Hello.  I'm back.

And I'm not the only one.  

I got in touch with Hitomi about a month or two ago.  Right now she
doesn't want to come back to the ML, but asked me to post in her stead. 
Here's part 2 of Ranko's Life.

Enjoy!

-- Nick

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


	He had been successful.
	Before him and the village lay the form of a demon unlike any that he
had ever seen before.  It looked strangely like a combination of man and
troll, and had been extremely difficult to kill.  If Kaneda had not been
so enraged at it to go past his fear, his own survival would have been
in doubt.
	In a way, it was fortunate that his wife, Ranko, had chosen to join in
the battle despite his wishes.  She had come along in her skills since
they first met, but she still had a lot to learn - such as how to listen
to her husband as to what she could fight.  If Ranko hadn't been such a
tomboy as to get into the battle, she would never have been tossed aside
and her life would never have been at risk.  It annoyed him, but he
supposed it was his own fault that she was no longer the traditional
wife that his father had engaged him to.
	Ranko was shaking her head, the red highlights in her black hair adding
cute sparkles as she started to head towards him, still wanting to
fight.  "Baka!  Why didn't you leave something for me to do!"
	Kaneda grimaced a bit, "What did you expect me to do, wait for you to
wake up?"
	Flushing, she replied, "I wasn't knocked unconscious, I was only
stunned."
	Kaneda looked down at his wife as he took her in his arms, "You know,
you're a real tomboy at times...And I wouldn't have it any other way."
	Ranko looked up at him as she put her arms around his neck, "Good.  I'm
glad you understand that because I'm always going to be with you, no
matter what."
	As they kissed, Kaneda started to think how lucky it was that his
father had arranged this marriage, and that he had found the perfect
companion.
	That was when something shifted, and when he opened his eyes to look at
Ranko again, he was staring her, or rather him, straight in the eye.  He
released his hold on the person that he had his arms around, and backed
up, wondering where the woman he loved went.  "Who the hell are you?"
	The person looked back at him, "It's me Kaneda-kun, your wife, Ranko."
	Kaneda screamed with disbelief and loss...

Ranko's Life:

Chapter Two:

Is Honour Really Worth...

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

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Saotome Ranko, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Akane, Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Kuno Tatewaki,
and Tofu Ono Sensei are copyright 1987, 1998 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Tendo Kaneda are copyright 1997, 1998 by unknown

Publishing rights:

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

Also partially based upon Takeuchi Naoko's Manga series, Codename: 
Sailor V and Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon

Osaka Naru, Tsukino Usagi, Tsukino Ikuko, and Tsukino Kenji are
copyright 1987, 1998 by Takeuchi Naoko.

Publishing rights:

Japan:		Kodansha
North America:	Mixxine

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	...and his eyes snapped open to stare into sky blue eyes looking down
at him.
	Kaneda's body jerked a bit as he looked up, startled by the face
looking down on him from above.  The face of the girl who was to become
his fiancee.  A girl that he had imagined was a boy in the dream he had
to have been having.
	"Are you all right Kaneda-kun?"  asked the concerned young woman as she
carefully stroked the side of his face.  The way he had collapsed after
observing her secret scared her badly.  If this is what could happen to
the strongest, nicest man she had ever met other than her father, then
what would happen with her Uncle Tendo?  Even though she was of the
opinion that the Tendo family should have been told from the start, her
mother's precautions had been correct.  It would have been better to
keep her secret away from anyone else.
	Kaneda began rubbing his head and got up slowly, only to realise that
he was naked, and in the bath with Ranko, who was also in a similar
state of disrobement.  Such things were not very good for his mind,
especially considering the fact that he fainted.  Jerking himself away
from her slightly, Kaneda exclaimed, "Wha...Wha....What are you doing in
here?"
	Ranko released the breath that she had been holding, relieved that he
was all right.  "I came in here for a bath Kaneda-kun.  I was sure that
I put out the sign."
	Kaneda shook his head, "There wasn't a sign on the door when I came
in.  But considering how out of it I was, at least enough to faint at
the..sight...of....."
	It was when he realised that they were both still in the bath, and
naked.  "EEEPPP!!"
	Ranko shook her head, confused by his actions.  Given the way her
fiancee had collapsed, and the way he was acting now, perhaps he didn't
mind the fact that she had another body.  Until she was sure, however,
it would be best to keep that secret away from him, unless, of course,
he mentioned it.  "Kaneda-kun, is there anything wrong now?"
	Keeping his eyes shut, and trying hard not to imagine her body, he
quickly replied, "Ranko, We're still undressed!"
	Ranko huffed, annoyed at him.  "I was scared about you after you
collapsed in front of me, and all you have to say is 'We're still
undressed!'?  I hardly think we should be concerned about that! 
Besides, we are engaged Kaneda-kun.  You have a perfect right to see me
like this."
	Putting his head in his hands, he groaned...

