(Cut Here)
	"Well, that doesn't just apply to martial artists.  Everyone needs 
to have honor, to keep their promises.  And some promises are made 
between families."
	"Uh-huh," replied Ranma, helping himself to another cake. 
	"Now, before he died, your father promised that our family, the 
Saotomes, would be joined with his friend's family, the Tendous, by 
matrimony."
	"Matri-huh?"
	"Marriage.  It's when a boy and girl get together to make a family, 
as your father and I did to have you."
	"Okay.  So?"
	"Well, I found out that the Tendou family has all sons, and normally 
that would mean there could be no marriage, because you'd both be 
boys.  The promise would be broken."
	Ranma looked puzzled.  "Boys can't marry each other?"
	"No.  It has to be a boy and a girl.  But I have wonderful news!  
There's a way you can become a girl, so the promise can be kept!"

[Tridnet:(Scowls) I knew it.
Flashman:(Shocked) Man... I never knew Nodoka could be so... so...
Sakura: Obsessed with honor?]

	"Ranma-chan, listen to me.  I know what I'm asking is hard for you, 
but it's to honor the promise your father made.  You want your father 
to be proud of you, don't you?"

[Flashman:(Winces) No fair bringing the dead relative into it.]

	"Are you sure Touchan would be proud of me?"
	"Yes, Dear.  This is what he would have wanted.  And it's a good 
thing to be a girl.  You'll get to wear pretty dresses, and learn fun 
things like cooking and sewing, and someday you'll have your own 
family!"  And, Nodoka added to herself, I'll be able to keep you safe 
and near me.

[Flashman: Jeez, now I'm learning that she's rather selfish too.]

	"Moshi Moshi, Tendou residence."
	"Tendou-san?  This is Nodoka Saotome again."
	"Oh, yes.  Once again, my condolences on your husband's death.  If 
there's anything I can do--"
	"As a matter of fact...You mentioned the pledge for our two families 
to be joined?"
	"Of course.  But our children are still a bit young for that, aren't 
they?"
	"Yes, they are.  But I want to plan for the future.  Is there one of 
your children who'll be your heir to the dojo?"
	"Kaneda, I am sure.  He's taken to martial arts like a duck to water.
  Chip off the old block, actually."  A father's pride shone in 
Souun's voice.
	"Good.  I'd like to engage my daughter Ranko to him."
	"Daughter?!  But I'm sure Saotome-kun said--"
	"I'm sure my husband said many things, but Ranko is definitely a 
girl."  Or at least she will be by the time you see her, Nodoka added 
silently. 

[Flashman: In the words of Sam Bekket, "Ooooh BOY!"
Sakura:(Soun imitation) Nodaka, you got som' splanin to do.]

	"I'm not sure we should set it in stone this far in advance, but 
since it was a solemn promise...  It'll be difficult raising a 
daughter alone, perhaps you should move in with us.  I'm sure my wife 
wouldn't mind the company."
	"Ah, no, I couldn't impose, Tendou-san.  Besides, there are matters 
to be attended to here.  Preparations to make."
	"Of course.  Please, don't hesitate to call on us if you need help." 

	"I will, thank you.  Goodbye."
	"Goodbye."
	Nodoka gently lay down the phone.  This was it then, she had 
committed herself and Ranma, no, *Ranko* to the honorable path.  
Everything was set in motion.
	At last, she could weep for her husband.

[Flashman:(Sarcasticaly) So it takes stealing your little boys 
manhood and completly screwing up his life to let her cry?
Trident: I... DISLIKE that woman.]

	Kaneda sat in shock for a moment.  He knew that sometimes people did 
strange things in the name of honor.  But this, this was just plain 
bizarre.

[Jotarou Joestar: Did someone say "bizarre"?
Trident: Where did HE come from?]

	Ranko nodded.  "Apparently if you control the family register, as my 
mother does, you can change it to read whatever you want.  That was 
the easy part.  Getting me to act properly was a lot tougher.  I had 
to get used to a new name, different clothes...and proper behavior.
	"It was hard at first.  I couldn't do a lot of the stuff I liked, 
and some of the new things didn't seem like nearly as much fun as my 
mother had claimed.  But Okaasan was very patient and supportive, and 
pretty soon I was really enthusiastic about training to become a 
perfect bride."
	Kaneda shuddered.  "A perfect bride."  For him.  Except he didn't 
want a perfect bride.  Especially if she was a freak.  His anger 
swelled again.

[Flashman: Now we see how much like Akane he is.]

	But he couldn't blame Ranko.  She was just a pawn here, like himself.
  Kaneda swallowed hard.  "So when did you actually become a girl?"

[Trident:(Miniscule smile) He seems much better behaved.]

	The guests were waiting at the small inn near the valley.  Two of 
them, beautiful women.  Well, actually the younger could be better 
described as "handsome".  The Guide told himself to stop thinking 
naughty thoughts, especially about a girl who might soon be something 
else entirely.

[Flashman: Or exactly what he was thinking.]

	[You speak our language?]
	[Only a little.]
	[Honored guests, are you sure you wish to visit Jyuusenkyo?  It is 
not a healthy place.]
	[Yes, I am certain.]  Nodoka's eyes shone.  The Guide felt 
distinctly uneasy.

[Sakura: With good reason.]
	
