sure she doesn't get hit again.  For
now, Kasumi wants me to watch over her and make sure she doesn't act too
feminine. 
	I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry... 
			Akane. 

	Ukyou turned to look over at her short-haired rival.  Akane just
stared back at her, her face a mask of dark, swirling emotions.  The brown
eyes held the look of one shell-shocked, a blank stare that told of some
recent tragedy.  All she did upon looking at Ukyou's questioning gaze was
nod. 
	The note Akane had written, along with the hopelessness in her
eyes, drove any anger from Ukyou's mind.  There was no question about it: 
Akane was suffering greatly from this.  She had inflicted a terrible blow
on one she loved, perhaps killing...no, worse than killing him.  The body
was alive and functioning quite well, but the mind inside...the soul...was
twisted, changed at her hands into a form that both Akane and Ranchan
would have abhorred.  In that sense, it would have been better if Ranma
had been killed by Akane's blow, rather than live like this. 
	The chef turned back to the two notes, and looked morosely at
them.  So different...so opposite.  One held joy, happiness at life and
the world in general.  The other spoke of death, of a darkness
unbreachable.  In her mind, there was no contest which one had to be
answered first. 

Akane -
	Right now I should be furious at you.  Unfortunately, I can't be. 
You are sorry for what you did, and there was no way you could have known
what would happen.  I will abide by Kasumi's wisdom, and will help you in
taking care of Ranchan.  Sorry, sugar, but in this case I insist. 
	For now, I propose a truce.  Nobody goes after Ranchan in any way,
shape, or form.  Moreover, if Shampoo or Kodachi come calling (and they
will), we defend her from their advances and/or attacks.  This also
applies to any guys who may come calling, as "she" may do something that
"he" may regret later.  Deal? 
			Ukyou. 

	She sent off the note, then turned to see Akane's response to it. 
The tomboy opened it without smiling, read the note...then nodded back. 
	Ukyou smiled.  One crisis was taken care of; Akane would have help
enough to get through this.  She only hoped there'd be help for
her...Ukyou turned her eyes to the second note, and debated how to answer
it.  Ranchan would be expecting some sort of answer from her...but the
note was filled with so much fluff.  What could she answer from it? 
Determined to write something, she bit her lip, straining her brain for
the response. 

Ranchan -
	Yes, I do like your new hairstyle.  It is most certainly a change
for you, and it was one that I wasn't expecting.  I imagine you have a lot
to talk about at lunch, and I look forward to what you have to say. 
			Ucchan

	As she watched the young girl read the note, Ukyou swore she saw a
private, secretive smile cross her features, an instant before it
broadened to a full, cute-girl grin.  She had a feeling that lunch was
going to be quite interesting... 

***

Ichinohei Hitomi 
hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca
http://204.112.189.3/~hitomi

Nicholas Leifker
nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu
http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~nwl9354

January 30, 1997

***

Clothes Make The... 

Chapter Three: 

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kunou Tatewaki, Kunou Kodachi, Tofu Ono Sensei, and Hinako
Ninomiya Sensei are copyright 1987, 1997 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:	Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:	Viz Inc.