***

	Nabiki was frowning as she stood a little ways away, looking down the
hall towards the washroom.  Five minutes before, she had seen her
brother enter the bath, and Ranko should have still been in there.  The
problem here was the reaction, or rather, the lack of a reaction.
	There hadn't been any sort of screams of anger, no signs of
indignation, no little brother running away from the screams of
'hentai.'  Somehow it remained absolutely quiet.  What was going on in
there?  Nabiki had to find out.
	Sneaking over to the outer doors, Nabiki looked in cautiously.  Perhaps
her little brother heard Ranko cleaning up.  Unlikely, especially given
how single-minded he became when he was angry or annoyed, but still, the
Kami did provide guidance.  "Not there," she muttered quietly to herself
as she went to the inner doors, "Perhaps Ranko left alread...."
	She cut herself off as she looked inside and saw what was going on. 
Slowly pulling away so she wouldn't disturb them, she eased the door
closed and walked away, a gentle smile on her face.  *Perhaps there's
hope for the marriage after all.  He does seem to enjoy her helping him
in there...*

***

	Kaneda winced to himself as he endured Ranko's ministrations in helping
him wash up.  After what she said to him about having every right to see
her undressed, he tried to come up with several arguments to the
contrary.  Unfortunately, she had answers to all of his objections;
answers to which he couldn't counter without going against the weight of
culture.  He wished that he had been able to counter at least one of her
arguments, but she wasn't about to be put off in this matter.
	Besides, he was sort of enjoying it.
	"There, Kaneda-kun,"  Ranko said as she finished washing off his back,
"you're all clean and ready to relax."
	Kaneda cleared his throat, "Thank-you Ranko-chan.  I...I wish to
apologise for walking in on you earlier.  You did not have to act the
way you did when I fainted."
	Ranko blushed slightly as she remembered the reason why he fainted. 
"It is of no matter, Kaneda-kun.  I should have prepared myself for what
it would be like in a larger household.  The fault is mine since this is
your house."
	She was doing it again.  After showing some backbone when he wanted to
be left alone, she was now deferring to him once again.  Kaneda had to
make her understand that this was not what he wanted from a fiancee.  He
turned around to face her.  "Ranko-chan.  You were not at fault, and you
should not feel as though you were.  Yes, I was surprised to find out
that we are to be married, but nothing that you have done to this point
is wrong."
	Seeing Ranko's eyes open a bit, he continued, "Yes, I know you were
brought up knowing that you would be married to me, but _I_ only found
out about this today, not long before you arrived.  I did not expect to
be engaged to someone just yet, and certainly not someone traditional. 
This, in no way is your fault, but I am to blame for making many
assumptions."
	*Amaterasu Kamisama!  Is he saying that he does not want to marry me?* 
Ranko wondered, and despite her best effort to remain calm, tears
started to come to her eyes.  *I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't
want to marry me.*
	Kaneda, seeing the tears forming in her eyes, quickly continued, "I'm
not saying that I want to call off the engagement, at least not yet, but
I do want to get to know you better.  I want to teach you the martial
arts, to help you come out of the shell that you've been in all of your
life, most of all, to help you become more than you were raised to be. 
Do you understand?"
	Ranko's eyes opened wider at that, and she stammered, "You...you want
me to be someone else?"
	Smiling slightly, Kaneda shook his head no.  "I want you to be
yourself, but yourself without any artificial limits."
	He laughed suddenly.  "I was caught up in thinking along traditional
lines when I fainted, so I know what you will be fighting against. 
Somehow, I imagined that making you stronger and more modern would make
you into a man."
	Ranko's face suddenly took on a pained look, and she knew he had to
know.  Now.  Before anyone else told him.  "Kaneda, there is something
about me that you really have to know, and understand."
	Noticing how she had dropped the honourific that she was always using
as well as her expression, Kaneda became concerned.  "What is it
Ranko-chan?"
	She took a deep breath, "I...I can turn male if hot water is poured on
me."
	Kaneda's eyebrow started to twitch slowly and quickly became more
obvious as he tried to comprehend that.  *She believes what she's
saying.  Ranko actually believes she could turn into a man.  I've been
engaged to a madwoman...Although it would explain...*  "Impossible..."
	Sighing, Ranko continued.  "I am going to tell you a story.  It is
rather long and involved, but you should know everything."
	"You...turn...into...a...man....with..."
	Annoyed, she looked him in the eye, "Hot water.  Yes.  Now listen
before I try a different way of knocking some sense into your head."
	Shaking his head, the youngest Tendo sat down silently as Ranko began
her tale...

