[FIC][R1/2]Nodoka's Daughter Part 2

		Nodoka's Daughter

By James Lee

Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me. They are 
the property of their rightful owners. Suing me will get you
nowhere I have no money.

What has gone on before
	Ranma-chan saves Nodoka from being hit by a car, only to
be hit by the car herself. When she wakes up in the hospital, she
has total amnesia. Nodoka, not knowing who the girl is and feeling
responsible for what happened to her, decides to take her in.

Part 2: The Recovery

	"Do you have to carry that thing everywhere?" Asked 
Rieko pointing at the wrapped bundle.
	"I don't feel comfortable without it." Responded Nodoka.
	"I just afraid that your going to snap one day and 
as the Americans say 'go mailman' with it." Said Rieko going 
out the door.
	Nodoka just stared at her friend while trying to 
figure out what "going mailman" meant. Giving up she followed
Rieko to the girl's room. Upon entering the room Nodoka could 
see that the girl was indeed awake. Her eyes were open, but 
there was no life in them. She just laid there looking at the
ceiling. Rieko moved to the sink and got two glasses of water,
one hot and one cold. After getting the water she then spoke.
	"Do you remember when I told you she had to be brought 
in for emergency surgery last week?"
	"Umm..Yes."
	"Well you see, we use to have her shoulder bones held 
together with metal pins. Last week those pins were ripped 
out."
	"RIPPED OUT!? How?"
	"A nurse had come in to give the girl a sponge bath.
She was using hot water instead of lukewarm. When she used the
water on the girl this is what happened." Saying that Rieko 
poured the hot water onto the girl.
	Nodoka watch as the girl grew a head taller. She also
gained fifty kilos and her chest flatten. Her hair turned from
red to black. Nodoka gasped when she realized she was now 
looking at a young boy. Rieko continued.
	"We took the pins out. We didn't dare put them back. 
We had to risk having the shoulder heal properly without the
pins. Fortunately it seems to have healed okay so far."
	Nodoka was shaking her head. "H-How is this possible?"
	"We don't know. We've done every type of test we can on
her:blood, x-ray, CAT scan, etc. All we've been able to find 
out is two things:one, the change is complete down to the DNA
level, and two, hot water changes her into a boy, cold water 
changes her back into a girl." Rieko Demonstrated this by 
pouring the cold water on her, changing her back into a girl.
	"Now do you still want to take him or her in?"
	Nodoka thought about this then spoke. "Yes. Whether 
she's a boy or a girl she still saved my life."
	Rieko looked relieved to hear this. "Okay. Now here's
the even bigger question. Is she a boy or a girl?"
	Nodoka once again started thinking. As she thought, two 
things came to mind. The first was that she had been a girl 
before the accident. However, a little voice in the back of her
mind reminded her that it had been raining that day and she may
not have been able to change back. The second thing that came 
to mind was that cold water was more common than hot water.
Turning to Rieko she asked. "What are the chances of her 
getting her memory back?"
	"Just about none I'm afraid." Said Rieko shaking her
head.
	"In that case. I think it would be best if I brought her
back as a girl. With cold water being more common than hot and
what not." Said Nodoka ignoring the little voice telling her
that she might be making a mistake.
	"Hmmmm. Makes sense. Okay. I'll write up the adoption
and the transfer to Nagoya. I suggest you go home and pack. Your
going to be there for at least a couple of months......Oh! 
We'll also need a name."
	Nodoka Thought for a moment. "I think I'll call her 
'Ranko', the female equivalent of my son's name."
	"Ranko Saotome. Sounds good." Rieko said turning to 
head for her office.
	Nodoka stayed a little longer and then went home. She 
had much to do.