By Nicholas Leifker and Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ranma smiled broadly as the class broke up for lunch, little bits
and pieces of "her" life flying through the young woman's mind.  She had
no regrets about her new existence so far; truth to tell, Ranma found some
of the attention she was getting...the lustful stares of the men, a few
envious looks from the women... thrilling.  It was as though the dress had
changed her into a new person - which, in a sense, it did.  She could go
places and do things forbidden to him, and relish in the sights and
textures offered her there.  Yes, it did have its disadvantages, such as
possible friction with Mom and different viewpoints from Ryouga and
Shampoo...but right now she didn't care.  Right now she was enjoying
herself too much.  On top of that, Akane and Ukyou, the two closest
friends she had, were taking it well for the most part. It took a bit of
time for her childhood friend to adjust (the look on her face as she read
the note was horrifying), but the strong, supportive friend quickly
exerted herself.  Akane was still blaming herself for what happened, and
was compensating for her guilt by watching over her like a little sister. 
Ranma liked that...she'd always wanted to be close to Akane, rather than
the fighting enemies they seemed to be all too often. 
	She rose from her desk slowly, pausing at the feel of soft fabrics
caressing her legs as she stood.  Ranma walked slowly over to her friends,
and sat down next to them.
	"Uh...Akane?"  The voice she used now was just how Kasumi had
taught her the night before: soft, unassuming, with just the slightest
lilt to it.
	The tomboy turned from her thoughts and stared at her changed
fiancee.  "Yes, Ranma?" 
	"Do you have my lunch?  Kasumi said you'd bring it."  She smiled,
the coup-de- grace on the act.
	Akane blinked, still not used to her fiancee's mannerisms.
"Uh...sure.  Here."  She handed her fiancee the bento box.  Ukyou came
forward from her seat, and sat down beside them.
	"So...Ranma.  Why the new look?"  Ukyou stared at her with a mild
degree of skepticism.
	Ranma shrugged.  "Well...I got tired of being a tomboy."  She
looked down at her feet, humbly ashamed.  "I wanted people to notice
me..." 
	Akane coughed.  "Ranma?  I know you've probably told us your life
story plenty of times, but please...for us, could you tell us once more?" 
	The new woman perked up.  She'd been expecting this..."Well, I was
born in Tokyo, the only daughter of Genma and Nodoka Saotome.  When I was
five, Pop, who wanted me to carry on Anything-Goes School of Martial Arts,
took me from my home to train.  Mom made him promise to not raise me to be
a tomboy, to make sure I learned how to act like a girl when I wasn't in
the middle of training or exercises.  After Jusenkyo, we nearly got killed
because of that."
	"When did you first meet me?" Ukyou piped, hoping that the
memories could bring her out of it.
	"Well...we were both six.  Pop had me steal from your father's
okonomiyaki cart everyday.  We became friends, and sparred together.  Of
course, the funny thing was, you thought I was a guy, and I thought you
were!  Our parents, thinking the same thing, engaged us to each other,
causing that whole mess with the yatai."  She reached a hand over to
Ukyou's.  "I am sorry about that." 
	Ukyou cried bittersweet tears, and tried to smile.  "It's okay,
Ranchan. It's okay..."
	Ranma looked sad at her friend's tears, then continued, her voice
softer than before.  "Anyway, most of the rest you know...the
cat-fist...Jusenkyo..."
	"Tell us about Jusenkyo," Akane interjected. 
	The girl's face darkened.  "I...Pop always wanted a boy and he
made no effort to conceal his desires.  One day, we went to this 'training
ground'.  Some training ground.  Pop found the spring he wanted, then
shoved me in." Tears formed in her blue eyes, the traumatic 'memory'
within her changed in her mind's eye.  "I felt...I felt myself
grow...warp...I rose from the water, and found..." 
	"It's okay, Ranma."  Akane reached across the table, and gave
Ranma a comforting hug.  "I'm sorry I brought it up.  It's just
that...this change is so sudden."
	"Yeah.  It took me awhile for me to even be able to wear a dress
without wincing.  I'll never be able to get over some things, though." 
	"Some things?"  The pair looked at her curiously. 
	Ranma turned beet red from mock embarrassment.  "Didn't you know?
I...I like girls." 
	The two facefaulted.  The broad smile on Ranma's face was genuine,
such was her humor.
	"Don't worry, though.  I understand you two aren't interested in
me, so it's no big deal." 
	Akane and Ukyou looked at each other with a look of absolute
incredulity.  After a moment of trying to hold in their hilarity, the two
started giggling.  Ranma looked at them, blue eyes full of innocence. 
	"Uh...am I missing something?" 
	"Oh, nothing..."  The two smiled at each other secretively.  Ranma
looked wide- eyed at the pair.
	"What...you two DO like girls?  It would explain your clothing,
Ucchan..."
	"Er...we're undecided yet," Akane said diplomatically.  She
coughed once, and figured the truth was best, albeit in a skewed way.
"We...like both...sorta." 
	"Ah," Ranma whispered, desperately wishing she had a tape
recorder...or a Nabiki.  The group then turned their attention back to the
meal.
	Suddenly Ranma sat up, startled.  Her ears twitched slightly, and
she looked to the much-maligned outside wall.
	"Down!"  She ducked behind one of the desks, just before the wall
in question blew to pieces. 
	"NIHAO!"  Shampoo burst (literally) into the room, ramen in hand.
She looked around the room for her airen, initially finding no success.
"Airen?  Where airen?"  She gestured violently to the pair of fiancees at
a table.  "You.  Spatula Girl and Not- nice Girl.  Where Ranma?" 
	"I'm right here, Shampoo." 
	The entire room looked to the flaming redhead standing next to the
girls.  Ranma stood there in her school outfit, her eyes cold from anger,
slender fists clenched.  Her soft soprano dripped with fury. "Shampoo.  I
am sick and tired of your constant efforts to kill everyone around me.  I
am well aware of your feelings toward me, but you will never harm them
again.  Got that?" 
	Shampoo blinked.  Her airen...in girl form...in a
dress...willingly?  In her mind, there was only one explanation.  She put
the ramen down, and readied herself for combat. 
	"What pervert girls do to Ranma?  Why he girl?" 
	The growl from Ranma's throat sent her bristling with fear.  "I
am, and have always been, a girl.  While I am ashamed of my past efforts
to deceive you, I have told you the truth on a number of occasions.  Now
leave, before I get _really_ angry."
	Shampoo nodded sadly.  "I see.  Pervert girls use shampoo, make
you forget you boy, want girl for girl things.  No worry, Ranma.  Make
better, once kill them and use 119."  She leapt for the girls with the
savagery of a mountain cat.
	"NOOO!"  The howl of rage was like one they hadn't ever seen from
Ranma.  She leapt in front of Shampoo, and deflected her attack with ease. 
A moment later, the Amazon found herself at the receiving end of a
viciously fast Amaguriken, not quite as powerful but far more difficult to
block.  She flew back to the near wall, unconscious.  Ranma approached her
still form, and carried her to the table.  She then looked to her friends,
concern etched on her features.
	"Uh...Akane?  Could you take care of Shampoo?"  The girl looked
rather sheepish. 
	"Take care?" 
	Ranma pantomimed pouring water over her head.  "Cold water. 
Sorry, but her cursed form scares the heck out of me." 
	Akane smiled and went to get some water, while Ranma went to
examine the now-demolished wall.  Ukyou approached her friend carefully. 
	"Ranma?  Are you okay?"  She noticed the tears falling down her
face, smudging her makeup.
	"She can't keep on doing that," she muttered.  "She just can't. 
I'm afraid, Ucchan...afraid of what I might do to her.  I know about her
Amazon honor and all, but it's going to get her killed."
	Ukyou looked with worry at her friend.  The Ranma she remembered
would have hesitated to confront Shampoo directly, and would have pulled
his punches.  This girl did neither, and would probably have killed if the
battle continued.  True, she still held concern over a vanquished foe,
just like her Ranchan...but with her and Shampoo, it seemed the stakes
were higher...dangerously higher.  This was something that bore closer
scrutiny, before something happened they all would regret. 

