A Ranma 1/2 fanfic
What Price Love
Chapter 2: Coming Out
By: Jon Osborne
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Disclaimer: I don't know what you're talking about.
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Ranma and Akane were in Akane's bedroom. Both were clad only in bra
and panties. Ranma was sitting on Akane's bed squirming slightly at the
still unfamiliar feel of the bra, while Akane was standing in front of her
closet. On the bed beside Ranma was one of her red Chinese shirts and a
pair of her ankle-tie pants. Akane was holding a white blouse in one hand
and rifling through her clothes with the other.
"Please Ranma."
"I told ya Akane. I don't think them seeing me all girled up will help
matters. I don't mind wearing the clothes, but at this point I think it
will cause too much static, especially with our fathers."
From downstairs Kasumi called up, "Akane! Ranma! Time for breakfast."
The two dressed quickly and headed downstairs.
***
The family stared as onna-Ranma and Akane came to the table, hand in
hand and sat down. Then they noticed Ranma's hair and stared even harder,
if that were possible. The soft "Oh my!" that crossed Kasumi's lips pretty
much summed up everyone's reaction to the couple.
"Ranma," Kasumi ventured, "would you like some hot water?"
"No thank you Kasumi. That won't be necessary." Ranma replied sweetly.
The whole family face-faulted.
"On second thought," Ranma spoke up, "that would be good, yes."
Everyone recovered quickly and Kasumi went to the kitchen to get the
kettle of water she had ready. Kasumi set it in front of Ranma and
everyone watched her expectantly. Ranma just looked at it quietly for
several minutes, then turned and whispered something to Akane. She nodded
and Ranma picked up the kettle.
"Here goes." Ranma dumped the contents of the kettle over her head and
winced as the changed tried to activate, but was stopped.
Once more, everyone but Akane face-faulted.
"Wha...wha...what is the meaning of this, boy!" Genma managed to
sputter out.
"All in good time oyaji. But, first Akane needs to say something."
Taking Akane's hand in hers, Ranma gave it a squeeze and turned to
Akane, a look of encouragement on her face.
Grateful for the show of support from her fiance, Akane began. "Last
night, while everyone else was out, Ranma and I had a long talk. She
professed her love for me and admitted that she would do anything,
sacrifice anything, for me." Akane's words sparked several different
reactions. Nabiki, not having missed the use of the feminine pronoun,
raised an eyebrow and stared harder at the two girls. Kasumi smiled, happy
that the two teens had finally opened their relationship. Genma and Soun
jumped up and started doing their "happy dance" while blabbering something
about a wedding that very night.
Annoyed at the interruption, Akane stared crossly at their fathers and
yelled, "Sit down! Both of you! I'm not done yet!"
Being the cowards that they were, both men sat down, and Soun started
the waterworks, mumbling about how his baby daughter must hate him because
she yelled at him. Akane apologized, then continued her announcement.
"After I had confirmation of Ranma's feelings, I told her that I was a
lesbian."
For the third time that morning everyone face-faulted.
When everyone had recovered sufficiently, Ranma continued where Akane
had left off. "After Akane 'came out of the closet' we had another long
'discussion' in which Akane 'convinced' me to forsake my manhood so we
could be together."
"What!!! Ranma! What's wrong with you boy! Would you forsake
everything I've taught you! I taught you to be a 'man among men' and you
do this! What about my promise to your mother!"
As Genma ranted, Ranma's battle aura grew in intensity. At the mention
of her mother, Ranma let out a cry of rage and anguish, and leapt to her
feet and across the table at Genma. Faster than anyone could react, Ranma
grabbed Genma by his gi top and threw him through the open door and into
the koi pond. As Genma-panda surfaced, Ranma cried out scornfully, "Damn
you oyaji! What do you know about manhood! You're not even _human_!!!
And how _dare_ you bring mom into this! That whole promise was _your_
idea. I _love_ Akane! And if being a girl is the only way I can get her
to love me back, then I'll be a girl! This is something you have no say
in!" Turning back to the table, Ranma cried out "None of you do! Just me
an' Akane."
Akane stood and went to Ranma. Reaching out she brushed away a pair of
tears on Ranma's face and softly said, "Oh Ranma...."
With a strangled cry of rage, grief and anguish, Ranma buried her head
in Akane's shoulder as large wracking sobs were ripped out of her. Between
Ranma's sobs, Akane could hear her whispering, "Damn him! Damn him! Damn
him! Damn him!"
Genma-panda just sat in the koi pond, not sure what to do.
Soun just sat there with a blank look on his face, as shock had
completely taken over.