			*****

	Two days later Nodoka and Ranko arrived at the 
rehabilitation clinic at Nagoya. After checking in they were lead
to their rooms.
	"This well be Ranko's room. Your room will be next 
store." Said the doctor as he gently placed Ranko on the bed.
Nodoka  nodded her understanding. "We'll start her physical 
therapy tomorrow. Tonight I'd like to ask you a few questions 
about your daughter's Past."
	"I afraid I won't be much help Doctor. I adopted Ranko 
after the accident."
	"Oh? I couldn't tell. I mean she looks just like you."
	"Yes. I know." Nodoka had long ago realized that Ranko
did look very much like her. Something about the way Ranko 
looked like her bothered Nodoka deep down, but she shook it off.
Ranma was with Genma and the Tendos in China, of that she was 
sure. 
	The next day Ranko began her physical therapy. At first 
just trying to make connections with the different parts of her 
body and their purpose. She was soon able to move her eyes and 
fingers. Eventually she was able to move her arms and begin 
training on walking.
	Two weeks after arriving at the clinic Ranko spoke her 
first words. At first the words were simple yes or no answers,
but more words came later. 
	When Ranko was finally able to carry out a conversation 
Nodoka began to reteach her daughter on how to be a girl. How 
to act, how to Dress, how to put on makeup, and other girl 
"things". Nodoka was pleased to find her daughter to be a fast
learner.

			*****

	One day Ranko and Nodoka were sitting on a bench inside
the clinic compound. Ranko was on crutches, and was looking 
forward to walking. Turning to Nodoka she asked.
	"Mother?"
	"Umm....Yes Ranko?"
	"Who am I?"
	"You are Ranko Saotome. You are my daughter. I adopted
you after you loss your memory in a car accident."
	"Mother, why do I change sex when I get wet?"
	"No one knows dear. The doctors were never able to find
out why you change."
	"Umm....Mother, am I a boy or a girl?"
	Ounce again the nasty little voice inside Nodoka's head 
started telling her that she might have made a mistake. That
Ranko just might be a boy. Nodoka quickly stomped it out. It was
to late to turn back now. "You're a girl dear."
	It was now Nodoka's turn to ask a question that had been
bothering her.
	"Omm..Ranko? The reason you were in that accident and 
that you lost your memory was because of me. D-D-Do you hate
m-me for what happened to you?"
	Ranko looked at Nodoka for a moment contemplating her
last words. She then bent over and hugged Nodoka.
	"I-I could never hate you mother. Ever since I woke up 
you've always been there for me. I love you."
	With teary eyes Nodoka returned her child's hug. "Thank
you dear. I love you to. Now how bout we go in and make lunch."
	"COOL!" Ranko had grown quite fond of cooking.

			*****

	A week later Ranko woke up early. She was now walking 
slowly and had decide to surprise her mother. For once she'd wake
up her mother with breakfast in bed. Getting out of bed, she 
slowly made her way to the clinic kitchen. She then made some egg
omelets and toast. Placing the food and some orange juice on the 
tray Ranko then made her way to her mother's room. 
	Upon arriving at her mother's door Ranko could hear noise
from the other side. This disappointed her, she had been hoping to 
catch her mother asleep. Placing the tray down she began to 
opened the door, but then stopped.
	Through the open door crack she could see her mother in a
martial arts gi. This struck Ranko as kind of odd. Although she 
knew her mother had other cloths, she had rarely seen her in 
anything but a kimoto. 
	Ranko then saw her mother unwrap her bundle. Ranko had 
always wondered what was in the strange bundle that her mother 
carried everywhere. She could now see that it contained a very 
beautiful and very sharp looking katana.
	Almost hypnotized Ranko watched as her mother performed
an intricate dance with the weapon. Thrusting, slashing, and
perrying in an almost elegant manner. Once finished, her mother
placed the fine weapon done and begin another dance without the
sword. Her mother punched, and kicked with the same elegance as
before. When her mother was done with that dance Ranko opened the
door fully.
	"Mother? What are you doing?"
	Nodoka jumped. "Oh! Ranko you surprised me. I was doing my
practice kata."
	"Practice kata?"
	"Yes, I do it every morning. Do you see that sword over
there?" Ranko nodded. "That is my family's honor sword. It has
been pass down from mother to daughter for generations and it is
my duty to practice with it everyday."
	"What about those other moves? The ones without the sword."
	"That was kimpo. I practice that to keep in shape and to
find inner strength. Also if I was to ever get in a fight and
lose my sword I could use the kimpo to defend myself."
	"Can you teach me how to do that?"
	Nodoka looked a little concerned at that. "I don't know 
Ranko. It's not really proper for young girls to fight."
	"Ohh pleassse mother! I really want to learn this."
	Seeing how badly her daughter wanted this, Nodoka sighed.
"all right dear. But only if and when the doctors say it's okay."
	"Ohh! Thank you mother!" Ranko said hugging her Mom.
	Once the doctors said it was all right, Nodoka began to
train her daughter in kimpo and the ways of the sword. Nodoka was
surprised to find that Ranko was a natural. 
	Ranko would learn overnight moves that took Nodoka years to 
master. It was as if she had been practicing martial arts all her
life. With secret pride Nodoka watched as Ranko quickly reached
her level in the last weeks at the clinic. Ranko even made up a
new move the morning they checked out.