***

Ten Years Previously...

	The day had started off well for a couple of wandering martial
artists.  At least, that's how Genma viewed life on the road and the
training trip that he and Ranma were currently taking.  Wide open
spaces, the opportunities to teach the art and learn from the
surrounding environment, and best of all, the unconditional love of his
son.
	The  only thing in his life that really mattered.
	They had been on the road for nearly a year now, and Ranma easily
learned more than he did during his first real year of training.  The
boy was a delight to train, his mind easily understanding the
intricacies of the Art and the physical techniques involved.  From the
simple tricks, such as putting out a candle using only currents of air,
to  the harder lessons of learning how to balance on a thin rope, Ranma
had proved that he could handle virtually any challenge that came his
way.  Genma was sure that his son would grow up to become the premiere
martial artist of his generation.
	Sure, there had been a few unsettling incidents, such as Kuonji girl
who wanted to marry his boy, but he was determined to keep his son away
from all girls until the proper time.  Given how that young girl had
acted when they were only children, he had made the right decision to
remove his son from Nodoka's influence.  Something he would never have
done if he hadn't recognised Ranma's potential while teaching him the
simpler childhood exercises common to all forms of the Art.
	It was the boy's potential that had Genma willing to throw away
everything that he wanted for himself.  A home, family, friends, and
most importantly, his loving wife.  More than anything, he regretted
that he had to remove himself and their son from her.  It still broke
his heart although he would never let it show on his face.  He hoped
that someday he would be able to return home to her, but knew, in his
heart, that such a time would be a long way away.  Until that time,
Ranma's training had to be utmost in his mind.
	He was still amazed at the amount of pride the memories of his son's
early years brought him.  By the time the boy was three, he was already
able to evade and avoid better than children three times his age.  By
the time he was four, he had perfected intense and intricate Kata that
would have been hard for an adult to learn, and at a speed that was
unexpected in one so young.  Ranma's flexibility, endurance, and
durability were well beyond what any would expect of a normal human
being.  His son was one of the few born every generation that had the
potential to become a true grand-master.
	Still, however much pride he had in his son, being a martial artist
involved facing dangers unlike those faced by others.  He had to risk
his sons life to increase the level of skill the boy had.  He could
remember, painfully, everytime he had put his boy through such training;
everytime Ranma even looked like he was about to fall or hurt himself. 
It was only with a lot of determination and self control that he had he
held himself back.
	And he would do it again today, especially since a copy of one of the
scrolls that he had carried with him, one that described one of the
forbidden techniques that he had developed but decided was too dangerous
to ever use except in the most dire emergency, had been stolen.  Whoever
had that scroll, if they could figure it out, could eventually become a
great danger to a number of people.  Whatever happened because of it was
the responsibility of the Saotome clan.
	If only he hadn't gotten drunk a few nights ago.
	It scared Genma, especially since it was only luck that Ranma had not
been sleeping in the tent with him that night.  The boy had an
opportunity to spend a few days with one of his cousins, and Genma had
relented in his training long enough to let him spend some time with her
family.  A fortunate thing, all things considered.
	He was determined never to drink so much that he would forget his
responsibilities ever again.
	Today's exercises would prepare the boy for the major rigours required
of a person whose life is part of the Art.  He had spent a large part of
the night before setting up a course that he had thought of to improve
Ranma's balancing skills.  Relatively simple and easy, it followed a
curved course around the small training area that Genma, thanks to
family members, was able to arrange the use of.  Set a foot apart,  the
rattan staves rose to a height of three feet above the ground.  When
Ranma came back this morning, he would begin to intensify the training. 
As of the time his son could do this, he would then take the time to
teach him the Neko-Ken.
	For now, however, it was time to test the course.

