Hey all,
Here's the first part of the first idea I'm purging from my head so I can
work on What Price Love some more.  This purging problem has taken a lot
longer than I thought.  Who would have thought that I could only write well
while listening to Steely Dan.  Of course it took all four Ranma CDs, an
Eva CD, and AMG CD, my Darkstalkers CD, Metallica and Rush before I came to
Steely Dan.  Oh well, at least now I can write more than a paragraph at a
time.

As always C&C is greatly appreciated.  Flames will be laughed at, forwarded
to Satan then deleted.  Oh yes, before you all tell me I got the battle
with Herb wrong, I already know that.  I changed a lot of the details with
that storyline to fit my idea better.  Consider this a 'what if?' type
story.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal Disclaimer:  All characters and places portrayed herein
are property of Rumiko Takahashi.  No copyright infringement is
intended.  Please don't sue me.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:  "Japanese"
                [Thoughts]
        <Panda Signs>
------------------------------------------------------------------
Forever Female
A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
by: Jon Osborne

Chapter 1
    Leaning on the rail of the boat, the redhead stared towards the Tokyo
harbor.  She was wearing a sleeveless, red chinese-style shirt and black
pants.  Her hair was tied back tightly into an intricate pigtail.  It was
so tight, it curled up, instead of hanging down.  As the boat was pulling
into the harbor, Ranma-chan began to think back to the events leading up to
this.


    About six weeks ago Ranma discovered both Ryoga and Mousse beat up
outside the Neko Hanten.  He went in to investigate and found three strange
Chinese men talking to Cologne.  When they saw Ranma, they turned and
started attacking him, the leader, Herb, saying something about abusing the
gifts of Jusenkyo.  Ranma was no match for the three of them combined and
was soon overpowered.
    Herb then pulled out a strange looking bucket with a ladle and splashed
Ranma with the water from the bucket.  He laughed as Ranma changed and
said, "If you want a rematch and the cure little girl, then you can find me
at Jusenkyo." With that, Ranma-chan blacked out.
    When she awoke, the three strangers were gone.  Unglomping Shanmpoo,
who had attatched herself to Ranma-chan after she blacked out, she went
back to the Tendo Dojo and straight to the bathroom.  She stripped and
threw her clothes into the hamper, then entered the bath.  While the bath
was filling with hot water, she doused herself with a bucket of cold water
and soaped up.  After another cold rinse, she eased into the full tub.  She
sighed in contentment as the warm water engulfed her, sending warmth up her
legs, to her stomach, and across her breasts.  <Wait a minute!>  she
thought, confused.  <Warm water on my BREASTS!?  I'm a guy in warm water!> 
She looked down, and sure enough she was still a girl.  She let out a
blood-curdling cry "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


    Akane approached Ranma and placed an arm around her shoulder.  "C'mon
Ranma.  The boat's docked, we're home again."
    Ranma allowed herself to be led off the boat and onto the train that
would take them back to Nerima.
    Ranma sighed as she thought about Akane.  <Oh Akane!  I l-l-love you so
much.  I was so blind to it before.  Only now that it's too late for the
two of us together do I realize how much I l-l-love you.  You've been so
supportive of me, even though this must be tearing you up inside as much as
it is me.>  Again Ranma's thoughts wandered back to the recent past.


    Akane rushed into the bathroom.  "Ranma what's wrong!?"  Seeing
Ranma-chan in the obviously hot water, she let out an "Oh my!" that Kasumi
would be proud of.  "Ranma what's going on?  Why are you still a girl?"
    Ranma leapt out of the furo and quickly dressed, talking all the while.
 "I don't know Akane, but I'll bet the old ghoul does.  She probably did
this to me to try and get me to marry Shampoo, like with the Full-Body
Cat's Tongue.  I'm gonna get the cure from her even if it kills me."
    "Well I'm going too Ranma, she has no right doing this to you."
    The two raced to the Neko-hanten and burst through the door.
    "Cologne!  Where are you!  Come out and face me ya old ghoul!"
    "There's no need to shout son-in-law," replied Cologne as she pogoed
out of the Neko-hanten's kitchen.
    "I want the cure to whatever it is you did to me and I want it now!"
    "What are you talking about son-in-law?"
    "You know what I'm talking about.  I'm stuck in this body again.  Hot
water doesn't change me back."
    "Aaahhh...Now I understand.  What has happened to you is none of my
doing.  This is the effect of the chiisuiton ladle."
    "The what?"
    "The chiisuiton ladle. It is a magic ladle that affects Jyusenkyo
curses.  Anyone with a Jyusenkyo curse who is splashed with water from the
ladle is permanently locked in their cursed form."
    At Cologne's words, Ranma sagged against Akane and sputtered weakly
"p-p-permanently l-l-locked..."
    Akane looked at Cologne desperately.  "Isn't there a cure?"
    "Possibly.  The three martial-artists you fought here son-in-law were
also looking for the cure.  They are members of the Chinese Musk Dynasty. 
Long ago, the Musk Dynasty formed a peace agreement with the Joketsuzoku. 
SInce we would not provide them with women to marry, unless they defeated
them in combat, they created the chiisuiton to use with the Spring of
Drowned Girl to turn animals into marriagable women.  But, they also
realized that the chiisuiton might be misused.  So, they created a counter
to the chiisuiton, the kaisui-fu.  The kaisui-fu would reverse the effects
of the chiisuiton, allowing a Jyusenkyo victim to change forms, but not
cure the Jyusenkyo curse.  As part of the peace agreement between the
Amazons and the Musk, the kaisui-fu was given to the Amazons for
safekeeping."
    "So we can go to the Amazon village and get the kaisui-fu to change
Ranma back," reasoned Akane.  "So what are we waiting for!"  Akane turned
to leave but was halted by Cologne.
    "Wait!  It is not so easy as that Tendo Akane.  The Joketsuzoku no
longer have the kaisui-fu.  It was stolen from us several hundred years
ago.  It's current whereabouts are unknown, but it is still thought to be
near the Musk and Joketsuzoku.
    "I will tell you what I told Herb of the Musk.  The Amazon elders
believe it was stolen by a potential bride of the Musk.  Before she was a
woman she had been a fox.  In human form she had all the intelligence and
wiles that foxes are known for.  We believe she learned of the kaisui-fu
from one of her potential husbands.  We also believe she tricked her way
out of captivity in the Musk stronghold and made her way to the
Joketsuzoku.  She lured the guards away from the kaisui-fu and ran off with
it.  Most likely she used it to become a fox again, and just left it where
it fell after her transformation.  Which means it is probably somewhere in
the Bayankala mountain range near Jyusenkyo."
    "Why are you helping us?" Akane asked.
    "Because Ranma can't very well marry Shampoo if he's stuck as a she for
the rest of his life."