			*****

	Nodoka and Ranko stood in front of the Saotome home. It
was a small two storied house with a garden in the front yard.
	"Welcome to your new home Ranko." Nodoka said as she lead
her up to her room. "This is your room. I've ordered a few things
for you. My room is down the hall. The bathroom is across the 
hall to the left..."
	Ranko looked around the room. It had a rather comfortable
looking bed and a disk in the corner. There was also a small
makeup stand. Ranko then looked out into the hall.
	"Um..Mother what's that room over there?" Ranko said
pointing at the door directly across from her's.
	"That is your brother Ranma's room."
	"Ranma?"
	"Yes. he's on a training trip with your father. He's been
gone a very long time." 
	"Will I get to meet him and Father?"
	"Oh I'm sure you'll get to meet them someday. Now why
don't you unpack your things and after that come downstairs,
there's something I want to show you."
	Nodoka then turned and left the room. After she was gone
Ranko began to unpack. Once she was happy with where everything
was Ranko then came downstairs. She found her Mother sitting in
the living room, in front of her was a wrapped package. "Mother?"
	"Come Ranko, sit down." Ranko sat down in front of her
Mother. "This is for you Dear." Said Nodoka indicating the
package.
	"What is it?"
	"Open it and find out."
	Taking the package, Ranko tore at the wrapping paper. When
she opened the box she saw a sheathed Katana. It wasn't as fine a
weapon as the family honor blade, but it was a well made weapon.
For a while Ranko was speechless.
	"This your sword. I expect you to keep it sharp and take
care of it until such time that you inherit this sword." Said
Nodoka indicating her own weapon.
	"M-Mother...I...I don't know what to say..." 
	"Try thank you." Smiled Nodoka.
	Ranko hugged her Mother. "Thank you Mother. I'll take good
care it. I promise."
	"Your welcome Dear. Now get some rest, we're going
shopping for school supplies tomorrow. You'll be starting at
Juuban High next week."
	"What about my 'condition'?"
	"Mizuno-Sensei will explain to the school that you can't
come in contacted with hot water." Said Nodoka as she guided her
daughter to her room.