***

	Ranma walked out in the open air, reveling in the feel of the wind
against her bare legs.  The plan was working almost too well: Her family
was hooked thanks to Kasumi, and Ukyou was hooked thanks to Akane.  She'd
have to do a bit more convincing job with Shampoo; however, chances are
one visit and one application of Formula 119 would convince them.  Also,
the fight between them was classic: by speeding up the Amaguriken, the
punches were softer than maximum, but faster overall, giving the
appearance of going all-out.  That - hitting a girl without holding back -
was something Ranma would never have done...before now.  She giggled
slightly at the ingenuity of the deception, then smiled at the sound.
	There once was a time that such a giggle would have her worried,
back when she actually cared about being 100% guy.  Now, though...she was
having too much fun.  This girl stuff - dressing up and looking pretty,
smiling and laughing all the time - it was almost like a costume party to
her.  Ranma could be someone else, live out a different person's life, all
without the recriminations of being branded a pervert.  She wondered how
long it would last before she went back...a week?  A month? 
	Forever? 
	The old guards around her mind chose that moment to fight, to urge
her to give up this charade and be a man again.  Memories flooded her, of
each fight she'd had to keep what was left of him, to not give in to what
she was now doing.  It took a moment (and a pleasant look downward) to
come back to herself, and continue on her way.  Ranma skipped away
lightly, reveling in the freedom, until she arrived at her destination -
and stopped.
	The room in front of her was forbidden ground, a place no man had
gone before - at least, not without an animal form or a horde of angry
women chasing after.  She steeled herself for the sights to come, and
purposefully opened the door.
	Her eyes widened - but only for a moment.  Dozens of women sat on
benches in various levels of undress, each of them stopped what they were
doing - and turned to her, staring at the newcomer.  After a second's
hesitation, she walked over to a private corner of the locker room, unable
to shake off the feel of twenty eyes boring down on her.  Ranma nervously
undressed, as though still in her guy-form, and put on the tight-fitting
gym outfit.
	"Hey, Ranchan."  Ukyou, another semi-outcast in the locker room,
sat down to join her friend.  "What's up?" 
	Ranma looked at the chef, and frowned.  "Why are all these girls
staring at me?  It's like they think I'm a boy or something."
	"Er...well..." Ukyou tried to come up with something to say. "It's
because of your curse.  It kinda freaks them out, you know?" 
	Ranma nodded, knowing the feelings all too well.  "Yeah, I
know...still, I am a girl, or at least I wanna be.  I never asked to be a
boy, you know." 
	"I know..." Ukyou stopped her preparations for a moment, and
thought about Ranma's words.  Something about them seemed odd to her, even
for this "new" Ranma.  It was almost as if...no.  Her Ranchan would never
do that...She had to know.
	"Ranma," Ukyou said, turning towards the shorter girl and grabbing
her by both arms so that she couldn't escape, "What did you mean by what
you just said?"
	Ranma, in the meantime, had looked up at Ukyou with some
anticipation, expecting the question to come.  That anticipation turned to
a somewhat muted disappointment, a schooled response to the situation. 
"What do you mean Ucchan?"
	Ukyou couldn't help but notice the quick changes in expression, a
sudden doubt running through her mind at what just happened.  Still, it
didn't hurt to find out, "You just said that you want to be a girl and
that you didn't ask to be a boy."
	Ranma turned her head down for a second, and then mumbled in a
barely audible voice.  "You know how my dad raised me, and how much he
wanted a boy.  For a time, I actually forgot that I was a girl, until
puberty that is.  By then dad had me dying my hair and bandaging my chest,
even enrolling me in an all boys school."
	She shrugged out of Ukyou's loosened grasp and turned away,
clutching her arms.  "Do you know what it's like to think that you're a
boy for a while?  To act and be one to everybody around you and never be
yourself?  I was caught up in my dad's lie for so long.  Too damn long." 
	She suddenly hit the locker in front of her, causing all the other
girls who had gone back to what they were doing to pause.  Everyone
strained their ears to the words that the redhead was saying, each word
causing them to reconsider their original thoughts about her.  "Dad really
wanted a boy, and by pushing me into that hot water spring, he got one. 
I've had to pretend that I was a boy for so long, I've actually forgotten
what it was like to be me.  To be a girl.  I finally had it this morning,
and decided my mom was right.  I am a girl, I am fairly pretty, and that I
should stop being such a tomboy."
	Ranma turned back to the taller girl, tears in her eyes, and
suddenly grabbed hold of her sobbing, "I didn't like pretending, and I
still don't.  I never wanted this damn curse, and I never wanted the
complications that go with it."
	Ukyou stood there in shock for a moment, and then put her arms
around her sobbing friend, stroking her head.  She _had_ forgotten what it
was like to be considered a boy, and the strain that it had put on her. 
Since coming to Furinkan, the problem was alleviated somewhat, but she was
used to the stares and whispers that surrounded her, surrounded all of
them really.  For the girl in front of her, who wanted to be "herself"
again, it was probably a lot worse.  *I'm sorry, Ranchan.  I forgot how
much pain living that sort of life could cause.*
	The other girls looked away, somewhat ashamed of themselves for
the thoughts that they had been thinking about Ranma.  It was obvious that
she was not the boy she used to be and thus not a hentai, a male trying to
use a curse to get a look at them.  She was now just a girl who seemed to
have been forced towards becoming something that she didn't want to be. 
Most of the women made a silent promise to themselves to treat Ranma as a
girl from now on. 