	[All...tragic stories?  No happy ones?]
	[They are not called cursed springs for nothing.]
	Still, the pair insisted on continuing.
	About noon, they came to the valley itself, the pools lying peaceful 
with the ever-fresh bamboo poles sticking out of them.  They always 
seemed peaceful, except during flood season.  This was deceptive. 
	The Guide began to show his customers the better-known springs, 
being very careful to keep them to the wide and safe path through the 
valley. 
	[And that is only safe spring for guests, Nyanniichuan.]
	[Spring of Drowned Girl?] asked Ranko.
	[Yes.  If a man or animal fell in, he would take the shape he would 
have been if born a human female.  On girls, no effect.]
	Nodoka had drawn a piece of paper from her kimono sleeve.  "Yes, 
this is the one.  Are you ready, Ranko?"
	"Y-yes, Okaasan.  As ready as I'll ever be."
	The guide was puzzled.  His Japanese wasn't so good, but it sounded 
like they'd been looking for the Nyanniichaun specifically. 
	Ranko took a rope out of her pack and tied it around her waist, 
handing the other end to her mother.
	She moved forward.  "This is for you, Oto--ack!"  She slipped on the 
wet grass and fell into the pool.

[Flashman:(Sigh) Leave it to Ranko to ruin a dramatic moment.]

	Indeed, the girl's traveling garb was now waterlogged and clinging 
to her obvious assets.  The Guide resolutely looked away, thinking of 
his dear departed wife, though he somehow thought Ranko looked 
shorter.
	"I...I feel good.  Weird, but good."
	[Guide?  We've seen all we need to.  Let's go back to the inn.]
	Both of the women were grinning, as at a private joke.  The Guide 
wondered when the disaster would occur, but they made it out of the 
springs without further incident.  And nothing bad happened on the 
way to the inn, either.  But the omens were never wrong.
	The Guide stayed up all night waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[Trident:(Scowl still in place) It already has.]

	"A magic spring?"
	"Yes.  Cold water allows me to assume my female form.  Hot water 
makes me male."  Ranko demonstrated with some of the bathwater.  Her 
towel slipped off at the transformation, and Kaneda noted with 
irrational jealousy that "Ranma" was better...built...than him.

[(Sakura blushes and Flashman snickers.)
Trident: I don't understand, what is he so upset about?]

	"After that, we had to get me a whole new wardrobe, we didn't think 
I'd shrink that much, and I trained to get my new center of balance 
right so I wouldn't look clumsy.  And as soon as I was used to my new 
body, Okaasan decided it was time to honor the engagement."

[Flashman: Uh oh.]

	"Honor...the engagement.  Ranko, can't you see how *wrong* this is?  
You're a *guy*!"  Kaneda's voice was dangerously close to loud again.

	Ranko looked sadly at him.  "Kaneda, for all intents and purposes, 
I'm a girl who turns male in hot water.  If it disturbs you that much,
 I could get used to cold baths.  You'd never see my male form again.
"
	That she would go so far to preserve this mockery only served to 
make Kaneda angrier.  "I can't do this!  You should be marrying one 
of my sisters!"  
	"Would they willingly marry a girl?"
	Kaneda started to protest, then caught his breath.  The last thing 
Kasumi needed was a wife, and while Nabiki would be more than willing 
to let her spouse do the housework, he knew she had no use for 
effeminate men.  That wasn't going to work either, unless...

[All: He has an idea.]

	"I have an idea."
[Flashman: Saw that coming?
(All three raise their hands.)]

	"Uh...it'll take some time to work out.  But I am not accepting this 
engagement, understand?"  He folded his arms and turned his head. 	
	Ranko sighed.  "Will you at least promise not to tell my secret yet?
" 
	"I don't know how you plan to keep it from Kasumi and Nabiki, since 
girls in a family usually bathe together, but yes, I'll keep it 
secret...for now."
	"Thanks!"  She readjusted her towel, and headed into the changing 
room.  "Oh, you'd better finish your bath."
			*		*		*
	Nabiki was getting antsy.  She'd sent Kaneda down to the bathroom 
ages ago, and so far no screams, shouts or crashing noises.  He 
hadn't got distracted somehow, had he?

[Sakura: Now NABIKI is thinking like a pervert.
Flashman: LOL
Trident: What does she mean by, "distracted"?]
 
	As Nabiki turned into the bathroom's hall, she almost ran into Ranko.
 
	"Oh!  Excuse me, please!"
	"No problem, Ranko.  Say, have you seen Kaneda?"
	"Yes.  He's taking his bath now, so you might not want to go in.  It 
seems someone walked off with the "occupied" sign."

[Trident: Should not that be 'occupied' instead of "occupied" as 
someone is talking?
Flashman: AHA!  Our first REAL C&C.]

	Nabiki was easily able to avoid reacting to this, thanks to long 
practice at practical jokes.  She noticed the younger girl seemed 
more subdued than before.  Perhaps Kaneda had been rude to her, or 
Ranko had been more embarrassed when walked in on than Nabiki would 
have thought.  Or she hadn't liked what she'd seen...nah, her brother 
was "average" in that respect.  This wasn't the first time he'd 
accidentally walked in on someone, after all.
	"Thanks, Ranko.  I can wait."
	"Dinner's ready!" came Kasumi's voice from the kitchen.  "Everyone 
please take your places."
	The girls headed to the family room.
			*		*		*
(Paste Here)