Okay, no flames for this chapter, but all other comments are welcome. 
With only two more chapters left to go I'm almost to the end and I'm
doing my best to make sure it's at least a bit of surprise. I know some
people may be unhappy with parts of this chapter, but Ranma's in a very
stressful position. 

Disclaimer:   The characters and situations of Ranma 1/2 are owned by
Rumiko Takahashi and are used in this fanfic without permission.  That
doesn't really surprise anyone though does it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7:
       Ukyo sat in her restaurant, and wondered how everyone could
believe something like that about her.  Admittedly, she often wore a
boy's uniform and she had kissed Ranma when he was a girl.  People
shouldn't be so influenced by appearances though.  The really surprising
thing had been the number of girls that had quietly approached her
afterward.  Ukyo smiled grimly, Yuka was sort of cute, but finding out
that one of Akane's friends was like that...  Just how close were she
and Akane?  As far as Ukyo was concerned the one consolation was that
things couldn't get much worse.
     The sound of someone entering the restaurant drew Ukyo from her
brooding.  "Go away!  We're closed!"
     "Nay, I shall not abandon you in your time of need," a sonorous
voice replied.
     "Kuno!  What are you doing here?"
     "I have come to proclaim my love for you, my goddess of
okonomiyaki.  Though the diabolical wiles of the cur Hibiki have
driven you to seek comfort with your own gender, I shall restore your
heart to its true course."
     "Listen Kuno, Ranma is the only one for me.  I don't like girls."
     "This is not so.  With mine own eyes I beheld you embrace the
pig-tailed girl most passionately."
     Ukyo drew a deep breath in, and wondered how to proceed.  "You
idiot.  Ranma is the pig-tailed girl.  He's under a curse and Ryoga is
taking advantage of him."  That should do it, she thought, it's strange
that no one explained things to him before.
     Kuno's mouth worked noiselessly for a moment.  Then he found his
voice and spoke. "This does explain much that I have seen.  However, you
are mistaken in one particular."
     "What is it?"
     "The pig-tailed girl's true form is female.  Doubtless, the
sorcerer cursed her to conceal her from those who might deliver her from
his evil.  Now that he has returned to claim her, he has lifted the
curse."
     Ukyo had been shocked into immobility during Kuno's speech.
Shaking off the effects, she grabbed her spatula, and bludgeoned him
into unconsciousness.  "At least I know why no one ever explained things
to him," she reflected.

=======================

     Kasumi paused to calm herself and review her plan.  Ranma had just
finished sparring with Ryoga, so he'd be in the furo.  If she acted
swiftly, she could ensure that Nodoka saw evidence of her son's
manliness.  There was a chance that she'd have to marry Ranma.
Resolving the situation was worth that risk though.  "Auntie, I'm going
to bathe.  Do you want to join me?" Kasumi called.
     "Yes.  I'll be just a minute."
     Her plan set into motion, Kasumi stepped into the changing room and
quickly stripped.  Bracing herself, she then entered the furo proper.
"You must have forgotten to put the occupied sign up, Ran..."  Kasumi
stopped in amazement and horror as she caught sight of the petite girl
sitting in the furo.
     "I'm sorry, Kasumi.  I was just finishing, so I'll leave," Ranma
said, rising to her feet.
     "N-no, you don't need to do that."  As she spoke, Kasumi dipped one
hand into the furo, to confirm that the water was still warm.
     "Don't worry.  It's really no problem."  Ranma sat down abruptly,
as Nodoka entered the furo.
     "Ranko, how delightful.  We can all bathe together."
     Ranma remained seated in the furo, blushing and staring at some
imaginary spot, as Nodoka and Kasumi rinsed off.