***

	Ikuko was smiling at the sounds of the two giggling children coming
from her daughter's room.  Although only slightly older than her
daughter, Usagi, Ranma was definitely a boon to the household since the
four year old looked up to, and admired her cousin who could do so many
different tricks.  It was too bad that her brother-in-law was going to
take the young man away.  Having such an inventive and innovative person
was doing wonders with her normally lazy and flighty daughter.
	Wonder of wonders, he actually had the young girl waking up early.
	Still, she knew the role that Genma, and her sister Nodoka, had for the
young man, and that role precluded the indulgence of being close to
family for any extended period of time.  It was sad that Ranma's
childhood would be cut so short, but for the sake of the Art, and the
sake of Japan, the skills of the past had to be learned and continued by
the next generation.  And for the family's sake, that role meant that
Ranma was to become a legend, one of the living treasures of Japan.
	A role that was much sought after, yet contained the ultimate sacrifice
of becoming the best person on the planet in place of personal
considerations.  It was a role that required giving up the normal ties
of society; friends, acquaintances, even family would be dismissed in
order to create one of the finest warriors on the planet.
	If only there had been another honourable way to train the young boy in
the ultimate of Martial Arts.
	Unfortunately, it would soon be time to take Ranma back to his father,
and to the life of a wandering martial artist.  Undoubtedly the boy
would become one of the greatest of his generation, but was that worth
the price of being separated from his family, and having occasional
visits as treats?  Tsukino Ikuko did not think so, but it was not her
place to criticise her elder sister;  she had been against Nodoka
marrying him especially since the investigator discovered his connection
with the disgraced personage of Happousai.
	She still shuddered at what had been her one and only meeting with that
particular personage.
	Thankfully, Genma had not taught his son such dishonour as he himself
was taught, and that was the good thing.  In every way that she could
see, her brother-in-law followed the honourable path towards
enlightenment, and that could mean everything.  Perhaps the taint that
was Happousai could be eliminated within this generation.
	Such was hope, however, and not reality.
	Climbing the stairs, she entered the room which Ranma had shared with
his young cousin for the past few days and smiled at what she saw. 
Ranma wasn't complaining as Usagi kept pestering him with the stuffed
dolls that she usually kept on her bed, instead using blankets to make a
pretend bunny hill so that the stuffed rabbits could pop out of holes. 
It tore at her heart to remove her nephew from the fun he was having,
but such was required, "Ranma, it's time to go."
	Ranma looked up at his aunt, "Go where, Obasan?"
	Smiling slightly, Ikuko continued, "We have to go meet your father,
he's waiting to teach you some more of the Art."
	Ranma's smile grew even wider, and turned to his cousin to say
good-bye, but when he saw the way that her face had crumpled, he made
another decision.  "Do you want to come with us, Usagi-chan?"
	Usagi's face grew brighter as she nodded quickly, and rushed to get her
backpack.  In minutes she had stuffed some clothes and toys in it. 
"Ready to go Niichan!"
	Ranma giggled a bit as Ikuko hid her own smile.

***

	Ikuko watched as the two children walked hand in hand down the road,
talking and giggling about all sorts of things that caught their
attention.  Ranma was such a nice young man, polite, caring, friendly,
and he made friends easily.  He was a wonderful role-model for Usagi,
and they obviously loved each other very much.  It was a shame that they
had to be separated so soon.
	Sighing, she peered over the fence, and what she saw made her gasp. 
"Ranma, I want you to stay here with Usagi for a while.  Do not come any
closer, and do not turn the corner."
	Ranma looked up at his aunt in confusion, "Why?  What's wrong Obasan?"
	Ikuko looked down, "I'll tell you some other time Ranma, for now listen
to me and do what I say."
	Confused but obedient, he nodded while his Aunt turned around the
corner and into the yard.
	Ikuko stayed as calm as she dared as she checked Genma's body which was
impaled on a short stick stuck into the ground.  Determining that he was
dead, she came back out, quickly gathered the children, and led them
towards a phone.  It was only for the sake of Ranma and Usagi that she
hadn't broken down screaming.

***

	*Whatever happens,* Nodoka reminded herself silently as she took the
train to Juuban, still in shock over what her little sister had told
her, *I must keep calm and not let the children know what happened as of
yet.*
	When Ikuko had called her, and told her of Genma's death, Nodoka almost
screamed with the agony that she felt.  As it was, she had collapsed,
and not because of the promise that Genma had signed before he left with
their child.  No matter the time or distance, the fact that Genma was
out there somewhere, training Ranma, was what held her together and gave
her hope.  His death had torn a hole in her heart unlike anything that
she had experienced before, and she knew it would never heal.  He had
been the only man she had ever loved.
	If anything, she never wanted Ranma involved with the Art again if she
could help it.
	Unfortunately, family honour was at stake, especially since there was
an agreement to marry Ranma to one of the Tendo children.  In order to
make sure the Art survived, both men had pledged to join the family
lines.  Even with the dangers of the Art, especially given the accident
that had happened to her husband, she would be forced to risk her
child's life over and over again.  It was the only way open to her.
	Noticing where she was,  Nodoka got up and left the train.  When she
had left the platform, she saw Ikuko.  "Hello, Imoto."
	Ikuko started slightly to the greeting, and bowed slightly to her elder
sister, "I greet you, Elder Sister, and offer my apologies for giving
you cause to have grief."
	Nodoka bowed back, inwardly pleased by her younger sister following the
strictures of ancient customs.  The formal greeting did little to
assuage her feelings, but it went a long way towards showing how she had
grown.  If anything, Ikuko was much more modern than Nodoka could ever
force herself to be.  "I thank you, Younger Sister, and I understand the
duty to which you have been given by the Kami.  It is well to see you
and that honour has remained intact.  Will you accompany me to the
resting place of my husband's mortal remains?"
	"This I will do, Elder Sister,"  Ikuko replied, "I have asked the Miko
to attend and to review if he may join those who dwell in ultimate
honour."
	Nodoka nodded slightly, acknowledging her sister's recognition of her
husband's honour.  "I thank you for this consideration, and will abide
by her decision."
	Together they left, each considering the vast changes that would be
required by their family in order to recover.  With the death of Saotome
Genma, Ranma's role as a future grand-master was in doubt, and with that
the honour of the family was in question.  Honour required a solution,
but what kind of solution could be provided in this situation that would
not risk Ranma's life and the future of the family?