***

	Gymnastics had turned out to be a very pleasant surprise,
especially since after her slight 'emotional breakdown' in the locker
room, all the girls treated her as though she had always been a girl.  For
the first time in a long time, Ranma actually felt like she belonged.  She
was starting to make real friends in school without all of the usual
worries that making friends would cause.  They were actually talking _to_
her rather than about her.  A big improvement, in the redhead's opinion. 
	The locker room was also a big improvement as well. 
	When she had changed with the other boys in the school, Ranma
always had to be cautious, especially when taking a shower after class. 
There had been numerous attempts to splash her with cold water on many
occasions, sometimes succeeding.  There were a lot of males who thought
that her having a female form would be great.  At least from their point
of view.  Ranma had never really liked change rooms because of that.
	Everything was definitely looking up in a lot of unexpected little
ways as well.  The men were actually treating her with a respect that they
hadn't while she was a boy.  Instead of the silly and embarrassing
questions and assumptions about her sex life, they actually asked
questions about what she was like, and what she liked.  Before this change
the conversations Ranma had involved what sort of ability he had to get
girls to like him, or when his next fight would be.
	To be treated as someone normal was a pleasant change for the
former boy.
	As she left school with Akane, Ranma smiled at her friend.  It was
necessary to convince her that the blow to the head was the cause of her
change, but there had to be some way to get Akane out of the funk that she
was feeling because of it.  "Say Akane...Why don't we go shopping tonight
with Ucchan?  Mom should be back home by now, and you know how she likes
to take us to the malls.  Besides, with Konatsu- chan there, her
restaurant should do OK." 
	Akane turned and smiled a little.  While she was sorry about what
she had done to her fiancee, to the man she loved, she was also somewhat
glad to see the red head having so much fun.  In all the time Akane had
known Ranma, the redhead had always been serious, fun not really being
part of the equation.  "OK.  Let's wait for her and then go home together. 
Besides, there's a sale on, and we could pick up a couple of new blouses." 
	Unfortunately for the two of them, Kunou was standing at the gate,
looking for his two favourite people in the school.  He didn't know why,
but he had somehow missed both of them when they came into the school this
morning, his usual challenge going unmatched.  It was a change in his
routine that he did not like very much, and he was wondering what was
going on.  When he saw Akane standing in front of the door, he also saw
his 'pig-tailed girl' wearing a school uniform and sporting a new hair-do. 
*Oh, my lovely pig-tailed vision.  Although you have changed those
glorious scarlet locks, I know you did it for me.*
	He ran towards them, shouting, "Akane!  Pig-tailed girl!  I resign
myself to your loveliness, and I will date you!"
	Ranma spun, actually surprised for once.  She hadn't expected to
see Kunou for a while, and that he recognized her now was not good. 
Letting her anger show, Ranma was about to go after him and knock him out
when she noticed that Akane had reacted first.
	Remembering her promise to Kasumi, Akane had reacted instantly to
Kunou's attempt to get near them.  She darted forward, grabbed one of the
kendo practitioners' outstretched arms, and tossed him to the ground where
she proceeded to hit him in several vital areas.  Finally finished, and
sure that he would be down long enough not to do anything, she ran her
hands through her hair.  "Leave us alone Kunou.  Ranma and I want nothing
to do with you."
	Kunou started to get back up, "I know that you would marry that
excuse for a man, but I will not allow it.  Where is that cur Saotome?" 
	Ranma had walked up by this time, "I'm here Kunou-sempai, and I'll
tell you myself.  I, Ranma Saotome, do hereby declare that I am not, and
have never been, interested in you.  I am a lesbian you idiot, and if you
haven't figured it out by now, you never will!"
	Kunou's mind shut down for a moment, trying to understand what was
being said.  He knew that the girl before him, his scarlet haired beauty,
shared the same name as his hated enemy, but for her to declare that she
did not like him, but those of the same sex as her?  Ridiculous!  "Oh my
beauty, what horrors has that immoral, dishonourable Saotome done to you
that you would spur me and all men?  I will avenge myself against him for
you!"
	Ranma looked at the idiot before her, incredulous.  No matter what
had happened, no matter how many times he observed or saw, he never got
it.  It was useful at times, but it was time to put this at an end,
"Kunou, you idiot!  I am the male Ranma Saotome as well!  It's my cursed
form!  I LIKE GIRLS AND I AM SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR IDIOCY!"
	She then punted him into the sky... 

***

	Shampoo watched this from her perch on a tree just outside the
school.  She still couldn't believe that her airen was acting like a girl. 
Despite what had happened in the classroom, she was convinced that Ranma's
brain had been affected by a shampoo or a spice of some type.  Seeing the
violent girl and the spatula-wielding one acting so friendly was also
annoying.  Perhaps her great grandmother could help.  *Don't worry, Ranma. 
I will find a way to rescue you from these two violent girls who _think_
that they have a claim on you.  I will change you back to the man you
were!*

***

Clothes Make The... 

Chapter Four: 

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kunou Tatewaki, Kunou Kodachi, Tofu Ono Sensei, and Hinako
Ninomiya Sensei are copyright 1987, 1997 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Sogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:	Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:	Viz Inc.