====================

     Ryoga was just preparing for bed when he heard a tentative knock on
the door.  "Come on in," he called.
     The door opened briefly and Ranma slipped into the room.
      Ryoga appeared faintly surprised by this.  "I hope this isn't
going to involve a repeat of last time."
      "No, I just want to talk for a minute."
      "Something's wrong isn't it?'
      " No.  Well, not anything new.  Kasumi and my Mom walked in on me
in the bath tonight."
      Ryoga's brow furrowed in confusion.  "But then she'd know."
      "No.  Remember the water proof soap."  When Ryoga nodded at the
mention of that near cure, Ranma continued.  "I've still got it, and
I've started using it."
      "You've what?  In your cursed form?"
      "Yes.  It's easier to avoid hot water, but I need the added
safety.  There's no way I can let Mom find out about my curse, now.  I
should probably tell Kasumi about this.  She looked a little upset."
      "So what are you going to do?  Spend the rest of your life as a
girl?"
      "I'm, um, I'm considering it.  The only other choice I've got is
looking for a cure."
      "So, head for Jusenkyo.  I'll go with you myself.
      "It's not that easy," Ranma said angrily.  "It wouldn't be much of
a curse if the cure was only a hundred yards away."
      "But, it's got to work.  If there isn't a curse at Jusenkyo...,"
Ryoga protested.
      "You have no idea where to look," Ranma finished for him.  "Why do
you think I never went back there.  If I had some Jusenkyo water here
I'd try it, but I couldn't stand going all the way to China just to have
my only hope crushed."
      "You could still look for a cure.  There has to be one somewhere."

      "Does there?  Besides, it would take to long.  Without money, just
getting back to Jusenkyo would take weeks.  Everyone I care about is
here, in Nerima.  I don't want to spend years wandering around looking
for a cure."
      "I can understand that, I guess."
      "There's one more thing we need to talk about.  If I am a girl
permanently, what about us?"
      "What are you saying, Ranma?"
      "I meant what I told Ukyo.  There's just something about two girls
together that seems wrong to me."
      " I'm not sure about this."
      "You think I am?  I don't even know if I can stand being a girl
much longer.  But, the way things are going, I'm going to have to
consider it sooner or later."   Ranma looked deeply uncomfortable as she
continued.  "Could you at least think about it.?"
      Ryoga looked at Ranma.  She was wearing a set of girl's pajamas,
probably borrowed from Akane, since they were somewhat decent.  It was,
Ryoga reflected getting hard to remember that Ranma was really a guy.
"I'll try.  No promises though," Ryoga said dubiously.
      "I can't make any promises either.  I'll see you tomorrow."

====================

      "Shampoo, where are you going?"
      "Shampoo go see Ranma, Great-grandmother."
      "Very well.  Be sure to return in time for the supper rush."
      Shampoo bounded away in a hurry.  She did plan to see Ranma, but
she had other business to attend to first.  Further back in the
restaurant, Mousse clenched his fists angrily.  Even he'd heard the
rumors about Ranma and he couldn't believe that Shampoo would prefer
someone like that over a real man, such as himself.
     When Cologne observed Mousse following Shampoo, she shook her head
wearily.  It was going to be a real procession, but someone had to keep
an eye on things.