***

	It had been several hard days at the Tsukino household.
	So far, they had managed to keep the secret of Genma's death away from
Ranma and Usagi by telling him that his father was going to be with the
Kami for the foreseeable future.  Given what the boy's father had told
him on the road, he believed that his father was off training with
various Tengu or other beings of the Art, a belief he passed on to his
young cousin.  The family agreed that for as long as they could, the two
children would keep their innocence.
	At least, that was what they hoped.
	Nodoka had taken up her responsibilities in her usual calm, cool, and
seemingly detached demeanour, preferring not to let any emotion show
through to the outside world.  Grateful for her sister's husband being
willing to lend his home, she went about planning the death rites and
celebrations that the life of one dedicated to the Art required. 
Although there had been some argument, given that Genma had trained with
the disgraced master, in the end the Miko had agreed that Genma would be
allowed a place, not only with the Honoured Ancestors of the Saotome
line, within the ranks of the fighting kami of Amaterasu.  Nodoka had
silently hoped for more, but deification was rare in this age, and the
only ones in living memory that had been allowed the ceremony had been
the Emperors on ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
	However, the question of what to do to keep Ranma training in the Art
rose to her mind, and Nodoka shuddered at the thought of risking her
son's life.  If there was some way to ensure that he would not be
harmed, or would be able to be kept out of the Art without dishonour to
the family, she would take it.  To that end, she had been spending the
nights reading all of her husband's library of scrolls, books, and other
paraphernalia.  Not only those that he had carried with him, but those
that he had left in her care.
	Her search had not been able to turn up any option up to this point.
	Nodoka sighed, and looked over to where Ranma was playing with Usagi. 
They looked so happy together, and Ranma was so well behaved while
playing with his young cousin.  The innocence of the children was
endearing, and very much a part of who and what they were.  If things
had gone as planed, Usagi would retain her innocence for a long time to
come, while Ranma would have had his burned out within the next couple
of years.
	Unfortunately, she did not see any solution to the situation.  If the
Art, and family honour was to be continued, she would have to give up
her son, and probably give up any hope of seeing him alive ever again. 
It was just so unfair!
	She was determined to keep Ranma close for the few weeks she would be
allowed to keep him.
	Usagi had looked up to where her aunt was and noticed the slightly sad
face that was evident.  While she wasn't really old enough to
intellectually understand what was going on, the one thing Usagi knew
was emotion.  And from what little she knew, the response to such a face
was to give a hug.  Going up to her aunt, that was exactly what she did,
saying, "It OK, Obasan."
	Nodoka was surprised, but pleased at the totally guileless and innocent
attempt to reassure her.  Usagi's emotions and responses were pure,
unsullied by the trials of growing and adulthood.  For some reason she
felt a lot better and let a few tears fall out of her eyes. 
*Usagi-chan, I don't know what it is, but there is a magic about you
that is special.  I wish that there was a way that Ranma could be more
like you, and be spared the dangers that training as a martial artist
would bring.*
	She suddenly felt someone else hug her, and a timid voice saying, "It
will be OK, Haha."
	Nodoka let the book that she had on her lap drop to the floor as she
took both children into her arms and hugged them.  The moment was what
mattered, not the search, not the possibility of losing her son forever,
but this moment.  She would cherish this for as long as she could and
for the rest of her life.
	Unnoticed, the book fell against the small stack at the side of the
chair and knocked several open.  It wasn't until later that Nodoka
noticed this, and while cleaning up decided that that hug was probably
the greatest thing to ever happen to her.  In some manner, the Kami had
provided a possible answer to her dreams.