By Nicholas Leifker and Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ukyou came out of the school, looking at the fuming Ranma and the
frustrated Akane.  Something was obviously wrong... Ranma seemed to be
sulking, her arms crossed in front of her.  "What happened?  Why are you
two in a bad mood?" 
	Akane answered as Ranma continued to mumble to herself.  "That
idiot Kunou came on to us again, and he also said he couldn't believe
Ranma when she told him she was a lesbian.  She told him straight out that
both of her forms were her, and then punted him away.  I should have been
faster." 
	Ranma had finally finished cursing under her breath and calmed
herself down.  "It's OK now.  Although he is crazy.  I do happen to have a
question about what he said however." 
	Akane looked at her, "What's bothering you about that?  He was
just spouting off his usual nonsense." 
	The redhead turned to look at Akane, a curious and interested look
on her face.  "He said that you wanted to marry me.  Is that true Akane? 
Do you really like me that much?" 
	Ukyou's eyebrows shot up. *Oh great!  We forgot about Kunou and
his big mouth, not that it could really be kept a secret from her for
long.  Masaka!  How are we going to get out of this one?*
	Akane looked distinctly uncomfortable as she answered, "Well, it
started back when your father told mine that a boy was coming here to get
engaged to either Nabiki, Kasumi, or me.  The family sort of agreed we'd
be engaged since I already told everyone that I didn't like boys." 
	Ranma shook her head, "I remember that Akane.  You were angry when
you found out about my male form.  We only became friends after I managed
to explain everything to you.  Tell me what he's talking about now,
however." 
	Ukyou came to Akane's rescue, although not in the way the short
black haired girl would have expected.  "Well, remember how we told you in
class we were undecided?" 
	Ranma looked over at Ukyou.  "Yeah?" 
	Ukyou continued, "Well, the reason we're undecided is that we both
like you sort of, but we're unsure about your feelings.  After all, none
of us have ever dated one another, and you do happen to have a male form." 
She laughed nervously, "Perhaps Akane and I should ask you to go on dates
with the two of us on alternating nights or weekends, just to see how it
is." 
	Ranma's eyes opened wide, excitement clearly showing on her face,
"You mean it?  The two of you will take me out on dates?" 
	To the absolute horror of the two girls, Ranma shouted "Yatta!"
and proceeded to give each of them a quick, exultant kiss.  The freed girl
ran down the street, giggling with delight. 

***

	Kunou was sitting in a tree, not too far away from the school. 
While Ranma's kick had lacked none of it's usual force, she had not been
paying attention to where she had been aiming.  His brain, already
overloading from information, was shorting out as he observed his scarlet
haired beauty, as she kissed both Akane and the boy Ukyou happily.  He
started to mutter, "Her name is Ranma Saotome...She doesn't like
boys...She loves Akane..." 
	Since his mind couldn't accept there being anyone else in the
center of his two loves universe, he came to the obvious conclusion. 
Well, obvious for him really.  "Saotome, you sorcerer!  What have you done
to so corrupt these youthful beauties into believing these lies about
themselves and me, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School.  I shall
avenge myself and them and force you to remove your foul spell!" 
	Unnoticed by him was a small white cat with a purple mane and
wearing hair elastics.  Shampoo had heard what Ranma had shouted.  She
also observed the kisses and the manner in which Ranma had conducted
herself afterwards, except she had reached a different conclusion from the
kendoist.  *So, violent tomboy and spatula girl have enchanted Ranma in
some manner so that he only thinks of them have they?  I will find out
what spell they used, and then I shall rescue my airen.  There is no way I
am going to let those two twist Ranma so that he doesn't love me!" 
	As Kunou raved, the cat leapt down from the tree and went home to
find some hot water and another suit of clothes. 

***

	When Ranma arrived home, she was greeted with enthusiasm by her
mother.  "Welcome home, dear.  Why don't you go get washed up and then
we'll make supper?" 
	Ranma smiled as her mother fussed over her.  She hadn't admitted
it to herself then, but she really enjoyed how mom had made a big deal out
of things when she had been 'Ranko.' To be able to spend time with her
mother as herself (and enjoy it) was so much better than worrying about
ending up committing seppuku.  "Mom?  I was wondering if we could go
shopping after supper with Akane and Ucchan.  Would that be OK?" 
	Nodoka smiled, glad to see her child was happy even if she had
lost the memory of who she had been.  Her son was still there, somewhere
within this young girl, but there was also someone there that she had
missed spending time with.  Whenever she had visited the Tendo household,
she had always felt close to Ranko, the somewhat uncontrollable tomboy who
was always so happy to see her.  Always wondering where Ranma was, Ranko
had come to seem like her own daughter, especially after she started to
think of both of them together in her mind.  Little did she know at the
time that the red-headed girl was her own child. 
	To have her daughter back again was something she had hoped and
wished for, but could not say out loud, not wanting to cause trouble for
her child.  "That would be lovely, Ranma-chan.  But go take your bath now,
and I'll lay out some clothes for you to wear." 
	Ranma rushed up and hugged her mother, very happy with how things
were going, and then went off for her bath. 
	Akane looked up at her aunt, afraid of what she might see or hear
in the older woman's voice for what she had done to her son.  Of all of
them, Nodoka had the most to lose since she hadn't seen her child in so
long.  There were still uncomfortable silences between mother and son at
times, as they still had trouble getting a handle on their rather unique
relationship.  Despite how much she wanted to do so, there was no sense in
putting it off, however..."Are...are you all right, Auntie Saotome?"
	Nodoka smiled at the two of them.  "Yes Akane-chan.  What happened
this morning was karma, and not really anyone's fault."  Her smile
widened.  "You know, in a way I'm glad it happened.  It gives me some time
to spend with my daughter, and possibly a way to recover the closeness of
the relationship we lost when I discovered the truth." 
	She gestured at the table, "So how did things go at school today? 
Did my daughter meet any handsome young men?" 
	At that, Ukyou and Akane started to giggle, and then broke out
laughing as they started to explain everything that happened and what
Ranma said about who she liked. 