    Ukyo sat down next to Akane and the two girls watched Ranma for any
more signs of life.  When it was obvious that Ranma was going to do nothing
but sit there, Akane sighed.  Ukyo squeezed her shoulder in a sign of
support.  "It's OK sugar.  Once Ranchan gets over the shock, she'll be
alright."
    "I know; it's just that Ranma has been this way ever since the fight."
    <Man, listen to them, talking like I don't even exist, even though I'm
sitting right across from them.  Oh...the fight.>  Ranma dropped her head
in her hands and let out a little sob.


    Ranma had followed Herb, Lime and Mint to China taking Akane and Ukyo
with her because they had nothing to fear from the chiisuiton.  They had
found the three just outside of Jyusenkyo, with Herb about to use the
kaisui-fu on himself to unlock his curse.  Ranma immediately attacked Herb,
keeping him from using the bucket right away.  Akane and Ukyo engaged Lime
and Mint to keep tem from triple-teaming Ranma.
    Ranma and Herb's fight quickly turned into an elaborate match of
keep-away.  As they became more and more engrossed over the kaisui-fu, they
failed to notice that they were descending into the Jyusenkyo valley.
    Hearing the commotion, the Guide came out of his hut.  He quickly
assessed the situation and said, in his sternest voice, "Is very bad you
mix magics.  If enchanted bucket come in contact with Jyusenkyo springs
then I no can predict what happen."
    At the Guide's words, Herb paused to listen, but Ranma, being trained
by Genma, ignored the Guide and pressed the attack.  With a shout of "HA!"
Ranma kicked the bucket out of Herb's hand.  It flew straight for one of
the springs.
    "Oh no!  That is Spring of Drowned Man, no telling what happen when two
magics collide," shouted the Guide.
    The three could only watch as the kaisui-fu fell towards the spring. 
When the bucket hit the spring, a flash of light, immediately followed by a
large explosion blinded, deafened and knocked over the three people in the
valley.  When they could see again, the Spring of Drowned Man was nothing
but a smoking crater and the kaisui-fu was nowhere to be seen.
    "Gone!  All hope of a cure gone!" Ranma screamed out in anguish, then
passed out.


    "Ranchan wake up.  We're back in Nerima.  Time to get off the train."
    Ranma woke and stood, allowing Ukyo and Akane to lead her off the train
and back to the dojo.
    As they passed by The Ucchan's, Ukyo said her goodbyes.  "I really need
to get back to the restaurant.  I'll come by later Ranchan to see how
you're doing."
    Ranma didn't acknowledge that she'd heard anything Ukyo said.  She just
kept plodding on towards the dojo.  Akane gave Ukyo an apologetic look and
jogged to catch up with Ranma.
    "That wasn't very polite Ranma!  You could have at least said something
to Ukyo instead of just ignoring her.  Are you even paying attention to
me?"
    "We're back," was Ranma's only reply.
    "We're home!" called out Akane as they entered the compound.
    "So son!  You found a cure and are a man once more!" boomed out Genma's
voice as the family came to the front of the house.  They all stopped short
at the sight of a very weary Akane leading a downcast, female Ranma.
    "Ah, son, you're still a girl," Genma remarked less than intelligently.
    Too quickly for the still surprised Genma to react, Ranma was by his
side, her hands gripping his gi.  With a mighty heave she propelled him
into the koi pond.  "And you're still a panda ya stupid old man!"  Ranma
screamed as Genma-panda surfaced.
    With a wail, Soun cried out, "Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!  Now our schools will
never be joined!"
    Ranma stared hard at Soun.  "Put a sock in it old man!  You're just as
bad as pop!"
    Nabiki opened her mouth to say something derogatory towards Ranma, but
closed it.  She found herself unable to after seeing the pain, sadness and
utter self-loathing in her gaze.
    Kasumi reached out a comforting hand.  "Ranma..."
    But Ranma just brushed by them all and up the stairs with a muffled sob
audible only to the two Tendo sisters.