***

	"The mysterious training ground known as Jusenkyo  is shrouded in
rumour and innuendo.
	"There are many who say that this, one of the least mentioned of the
ancient training grounds of China, yet one of the most ancient, is a
place of bitter pain and sorrow, yet others who say that it provided a
blessing beyond measure.  No one is quite sure what they mean by that,
but no martial artist who has visited there has ever truly written what
spiritual lesson may be learned from such a place.
	"My own masters say nothing of what it means to go to Jusenkyo, only
mentioning that it was the ultimate test of character, the ultimate test
of a person's being, and that if I should be foolish or wise enough to
go, I would face something beyond the simple measure of the moment.
	"Listening to this advice, I travelled here, to this forbidding and
wide land, only to learn the strangest and probably most uncomfortable
lesson the Gods and Goddesses could present to a mortal.  It is a test
of the soul so great, only one of great strength could hope to survive
it as an adult.
	"Jusenkyo is called the training ground of accursed springs by the
locals because of what can happen when one trains there.
	"The training ground consists of magically renewed bamboo poles growing
out of pools that are scattered around almost an entire valley.  The
physical test is to pass upon the poles from one side of the valley
where the pools are located to the other without losing your balance. 
If you lose your balance, you fall into a pool of water, if you are
unlucky.
	"The fortunate die or hit the ground in between the pools.
	"Here, the ultimate magic happens, for when one falls into a pool, they
gain the form of whatever being first drowned in it.  If one cannot deal
with it, one can go mad.  Fortunately, the condition is temporarily
reversible for those who cannot fully adapt, but for those who do adapt,
such reversal is hardly necessary.
	"For myself, I find it to be the most wondrous gift of all.  I have
come to realise that Jusenkyo, for the right person, is fulfilling of
destiny in a way that is hard to be denied.  If it wasn't for Jusenkyo,
I would never have confronted myself, never have found love, and
finally, probably would never have had children.  Although few would
understand, given that I was born a man, I give Kami thanks for my
husband and the son and daughter born of our union."

	Listening to Nodoka repeat this tale aloud, Ikuko was worried that the
strain of losing her husband had affected her elder sister more than she
had first believed.  "Nodoka-chan, the written statement in a book over
a hundred years old is hard to credit, much less be believed.  Magic
that could make a person a different sex?  There is no science that
could really do that.  The person who wrote it was probably delusional."
	Nodoka sighed slightly, "Ikuko-chan, I know that you do not really give
credit to the old ways, but to discount the Kami is to turn your back on
all that we were ever taught."
	Taking a sip of her coffee, Ikuko replied, "This is crazy, Nodoka.  I
know you want to keep Ranma with you, and personally, I agree with the
decision, but to so radically change your child's identity is to go
beyond what any sane person would do.  Could you really live with
yourself if you ruin Ranma's life and future happiness?"
	Nodoka chest tightened as she thought of that.  "I would prefer to have
my child alive than dead because of some training accident.  If she is
brought up right, Ranma could live a full and happy life, even if this
tale isn't true."
	Ikuko frowned at what her sister said.  "You've already decided on
this, haven't you?"
	Keeping an absolutely calm expression, Nodoka nodded.  "Yes, at least
it has almost been determined.  There is only one last requirement to
check on, and if things work out right, then my daughter will remain my
daughter."
	Ikuko grimaced a bit, but then her thoughts turned to the sight of
Genma being impaled upon a stake.  The idea that her nephew could also
end up in such a fashion frightened her very much.  "I will help you
oneechan.  However much it takes, whatever it takes, I will help my
niece to make any adjustments that she must make.  You have my promise."
	Nodoka allowed a small smile to come onto her face.  "Thank-you
imoto-chan.  Now all we have to do is think of a new name for her."