====================

     Ukyo hated to admit it, but she needed help and there was only one
person she could trust to supply it.  "Akane, can I talk to you."
     "Of course you can.  I see you've started wearing a boy's uniform
again."
     "The girl's uniform just didn't seem to work out for me.  Anyway,
I'd like to talk about Ranma."
     "All right."  Akane shifted uncomfortably.  Usually, she and Ukyo
got along quite well.  However, there was one topic that was almost
guaranteed to bring things to a boil.
     "Viol-  Akane, Ukyo, Shampoo need to talk."
     Akane silently wished that she'd been training harder.  This didn't
look like it was going to be a peaceful day.
     Ukyo's reaction was more belligerent, she moved forward to confront
Shampoo.  "Oh, really.  Is there anything in particular?'
      Shampoo  started to reply, but was interrupted, by Mousse's sudden
arrival.  "How can you love someone like him!" he shouted, pointing at
Ukyo.  "Everyone knows that Ranma prefers being a girl."
     "What?" Akane exclaimed.
     "You're wrong.  Shampoo will prove that Ranma is ten times the man
you are, Mousse."  Saying this she embraced Ukyo and gave her a lengthy
kiss.   Releasing Ukyo, Shampoo took a step backwards.  "There, you
see," she said to Mousse.
     Akane thought that she must be getting used to this sort of thing.
At least, this time she hadn't fainted.
     Freed, Ukyo stood briefly motionless, and then began to turn an
alarming shade of red.  When Ukyo's fist crashed into the side of her
face, Shampoo was completely unprepared and collapsed like a marionette
with it's strings cut.
     "Saotome, you will die!"  As Mousse started towards Ukyo, long
curved blades sprouted from the sleeve's of his robe as if by magic.
     Ukyo barely managed to duck the first slash and was backpedalling
desperately when Mousse suddenly collapsed.  As his form sank to the
ground, Cologne was revealed behind him, balancing on her staff.
     "Miss Kuonji, I suggest you leave now.  I will deal with matters
once they awaken."
     "Yeah, you're probably right.  I still want to talk with you,
Akane."
     "I can walk with you for a while."  Ukyo and Akane walked off,
leaving the school yard and the Amazons behind.  "Ukyo, what did Mousse
mean about Ranma?"
     Ukyo was visibly surprised by Akane's question.  "You mean you
don't know?  The way that Ranma's been coming to school as a girl and
hanging around with Ryoga, everyone thinks that they're an item."
     "What! That's insane!"  Akane suddenly realized something.  "That's
why you've been acting so strange, isn't it?"
     "You mean they aren't dating?"  Ukyo's expression was both amazed
and delighted.
     "Of course they aren't.  Ranma's just pretending to be a girl
because of some stupid promise Genma made to his mother.  If Ranma isn't
a man among men, they both have to commit seppuku."
     "That's great!'  Rethinking things, Ukyo amended her statement.
"Well not great, but at least Ranma doesn't think he's a girl.  I feel
sort of silly...  Oh no!  I've completely humiliated myself."
     "Well, crawling into Ranma's room, naked, didn't help anyone else
either.  Ranma's mother was really surprised to find out that Ranko was
sleeping in the same room as her boyfriend."
     "Hold it! Ranma's mother? Ranko?"
     "Ranma's pretending to be Ranko Tendo, my cousin.  His mother's
staying with us for a while."
     "You mean, she saw that!"  Ukyo felt herself beginning to grow
faint.
     "Yes she did.  You know, I don't think we should tell Ranma about
what people are saying about him and Ryoga.  He's already under a lot of
stress and if he finds out, he'll probably do something really stupid."
     "I sure won't be the one to tell him, but he'll find out sooner or
later.  There're these posters about Ryoga fighting a duel with some guy
over him."
     "Mikado Sanzenin?"
     "I think that's the name.  Anyway, the posters are everywhere."
     "Great.  He's an even bigger pervert than Kuno.  We'll talk some
more later, Ukyo.  I have to get home now."

====================

       "Shampoo, why did you give the Kuonji girl the kiss of marriage?"

       "Shampoo trying to get rid of Mousse."
       "Well, what's done is done.  I have to say that things would be a
lot less complicated if she hadn't defeated you in combat."
       "Spatula girl not beat Shampoo.  She just lucky."
       "You know the law doesn't accept excuses," Cologne said
disapprovingly.  "You nominated her for acceptance into the tribe, and
because she defeated you I have no choice but to allow it."
       "Shampoo have to marry Spatula girl instead of Ranma?"  It was
obvious from her expression that the amazon warrior didn't care for the
idea.
       "Not quite.  As I recall she's also been defeated by Ranma.  The
situation has never come up before, but I'm sure you can both marry
him."
       "Shampoo want what honored ancestors were smoking when they wrote
laws."  There really wasn't much for either amazon to say after that.

======================

      "Ranma, look.  P-chan's back.  I found him in the hall outside."
      Ranma stared at the small black pig nestled in Akane's arms.  For
some reason, the animal seemed to be embarrassed by the scrutiny.
Ranma couldn't believe that Ryoga would try something like this.  He'd
promised that P-chan wouldn't make any appearances while he was staying
with the Tendos.  Ranma blinked when P-chan hopped off Akane's bed and
made his way over to her.
      "Wow.  You and P-chan usually don't get along this well.  I wonder
why that's changed."
      Both Ranma and P-chan began to sweat slightly.
      "I know!"  Akane missed P-chan darting behind Ranma to hide.
"P-chan must only like girls.  You must smell different now, Ranma."
      Ranma and P-chan exchanged a skeptical glance.  "You're probably
right, Akane. I'm going to go to bed now.  Good night."