			*****

	"Class this is Ranko Saotome." Said the teacher as she
introduced Ranko. "She has just come back from a long recovery at
the hospital, I want you to make her welcomed. Miss Saotome, you
can sit over there."
	Ranko went to the desk she was pointed to. It was next to
another girl with short black hair. The girl turned to Ranko as 
she sat down.
	"Hi, I'm Ami. My Mother told me I might see you."
	"Ohh?"
	"Yeah, Dr. Mizuno."
	"Your Mizuno-Sensei's daughter?"
	"Um-Hm. Maybe we can talk during lunch."
	"Okay."
	With that the class begun. The first two classes were
math and history, witch Ranko found to be quit boring. The next 
class was P.E. They were doing gymnastics that day and using her
martial arts Ranko was able to make quit an impression on her
classmates. Ranko had just taken a shower after class, when she 
was approached by girl with long brown hair done in a ponytail.
	"Those were some pretty good moves you showed there." Said
the girl.
	"Thanks. They mostly come from the martial arts that my 
mom thought me." Replied Ranko.
	"Really? Cool! I'm Makoto Kino."
	"Umm...I'm Ranko Saotome."
	"You know we're starting a martial arts club here at
Juuban. You might...."
	"EEEEEEEKKKKK!!!!!!"
	Both girls turned to see a girl with long blond hair
leaving the shower stall Ranko had just used. She was shivering.
	"U-Usagi? What's wrong!?" Ask Makoto.
	"T-That water i-is fr-frezzing." 
	Ranko looked a little sheepish. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought
I turned it off."
	"You take cold showers?"
	"Ah...yes. I've got this 'condition' that's triggered by 
hot water. That's why I take cold showers."
	"H-How can you stand taking showers like that?" Asked 
Usagi.
	"You get use to it after awhile." Ranko was lying. She 
had never gotten used to cold showers. However, they were the only
thing she could take without risking a transformation.
	The next class was lunch. After Ranko got her lunch out 
of her locker, she looked for Ami. Ranko found her sitting with
Makoto and Usagi. Upon seeing Ranko they invited her to sit with
them. She did and they began to talk.
	Ranko found that she liked Makoto a lot. They shared many
of the same interest, particularly cooking and martial arts. She
found Usagi to be a bit ditzy, but otherwise friendly girl who 
shared her love of food (eating it that is). Ami proved to be 
friendly and one of the smartest girls in school. This was good
because Ranko was having some problems catching up with the rest
of the class.
	The last class of the day was an art class. Ranko to her
surprised found herself enjoying the class. She liked drawing and
decided she was going to join the school's art club as well.

			*****

	"So Ranko, how was your first day of school?" Asked 
Nodoka as she watched Ranko enter the house.
	"It was okay. I going to need some help catching up with
the rest of the class. At least I got to make some very nice
friends there."
	"Ohh?"
	"Yeah there's this girl there named Makoto who's into 
cooking just as much as I am."
	"That's nice dear." Nodoka was glad that her new daughter
was making friends. "So have you thought of joining any clubs 
there?"
	"Uh..Huh. There starting a martial arts club."
	"Martial arts club!...Ranko, you know how I feel about
girls fighting." Said Nodoka in a mock scolding tone. She had
long ago given up trying to talk Ranko out of martial arts 
though.
	"Oh mom! It isn't like I going to be brawling in the 
streets you know. It's just going to be practicing after school
and maybe entering a few tournaments."
	"Oh All right. So are there any other clubs your interested
in?"
	"Sure is. I'm thinking of joining the art club."
	"Oh really?" This was something different thought Nodoka.
	"Yeah. I really enjoyed the drawing class I had."
	"That's good Ranko. Who knows? If you stick to it you 
might become a good professional artist."
	"Umm...Maybe. If not, I can still cook and fight."