***

	"Dear, you have a phone call."  Tendo Akane said quietly to her husband
from the door to the family's Dojo.
	Soun looked up to his wife and smiled.  Even after these past twelve
years, she could still make him feel like a giddy teenager.  He found
himself fortunate that his father had engaged him to her, and that the
match had been so good.  Even though he had only met his wife a few
months before they married, he had immediately felt that he had known
her all his life.  "Coming dear.  I just want to make sure that Kaneda
will keep up his practice."
	He turned back to the young boy in the centre of the dojo who happened
to be the only student at the time.  "You will practice while I'm on the
phone, won't you."
	Kaneda already had a great big smile on his face, "Of course father. 
What else d'ya expect me to do?"
	Chuckling a bit, Soun bowed to the centre of the Dojo and left,
following his wife back inside the house.  "So, who is it?"
	Smiling at her husband, Akane replied, "It's Nodoka, and she said that
she has news about Genma."
	An even bigger grin came to her husband's face as he heard that.  She
knew that he had a close bond to the rather stocky man, but the way he
immediately started acting like a teenager at even the mention of
Genma's name went beyond the bond of brothers.  "You're hoping he will
stop here aren't you?"
	Soun voice was full of emotion.  "I more than hope for that,
Akane-chan.  I am hoping to meet his little boy.  From what he told me
before he left on that training trip last year, the boy may be a match
for Kaneda.  I'm hoping that they could spar together, and perhaps learn
from each other."
	Soun lifted up the phone, "Hello Nodoka-chan, It is so good to hear
from you."
	"It is good to talk to you as well, Soun-kun.  I am afraid this is not
a social call however."
	Soun frowned at both the words and the tone of voice that Nodoka had
used.  "What is wrong?"
	Nodoka took a deep breath before continuing.  "I am sorry to inform you
that my husband has died.  I am afraid it is now up to you to train an
heir for the school."
	Soun's sudden intake of breath was audible throughout the house, and he
attempted to keep his emotions in check.  "And Ranma?  Is he all right?"
	Nodoka's slightly puzzled voice came back over the phone.  "Ranma?  Who
is Ranma?"
	He was puzzled at that, "I thought you had a son named Ranma?"
	"I have a daughter named Ranko.  She had left with Genma on his
training journey, and she is safe."
	Soun felt relief that the child was safe, but he was puzzled even
more.  "I thought Genma said he had a son."
	"We were hoping to have a son one day, especially because of the pledge
between our families, but we were not fortunate to have one."  Nodoka
replied, "Perhaps we should discuss this.  My daughter and I are
currently staying with my sister in Juuban, and it would be a good time
for you to take all of Genma's books into your possession."
	"My wife and I will arrive tomorrow, Nodoka-chan.  I wish to offer my
deepest condolences to you."
	"My thanks to you.  I have one request to make however.  It is that you
do not reveal that Genma is dead to Ranko.  We are keeping her away from
the truth as long as possible."
	"This I will do."  Soun promised and then hung up the phone stunned. 
It was then that he finally allowed the emotions that he had kept in
check to flow.  His best friend, his companion in training and of his
youth, his brother, was dead.  Nothing in the world would ever be the
same again.

***

	"It is fully decided."  Nodoka said to her sister as she hung up the
phone.
	Ikuko released the breath that she hadn't even realised that she was
holding.  "Then Ranko will be staying with you from now on?"
	Smiling widely, Nodoka said, "Yes.  Now we have to go shopping and buy
her some clothes, a kimono, and get her out of those martial arts
outfits."
	Ikuko smiled.  "Well, I already have her measurements.  One thing
oneechan.  I _know_ you are traditional, but it would be better if her
clothing was a bit more modern."
	The smile on the elder woman's face changed to gentle teasing, "You
believe that I would not know how to choose appropriate clothing for
Ranko?"
	Ikuko rolled her eyes as she looked at the very traditional kimono that
Nodoka wore and compared it to the simple blouse and skirt that she
wore.  "I'm coming shopping with you.  If I left it to you, my niece
would end up with twenty kimonos, several yukata, and her school
uniforms.  It's the twentieth century for crying out loud."
	Nodoka giggled a bit, "OK, I agree imoto.  We'll take her shopping this
afternoon."
	She then smirked as she took a sip of coffee.  "I still insist on
getting a few kimonos for her however."

***

	Ranko's first shopping trip for clothes was not going as well as her
mother and aunt had first hoped.
	The first part had been to explain to her that she was really a girl,
and that her actual name was Ranko, not Ranma.  It had taken over an
hour to properly satisfy the young girl's curiosity as to why she had
been told that she was a boy before, and had been responding to a
different name.  The next thing to do was to get her dressed.
	After being given a bath,  Nodoka had taken the time to dress her
daughter properly.  There were a few problems with the stockings, and
Ranko had complained that they were a bit uncomfortable, but her mother
did get her into them.  The dress, however, was another matter.
	It wasn't the dress itself that was the problem, or the fact that Ranko
had trouble putting it on, it was that she was so active.  She wanted to
run around, jump, and do other things that little girls in dresses
definitely did not do.  When the adults had left her to play outside for
a few minutes while they locked up the house, Ranko had taken that time
to climb a tree, dirtying the front of her clothes, and that encouraged
Usagi, who had followed her cousin outside, to also try to climb the
tree as well.
	"Ranko, get down here right now!"  Nodoka called out worriedly to her
daughter.  The mere thought that she was climbing as she was, involving
her young cousin, scared her.  There was _no_ way she was going to let
her daughter die as Genma had.
	Ranko calmly let herself fall off of the tree branch and landed on the
ground, where Nodoka immediately ran and made sure that her child was
safe.  She wasn't sure why her mother was acting the way she was,
especially since her father had allowed her to do this sort of thing all
the time before he left.  "What's wrong, Haha?"
	Nodoka merely sighed with relief that her daughter was OK.  "Ranko, you
shouldn't do that while wearing a dress, take a look at the mess you
made to the front of yours."
	Ranko looked down at herself and noticed that a couple of the bows were
pulled out, and that there was some bark clinging on to it here and
there.  She looked back at her mother, "Sorry.  I didn't know."
	As her husband shook his head at the antics, Ikuko looked up from where
she was straightening Usagi's dress, "I think you're going to have to
get her some sturdy play clothes.  Nice dresses such as these are not
going to last long."
	Nodoka nodded her agreement as Kenji mumbled to himself.  While the
children hadn't heard him, being too concerned with getting into the
car, his wife and sister-in-law clearly did.  "Why 'she' should be
wearing dresses in the first place is beyond me."
	He spent the next week sleeping in the living room for that comment.