***

	Ranma smiled as she walked through the spacious mall, her heart
singing at the possibilities to come. Things had gone very well after her
bath, and her mother had shown her several makeup tricks to make herself
look better.  Her comments about Ranma finally becoming a young lady made
the redhead's heart leap for joy.  If there was one person that she wanted
help and approval from, especially with this 'forbidden' side of her
being, it was her mother. 
	She thought back to what was going on, and took a quick glance at
Akane and Ukyou, who were still staring at her in amazement. 
	After their baths, Akane had chosen a rather nice brown skirt and
white blouse combination while Ukyou had put back on her school uniform. 
It was Ranma's outfit that was the surprising part to them.  It also made
them a little sick at how sugary sweet it was. 
	Ranma and her mother, after some discussion, had brought out one
of her more feminine, wide-skirted dresses, a deep maroon outfit trimmed
in lace.  It was one of the nicer ones in Ranma's limited collection, but
extremely cute as well.  Her mother had helped in that image by giving her
some white stockings to wear with it, as well as a pair of black patent
flats.  The makeup they had applied had completed the transformation,
granting the young woman astounding beauty. 
	Ranma had eye shadow, blush, lipstick, and mascara on, and her
mother had also applied eyeliner and lip liner as well.  It was an amazing
effect, highlighting areas in such a way it made her school makeup pale in
comparison.  To say that she was now extremely feminine would be quite an
understatement. 
	The group strolled into one of the clothing stores, though all
eyes turned to the 'new woman' in the group.  Ranma looked around at the
store, her eyes glazed over as though she viewed heaven.  She took a deep
breath, allowing herself to calm down...but only a bit.  This had been
what she wanted, to live and be treated as a woman, and the representation
of things womanly was now spread out before her like a banquet.
	And, like anyone hungry, she went into the feast. 
	The two teenagers watching over the girl rolled their eyes, not
believing the spectacle before them.  Ranma bounced from rack to rack,
eyes dazzling at the sheer beauty of the garments before them.  She looked
at the collection of dresses, blouses, and other garments, eagerly picking
up several of them to see how they'd look on her, and trying on a few for
fit and look.  She was in heaven; for perhaps the first time in her life,
Ranma actually _felt_ like a woman, rather than a man or some person or
being in- between.  At that moment, she didn't give a damn about who she
was before, only who she was at the moment, and who she could be.  In a
strange way, it was terrifying, but exhilarating; she was losing himself,
but she didn't care.
	True to form, it couldn't last. 
   	Shampoo had managed to catch sight of them as they had boarded the bus
for the mall, becoming more concerned when Ranma's mother, who she knew
would hold him to the agreement of killing himself, was willingly going
along with how Ranma was acting.  For the matriarch of the Saotome family
to react in such a way told her that the two girls who were her
competition for Ranma, had gotten to the older woman as well.  The Amazon
waited until Ranma went back into one of the changing rooms, slipped in,
and attacked.
	Quickly shampooing Ranma's hair with Formula 119 and restyling
Ranma's pig-tail, she expected a rush of gratitude from her airen, as well
as disgust at what Ranma was wearing.  Much to the Amazon's surprise,
Ranma turned back to her, fire clear as sight in her eyes.
	Ranma had actually noticed Shampoo trailing along behind them
sometime earlier, and was expecting the attack.  Indeed, she had arranged
herself at this place for just such a purpose.  "Shampoo, can't you take a
hint?  I told you I don't like what you're doing, and I don't care if you
think I'm a man.  I am a woman, and despite liking other women I'm not
going to marry you!  Don't you dare try to brainwash me again!" 
	Turning to the full-length mirror, she put her hand to her hair.
The growl in her voice broadcast her frustrations, and let the warrior
know her offense.  "Do you know how long it took me to style my hair?  And
you ruined it in a few seconds with that shampoo of yours." 
	Turning back angrily, she said in a low, menacing voice that
brooked no contradictions, "If you ever try that again, it won't be me who
gets killed over your village honour...but you." 
	She then held Shampoo's chin and kissed her on the cheek. 
	Shampoo's eyes widened as she looked into the angry face and
recognized that kiss.  The same kiss that she had given Ranma so long ago
in her village.  The Kiss of Death.
	Shampoo sputtered, trying to come to grips with this new problem.
Whatever those two had done, they had made Ranma hate her so much...that
she was willing to kill.  This was clearly a problem she couldn't handle
alone.  The young Amazon needed the wisdom of other, wiser souls...She
cracked her knuckles, ready for the battle to come.  There was only one
way to handle this.
	"As wish, Ranma."  She readied herself in a fighting stance,
praying her bluff would work.  "If death you wish, death you get." 
	Much to Shampoo's surprise, Ranma charged in screaming, her
lightning-fast fists ready to deal damage.  She readied herself for the
block...
	Strong arms pinned her hands back, immobilizing her and keeping
her from defending herself.  At the same time, Akane rushed in, tackling
Ranma before anything else could happen.  Shampoo struggled against her
bonds, desperate to flay all of them alive, when a harsh, quiet whisper
echoed in her ears. 
	"Listen to me, Shampoo.  Ranma had a head injury this morning.  As
a result, he thinks he's a girl right now.  I dunno why, but he thinks
you're a mortal enemy, probably because of how outsider women are treated
by your tribe.  I know it hurts to see him this way...it hurts me too. 
But, right now, we don't have a choice.  Understand?"
	Trembling like a caged cat, her burning eyes locked on the prone
form of her airen, Shampoo nodded.
	"Now, I am going to release you.  Do you promise not to cause any
trouble?"
	Shampoo forced a smile.  She couldn't win here; not like this.
She'd be back, though..."Shampoo promise.  Shampoo leave for now." 
	The Amazon looked back to Ukyou, her captor.  "Spatula Girl...I
wonder.  If Shampoo be gentle-nice to girl-Ranma, can Shampoo visit?" 
	Ukyou's dark eyes burned her reply into her.  "That's up to Ranma.
Right now, she views you as an enemy; such an impression won't be easy to
overcome." 
	She nodded sadly, in an effort to make her own act convincing.  A
tear formed in her eyes.  "Understand.  Bie Liao, Spatula Girl."  Shampoo,
picked up her shampoo bottle, and walked to the exit.  Hibachan had to
hear of this...this was worse than bad.