    Akane silently slid open the door to the guest room.  She peeked inside
and saw Ranma lying on her stomach, muffled sobs and sniffles coming from
her.
    "R...Ranma," began Akane tentatively.  "Do you feel up to talking?" 
Akane slipped the rest of the way into the room.
    "Go 'way Akane!"
    "Ranma please," Akane begged.  "I want to help."
    Ranma sat up.  "Help!  Help?   Why didn't you help me against Herb back
in China!  Maybe then I could actually be a guy, not this..." she gestured
at her body.  "This THING that I am.  This GIRL!"
    "Dammit Ranma!  Ukyo and I had our hands full with Lime and Mint.  You
and Herb were out of our league!"  Akane inched closer to Ranma.  "You
think seeing you this way doesn't hurt us either?  Dammit Ranma!  I love
you!  And I think Ukyo does too."  Akane sat down next to Ranma.  "If I
could have done any more to help I would have, but I couldn't."  Akane
began to cry, softly.
    Seeing Akane begin to cry caused Ranma to cry even harder.  She latched
onto Akane and buried her head in Akane's shoulder.
    After several minutes, Akane spoke.  "Look at us Ranma.  We're getting
as bad as my father."
    Ranma's sobs slowed and became hiccups of laughter as Akane's words
sunk in.  She pulled away slightly from Akane, her sobs and laughter dying.
 "Did you really mean it Akane?  Do you really love me?"
    "Of course I meant it stupid," replied Akane smiling.
    "I...thank you Akane.  I l-l-l-love you too."
    "Oh, Ranma."
    Seeing the love in Akane's eyes, Ranma bent forward, eyes closed, her
lips pursed for a kiss.  Akane began to lean forward, having wanted to do
this for so long, but something in her mind balked at the idea of kissing
onna-Ranma.  Akane pulled back suddenly and sighed.  Ranma opened her eyes.
    "I'm sorry Ranma, I can't do it.  I can't kiss another girl."
    Ranma stared at Akane with a mixture of horror and self-loathing in her
eyes.
    Akane dropped her head in shame.  "I'm sorry Ranma.  I really am," she
whispered.
    Ranma, a desperate hope ringing in her voice, replied, "Can we at least
be friends."
    Akane smiled sadly, "Always Ranma, always."
    Akane stood and stretched.  "I'm tired Ranma, I really need a good
nights sleep.  Thank you for talking with me."
    Ranma stood.  "Good night Akane.  See you in the moring."  Then she
hugged Akane tightly to her.


    Akane lay in bed, thinking hard.  [I love Ranma very much, but I can't
_do_ anything with Ranma if she's a female.  I'm not a lesbian.  There's
got to be a way to turn Ranma to a man again, but what?  The Guide said
nothing Jyusenkyo related could help Ranma since the kaisui-fu is gone.
    [Maybe the Water of Life from Ryugenzawa?  No...that only heals wounds,
it doesn't affect curses.]
    Akane sat up suddenly.
    [That's it!  It's a long shot, but there might be just enough.  Now,
how to get it.]
    Akane lay back down, and was soon asleep, plans already forming in her
mind.


    Ranma awoke to the sweet sound of Kasumi's voice calling her to
breakfast.  She was feeling a little better after her talk with Akane and
wanted to spend more time with her.  When she reached the breakfast table
both Akane and Genma were noticably absent.
    "Ah, Kasumi where are Akane and my pop?"
    "Oh Ranma, good to see you up.  Both Mr. Saotome and my sister left on
training trips this morning."
    Ranma's face fell a little.  "Together?"
    "No, not together.  Akane left very early this morning.  She said you
could use her room so you wouldn't have to sleep in the same room with Mr.
Saotome.  She sounded like she would be gone a long time.
    "Mr. Saotome left a couple hours later.  From Akane's earlier comment I
assumed she didn't know about Mr. Saotome leaving too."
    Ranma slumped to the ground at her place at the table, all cheerfulness
gone with Kasumi's news.  "Thans Kasumi," she replied half-heartedly.  She
fought back tears.  [Why Akane?  I thought you wanted to be friends, but
then you leave on your so-called 'training trip' the very next day.  I'd
expect that kind of behavior from pop. He was always running away from any
problems, but I thought you were better than that.]
    She only picked at her breakfast, eating very little.  Afterwards, she
went upstairs and collapsed onto Akane's bed, crying herself back to sleep.



C-Ya ='P
Jon Osborne

"That's what the Dragon wants you to think!  He doesn't want you to know he
exists!"
"Actually, I just want her to think you're nuts!"
"Oh, shut up!"
-Fone Bone and the Great Red Dragon from Jeff Smith's "Bone"