			*****

About a month later.
	"Well here we are at high school kendo championship and
what a surprise its been. What with the newcomers Juuban high
making it all the way to the finals. Now I understand that Juuban
doesn't have a kendo club, but they do have a martial arts club 
with a kendoist in it. Is that right Kujaku?" The announcer turned
to his partner.
	"They sure do Hiroki and a female one at that. She's 
fresh from her victory over Tomobiki's Mendo and looks ready to
take the championship."
	"Will she's going to have her work cut out for her. Now 
Juuban faces last year's champions Furinkan High."
	Ranko stood in the corner of the ring waiting. As she
waited Makoto and Nodoka went over her to make sure every thing
was okay.
	"You ready for this Ranko? You look tired and you have 
been at this all day."
	"Don't worry I'm ready. Besides, I'm the only kendoist 
in the club."
	"Okay. Just so long as you don't get hurt. Remember if 
you win there's a pizza party in it for ya."
	"Ohhh, I know I gotta win now!" Joked Ranko.
	"Just be careful dear." Said Nodoka as Makoto exited the
ring and the Furinkan team entered. The Furinkan champion was a
tall boy with short black hair.
	"Could it be the beautiful pigtailed girl? She who's.....
blah, blah, blah..(insert hour of poetic ranting here)..blah,
blah, blah......for it is I the blue thunder of Furinkan High
Tatewaki Kuno that you face today." As he said this thunder could
be heard outside.
	"RANKO!" Called Makoto from the stands.
	"Y-Yawn. W-What!? Are we ready to begin?" Ranko stared
at Kuno. *This guy is to weird!*
	"Know this Pigtailed Girl if you win you may date me."
	*Full of himself too!* Thought Ranko. "YEAH WHATEVER! 
Let's get this over with, there's pizza party with my name on it!"
	"BEGIN!" yelled the referee.
	"Very well I accept your challenge." With that Kuno 
charged, his bokken held high. He took a swing at Ranko, but she
was able to dodge. Rolling under kuno's swing, Ranko used her
bokken to swipe his legs from under him. Kuno hit the mate hard
on his back.
	"POINT JUUBAN!" As the referee yelled this the Juuban
club cheered.
	As Kuno got up Ranko moved to the far end of the ring 
and waited for the next round.
	"ROUND TWO BEGIN!" Yelled the referee.
	"So you wish to play hard to get! Very well, I go on!...
DA, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA...." Kuno's bokken became a blur headed
straight for Ranko. With a yell Ranko put up a defense.
	"LIGHTING PARRY(1)!" Ranko's own bokken became a blur as
it perried each of Kuno's blows. Ranko knew however that Kuno
would eventually wear her out and he was pushing her closer to the
edge of the ring, she had to find an opening. Getting an idea,
Ranko leaped over Kuno. Kuno, who no longer had a target in front
of him, found himself lounging forward. As Ranko landed behind
him, she swung and struck Kuno's back. This added to Kuno's forward
momentum, pushing him out of the ring and into the stands.
	"POINT WIN JUUBAN!" The Juuban club went wild.
	Suddenly Ranko felt herself being grabbed from behind.
	"Oh Pigtailed Girl! This victory can only mean you love
ME and no other!!" Said Kuno as he glomped onto her and fondled
her CENSORED. With the inhuman strength born of righteous female
anger Ranko sent Kuno through the roof. Makoto ran up to her.
	"Ranko are you all right!?"
	"Y-Yeah I think so."
	"Who was that guy? He seemed to know you." Said Makoto
looking at the hole in the roof.
	"God, I hope not! I never met such a Pompous ass..."
	"Who cares!" Interjected Usagi. "It's party time!"
	With that the rest of the Juuban martial arts club 
grabbed Ranko and started to carry her out of the ring.
	Nodoka watched with pride as her daughter was carried
away by her friends. Now that Ranko was fully recovered and settled
Nodoka decided it was time Genma found out about the new addition
to the family. It was also time Ranma meet his new sister. 
	"I think we should make that trip to the Tendo's now."
said Nodoka as she followed Ranko out of the ring.

To be continued

Notes
(1)This is one of the new moves Ranko's come up with using her
mothers sword training. It's actually a modified version of the
good old Chestnut Fist that's been so drilled into her that it's
now instinct. She doesn't remember learning the Chestnut Fist, 
so she gave it and other moves names she thinks sound good.

Some of the other moves she's come up with (or thinks she has) are:
SPEED FIST: Classic Chestnut Fist
WOLF STRIKE: Attack version of the Lighting Perry (Chestnut Fist
	     with weapon.)
WEASEL DODGE: Uses the speed of the Chestnut Fist to dodge.