***

	That night, the matriarch in question fumed over the day's events.
If what she'd heard was true (and she had no reason to doubt her
great-granddaughter), the quest to marry Ranma had taken a frightening -
and dangerous - turn.  Worse, if the stories of head trauma were to be
believed, Ranma was in far greater danger than any of them realized.  The
possibility of never recovering from it - that Ranma would forever think
of himself in that manner - was uncomfortably high.  She NEEDED to help
her son-in-law: the Amazon wisdom was far superior to the local medicine
in this respect, and she may be his only chance.  Unfortunately, her past
manipulations had not made her a welcome figure in the Tendo home.
	A knock at the door snapped her from her meditations.  A cloaked
figure strolled through the restaurant's entrance.  The dark eyes that
stared out from the cloak were soft, without malice...but searched the
surroundings instinctively, like a hunter.  With a gentle motion, the
figure reached a hand to the clasp, and let the garment fall to the floor.
	Cologne smiled.  An intellect almost worth dealing with...almost. 
She offered a hand in greeting.  "Hello, Tendo Nabiki.  What brings you to
our fine establishment?"
	The businesswoman locked eyes with her.  "I've come to ask you -
nicely - to stay away from Ranma, and to tell Shampoo to stop forcing
herself on her." 
	The crone decided to feign ignorance.  "And why should I do that?" 
	The tone of Nabiki's voice was flat, subdued.  "Because it might
get your precious Shampoo killed.  Ranma...isn't right in the head right
now.  He sustained a head injury this morning, and now thinks he's a girl. 
Also...he's tried to kill Shampoo, and probably will if they meet again." 
An eyebrow arched on the teenager's head.  "I believe she told you of
receiving the Kiss of Death?"
	Cologne nodded evenly.  "Yes, I am well aware of the events that
transpired earlier this evening.  Also, thanks to your testimony, I now
know what happened to cause Ranma's...change of heart.  However, I have no
intention of staying away from Ranma, if for no other reason than to
chastise him for the 'Kiss of Death' he gave my great-granddaughter." She
glared at the young woman, expecting the youngster's bluff to fail.
	To the young woman's credit, she smiled.  "I was afraid you'd say
that.  Therefore, you leave me no choice.  Your family is not to attempt
any harm to the Saotomes, the Tendos, the Kuonjis, or any other Japanese
citizen, under any circumstances."
	The old woman looked positively amused.  "And what do you plan to
do to stop me...or for that matter, leave this restaurant unharmed?" 
	Nabiki showed no fear from the threat; far from it.  "Really.  Do
you think I wouldn't have taken any precautions in this matter?"  She held
up a small radio.  "Right now I have a half-dozen people listening in on
this conversation.  If you do so much as touch me, or violate my order,
you learn, much to your horror, how your own laws taste."
	Cologne growled.  "Stop speaking nonsense, girl.  I am in charge
of Amazon law, and will always see to its swift enforcement.  There's no
way you could turn Amazon law against me."
	Nabiki grinned evilly.  "True...you are in charge of Amazon law.
But, what I am about to tell you is anything but nonsense.  You have tried
to impose your laws in a society and country to which they do not apply.
So...I decided to apply your laws to this place.  By those laws, _you_ and
Shampoo are the outsiders, not only to Nerima, which is in a way our
village, but to Japan.  Shall we see how those laws would apply in this
situation?"
	Cologne smiled in false confidence.  "How can the application of
our laws, which should have precedence in any matter, put us in the
wrong?"
	Nabiki continued to smile.  "To quote from your own book of laws,
'A woman of the village shall place a kiss of death upon one who threatens
death to those of the village.  A woman shall also consider any outsider
who attempts to take a husband from one of the village someone to be dealt
with by death if necessary.  For an outsider to use magical means to
change or influence a decision, or to threaten a person to decide
differently, is to be dealt with by death.  If these conditions persist,
despite persuasion to the contrary, then the village will declare war on
the offending person or group.'"
	"Since you are an outsider to this entire country, I have already
contacted certain people.  If any harm comes to anyone here, by your hand
or any of your village, then a state of war will be declared.  The Chinese
government will not defend you and will help as well, as the Ambassador
from China is not willing to go to war with Japan, and by extension the
United States, over you and your village."  Nabiki spoke with a chilling
calm, watching what little blood that remained in Cologne's face drain
away.  "By applying your laws, which is what you have always wanted, you
now stand on the brink of war in which the government of your own country
will help us with."
	Cologne looked at Nabiki, quite stunned at what this frail girl
had managed to do.  "If we do anything more against Ranma or any Japanese,
then the village will be scattered to the four winds."
	Nabiki growled, "Exactly.  You and your great-granddaughter have
caused enough trouble here.  If you cannot take a hint, then you invite
war.  Just think of what modern weapons will do to the village you worked
so hard to maintain.  Even martial arts cannot help against so many bombs,
bullets, and other weapons of destruction."  The woman showed a
conciliatory smile for the crone.  "Sorry to bother you at such a late
hour...but the situation required the urgency.  Good night, 'Matriarch'." 
	With that note, Nabiki turned and left the Nekohanten, leaving a
suddenly tired and frightened old woman behind.