====================

      Ranma awoke slowly in the morning.  Gradually she became aware of
something warm clutched in her arms.  opening her eyes she saw a
peacefully sleeping pig.  The sight brought back memories of the
previous night.  Ryoga had gotten splashed somehow and Akane had found
P-chan wandering around.  Taking care to move silently, Ranma arose and
slipped out of Akane's room.
     "Wake up, Ryoga.  We've got to get you changed back before everyone
else wakes up."  Listening carefully, Ranma could detect movement
downstairs.  She decided that it was probably Kasumi and Nodoka getting
an early start on the day.
     Carefully checking to make sure no one was in sight, Ranma entered
the furo and dunked P-chan in the warm water.   "All right, Ryoga.  How
did you get splashed inside the house."
     "I didn't.  I accidentally walked into the wrong room and Nabiki
threw me out her window, into the koi pond."
     "Nabiki?  I didn't know she practiced martial arts."
     "With Happosai around, I think all the girls do."
     "Yeah.  Remember that mess with the Japanese Naniichuan.  The
girls' locker room was an armed camp."  Ranma chuckled at the memory.
"You stay here.  I'll go get you some clothes."

===================

     "Ranko, I've been wanting to talk to you."
     "Sorry, Auntie Saotome, Ryoga and I are going rollerblading now."
     "That's something I've been wondering about.  You do that
everyday.  It's almost like you don't want to be in the same house as
me."
     "It's nothing like that.  Ryoga's been challenged to a martial arts
rollerblading duel and he's training."
     "Well can't he train some other time?"
     "The duel is tomorrow."
     "Really?  You should have told me sooner."
     "She was probably just embarrassed Auntie Saotome.  According to
the posters I've seen, the duel is over her."
     "Thanks for mentioning that, Nabiki," Ranma growled.
     "Anytime, Ranko."  With a smile Nabiki sauntered back out of the
room.
     "Is this true?"  When Ranma nodded, Nodoka smiled happily.  "How
manly of him.  I'm sure Soun will be happy.  At first he opposed you
and Ryoga marrying, but he's started to come around to my viewpoint."
     "He has?  Maybe I should stay home.  I'm sure Akane and Ryoga can
manage on their own, and I think we do need to talk."

=======================

     "Waah!"
     "Dad, are you all right?"
     "Oh you're home, Akane.  He's just a little upset the Ranko doesn't
want to get married."  Nodoka gazed disapprovingly at the crying
patriarch.   "She says that she doesn't want to rush into anything and
that both she and Ryoga should finish school before they even consider
it."
     Akane's head whirled a she considered what Ranma might have meant.
Ranma would never marry Ryoga, but was he just trying to avoid that or
was there some deeper meaning?  Could Ranma be thinking about marrying
her?  Akane shook herself, this wasn't the time to be thinking like
that.
      "That reminds me.  Ryoga got a gift for Ranko."  Akane looked
around puzzled.  "Where is he?  I thought that he came in with me."
     "You go find him and I'll get Ranko.  I can't wait to see her face
when she sees this gift."

====================

     "Auntie Saotome, said that you had a gift for me, Ryoga."
     "Um, yeah.  Here it is."  Ryoga handed a box to Ranma, but he also
seemed to be slightly embarrassed by the whole thing.
     Ranma tore open the box to reveal a set of red and black Chinese
clothing, similar to what she usually wore.  It was slightly smaller,
though, and definitely tailored to fit Ranma's female form.
    "Clothes?"
    "Yes.  Akane helped me pick it out.  The outfits that you have now
are nice, but they aren't really your style."
    "I think I know what you mean," Ranma said, glancing down at the
tight sweater and miniskirt she was wearing.  "I'll go try them on now."

     "Ryoga certainly is considerate," commented Nodoka.
     "Ha ha.  Yes, this is a very positive sign in their relationship."
     As Akane stared at her father with appalled eyes and wondered if
the insanity was hereditary, a panda entered the room, waving a sign.
#Isn't young love wonderful?#
     "Soun, I didn't see Mr. Panda much today.  Do you know where he
was?"
     "Probably at his new job."
     "He has a job?"
     #Children's parties.  They pay well.#
     "I suppose that makes sense."

End Chapter 7

Postscript:  Why doesn't Ranma just go to Jusenkyo?  It's never actually
stated in the manga that the naniichuan would cure his curse and Ranma
has no way of being sure that it would.  Since Jusenkyo is about 2000
kms (approx. 1250 miles) inland it's no wonder he hesitates.  Ranma
didn't exactly have the best luck the last time he was in China.