***

	Soun adjusted the suit that he was wearing, unused to such clothing. 
The usual clothing that he preferred, that of a simple GI, had been
replaced by the insistence of his wife.  He just wished that the tie he
was wearing was more comfortable, especially since his instincts were to
rip it off as if someone was trying to strangle him.
	Kaneda, he felt, was lucky as all he had to wear was a pants and shirt
without a tie.
	"Calm down, Soun-chan.  We're nearly there and it would not be good for
you to visit while squirming around like a trapped eel."  Akane told her
husband as they approached the house.  It had been a while since she had
last seen Nodoka, and she missed the smile of her friend.
	But she knew something was wrong.
	Soun might have fallen for the explanation Nodoka gave him over the
phone, but Akane had been with Nodoka when she had changed Ranma's
diapers.  Ranma was definitely a boy.  Why she would so blatantly claim
that Ranma's name was Ranko, and that he was a girl would have to be
dealt with.  If Genma's death had affected her in this manner, then
could she really be left alone with the child?
	She had to get a chance to talk to Nodoka privately, and find out what
the situation really was.
	"Ano...before we go in, perhaps it would be better to let me speak with
Nodoka while you examine Genma's books, at least for now.  I know that I
would be very shaken if you had...gone, and I want to make sure she is
OK."
	Soun looked over at his wife, sighed silently to himself, and said,
"You're right.  I did want to know what happened, but I guess I should
do a quick cataloguing of all his books and scrolls, especially those of
the Hidden Schools.  Although he didn't seem much for reading, Genma's
collection was one of the largest outside of the temples."
	Akane smiled, "Thank you, dear."

***

	After they had arrived, Kaneda was asked if he wanted to play outside
with the girls.  Shifting his shoulders a bit, he went outside only to
be run into by a girl his own age who was running from two younger
girls.  Glaring up at her, he said, "Watch where you're going."
	Ranko looked at the boy she just knocked down as Usagi and Naru came
running up.  "Sorry.  I didn't see you there.  Do you want to play tag
with us?"
	Kaneda continued to glare at the girl as he got up, still angry.  "Play
tag with a girl?  You aren't going to be any good at it."
	Ranko looked back at him, "Are you saying that I'm not able to tag
you?"
	Usagi looked up at the two older children, noticing that they were
getting angry at each other.  She didn't want to see a fight, but she
also wasn't going to let someone say that her elder sister wasn't good
at things.  She had seen what Ranko was able to do.  "Neechan is good at
playing tag.  She can do anything!"
	Naru, who was visiting with her best friend from school, nodded, also
having seen some of the things that Usagi's sister could do.
	Kaneda looked at all three girls.  If it had been the younger ones, or
just the older one, he would have let it go.  As it was, his pride was
hurt, especially since he was a martial artist.  No girl was going to be
able to beat him!  "Ha.  I can do Martial Arts, and playing tag is
simple compared to that."
	Ranko glowered back at the rude boy!  If this was how they were, she
wasn't going to come near them or have anything to do with them!  Was
this how she acted when she thought she was a boy?  No way had she ever
been that rude or arrogant!  "Oh yeah?  Well, I bet I can beat you in
Martial Arts!"

***

	Kaneda suddenly sputtered, stopping Ranko's narrative.  He instantly
looked at her carefully, studying her face, and trying to imagine how
she would have looked like ten years before.  It wasn't very hard to
picture.
	"You mean that girl was you?!?"

***

Ichinohei Hitomi
"The beginnings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."