***

	Ranma looked out at the stars of night, a strange sort of
melancholy entering her heart.  The day had been like a dream to her, a
nightmare turned good, with night's fears proven unfounded.  Now...it was
time for her to rest, to gather her strength for the coming day.
	"Ready to go to sleep, Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi looked quizzically at
her temporary roommate.  True to form, Ranma nodded eagerly. 
	The young housekeeper went over to her closet.  "Ranma-chan...I
have a small surprise for you."  She looked through the clothes,
eventually stopping at a long sheer nightgown of lace and silk.  She
pulled it out, and handed it to the young redhead.
	Ranma turned over the fabric in her hands, a strange mix of awe
and curiosity entering her features.  "Kasumi...I never quite pictured you
to have a nightgown like this..."
	For some reason, Kasumi's voice seemed to drop slightly, as though
the woman felt the time gone by.  "You can have it if you like.  I wore
stuff like this...in my younger days."  As if to punctuate her point, she
brought out her own conservative gown, and began to undress.
	The smile vanished from Ranma's face as she realized the
implications of Kasumi's statement.  "Younger days?  Kasumi, how old are
you?"
	"Twenty, you know that."  Kasumi grabbed her gown, and put it on. 
	Somehow, seeing this attractive, talented woman debase herself
like this flared... something within Ranma.  She grabbed the woman by the
shoulders, and looked her in the eye.
	"Kasumi, listen to me.  You are not old; you are a kind, noble,
intelligent, sweet soul, who's only just left her teenage years.  You've
got your whole life left in front of you."  The girl stammered, trying to
find the right words to say.  "Kasumi...last night you did something for
me that I can never repay...but I can try.  You have to learn to live for
yourself, not just for all of us.  It is time you started exploring a life
beyond these walls."
	Kasumi smiled, though with far less of the gentleness of before.
"Ranma- chan...I know you mean well...but no.  Besides, who'd want me?
Everyone sees Kasumi, the dependable housemaiden of the Tendo Dojo, not a
woman with wants and needs."
	A scarlet eyebrow arched on the young woman's face.  She put her
hands on her hips.  "Until last night, 'everyone' saw only a loudmouthed,
masculine martial artist named Ranma.  Last night...you taught me to live,
to explore who I am."  She stepped out of her dress, in order to punctuate
the change in her.  "Kasumi...Kasumi- oneechan...it is time you did the
same."
	The smile acquired a touch of humor.  "Oneechan, eh?  Well...you
are like a little sister...or brother...to me.  I wish I could, really I
do...but where would I start?"
	Ranma took off the rest of her clothes, and slipped into the sheer
gown.  "Fortunately, I do know the answer to that one.  You get in your
best dress, grab that hunk-of-a-doctor at the clinic, and take him out to
dinner.  Don't worry about supper tomorrow night; I'll cook, and try to
teach Akane while I'm at it."
	Kasumi looked at the woman in front of her, a strange mix of awe
and surprise on her features.  Here they needed to make no pretenses of
'personality dislocation' or other nonsense; this was probably the purest
essence of Ranma available.  The man/woman who had found her way to the
Dojo knew quite well what it was like to hide parts of herself, and the
resulting pain it could cause.  Now...she was using the wisdom that pain
had given her, to show her her own pain and how to fix it.  Unsure of what
else to do, Kasumi grabbed Ranma in a fierce hug.
	"O-okay.  I will, though I want you to help me choose the outfit,
alright?" 
	"Deal!"  The girl released the embrace, the smile broad on her
features.  "Now come on.  We both need our beauty sleep."  The two girls
turned off the lights and went to their respective beds, though the energy
still lingered in the air, keeping the ladies from slumber.
	"Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi stared at the ceiling, long-dead thoughts
swimming around in her head. 
	"Yes, Kasumi-oneechan?" 
	"I was wondering...how long do you plan to stay like this?" 
	The young lady sighed quietly.  "I dunno...I'd like to go at least
a month...for certain reasons." 
	"Certain reasons?" 
	"Do you remember the Phoenix pill mess, when I was stuck as a
girl?  How long was I stuck?" 
	Kasumi pondered this quietly.  "About a month and a...you mean..." 
	Ranma nodded.  "Yep.  Happened when I was stuck by the Chisuiton,
too."
	"Oh my..." Kasumi was dumbstruck.  For all of the time Ranma was a
boy, she never imagined her having a period...until now.  "Who did you
talk to?"
	Ranma shrugged.  "Who could I talk to?  I bought a pair of small
guy's briefs, looked on the box at the directions..."
	"That must have been frightening to go through all alone.  Mother
was already gone when I had my first, but I was at least expecting it."
	"That's an understatement.  I...it just cut my change in deeper.
Guys just don't have periods, you know?" 
	Kasumi bit her lip.  Something about those words..."Ranma-chan,
are you a boy or a girl?"
	The soft voice that responded was dulled by weariness.  "I'm not
100% man anymore...and it's been a long time since I was.  You can take
that statement any way you want."  She turned over on her futon.  "Good
night, Kasumi-oneechan."
	"Good night, Ranma...imooto." 
	Ranma started at this last statement.  Imooto...younger sister. 
Somehow, it felt...right, proper to her.  She closed her eyes and went to
sleep, her dreams quite different from what they had been.