Kasumi looked on with concern, wanting to go to the girl and hold and
comfort her. She knew, however, that in this case, Akane was much better
suited for that.
Nabiki was looking past Ranma and Akane at Genma-panda, utter contempt
plain on her face. She had known for quite a while her little sister's
sexual persuasion, even though Akane herself hadn't realized it. After
seeing the two sleeping last night, and listening in on the conversation
the two had in the bathroom, Nabiki had finally hoped that Akane had
realized who and what she was and found someone to share that with. She
feigned surprise to blend in with the rest of the family and had silently
cheered both Ranma and Akane for having the strength of character and mind
to do what they did. She watched with growing anger at the effect Genma's
words had on Ranma. As Ranma broke down in tears on Akane's shoulder,
Nabiki made a silent promise to make Genma's life at the dojo a living hell
until he accepted his daughter's choice. Family _always_ came first, and
as far as Nabiki was concerned, Ranma was now a part of her family.
As Akane took Ranma up to her room, Kasumi cleared away the untouched
breakfast things. No one felt like eating anymore, not even Genma.
***
Outside it was just starting to grow dark. Ranma awoke to find herself
in a strange bed. Looking around, she discovered she was in Akane's room.
She sat up confused. <What am I doing in Akane's bed? The last thing I
remember was sitting at breakfast...> As Ranma perused her thoughts, the
memory of her confrontation with Genma caused her eyes to mist up. Just as
suddenly, her gaze turned hard and she began to think of ways to hurt
Genma...a lot.
Fresh with the desire to pound her father, Ranma stood and headed for
the door. As she passed the mirror over Akane's desk, she stopped and
looked at her reflection. If she saw the face looking back at her just two
days ago, she wouldn't have recognized it as her own. Gone was the usual
underlying tenseness that Ranma displayed as a girl. Now her face was calm
and relaxed, and with her hair hanging down to her ankles in a loose pony
tail, Ranma realized that she truly was a beautiful woman. Or at least,
she would be if her eyes weren't all red and puffy from crying herself to
sleep. At this point, Ranma's mind decided to rebel. <Dammit! I can't do
this! I'm a guy! Guys don't cry!>
<But guys don't wear panties and bras, or have hair down to their
ankles, either. And guys don't have breasts either. And I must say, you
have a very nice pair. You're not a guy anymore Ranma Saotome, you're a
girl. You promised Akane.>
<Akane...> but Ranma's mind continued to rebel, <...but she tricked
me. She knew what she was doing the whole time.>
<Did she, really? And even so, then so what? You always say you'll
sacrifice anything for Akane. Is this any different? Hell, Ranma, if
Akane told you you'd have to be a cat to stay by her side, you know you'd
do it. You'd do anything for Akane. That's what love is.>
<...>
<See! You know I'm right. If Akane can only love onna-Ranma, then
I'll gladly be onna-Ranma for her, just to feel my love returned.>
Her internal debate over, Ranma straightened herself and turned to the
door. <Time to find Akane. But first I need to get rid of the evidence
that I was crying.>
***
"...the deal. First Mr. Saotome is not to be let in the house no
matter what!"
As Ranma walked down the stairs, he could here Nabiki's voice coming
from the dining room. <What's she talking about?>
"But Nabiki! Saotome is my friend and our guest. We can't leave him
outside."
"Quiet daddy! I'm not finished yet. Mr. Saotome said some terrible
things to Ranma, and I won't let him get away with hurting my family!"
<Whoa! Nabiki calling _me_ family? Maybe I shouldn't go out just
yet.> Ranma held back, waiting for Nabiki to finish.
"...no hot water. And third, Mr. Saotome is not allowed any of
Kasumi's cooking. Akane's cooking, on the other hand..."
"Nabiki! That's mean!"
Ranma walked in, "But it sure is acurate! Your cooking could make
toxic waste look appetizing."
"Ranma No BAKA!" Akane jumped up from where she was sitting and
charged at Ranma, tackling her to the ground.
"Akane! Come on! It was just a joke! I told you before, old habits
die hard!" Ranma put her hands in front of her face trying to ward off
Akane's blow.
It never came.
As soon as Ranma moved her hands away, Akane darted forward and planted
a kiss on Ranma's lips.
"Woo hoo! You go sis!"
"Oh dear, Akane aren't you being a little too forward? You're starting
to remind me of that nice Shampoo girl."
Soun just looked like he wanted to be behind his paper.
As Akane pulled away, Ranma just stared at her in shock. After a
couple minutes she was able to manage a "Wha...What? You aren't gonna hit
me?"
Akane smiled. "Actually, no. I was glad you insulted my cooking."
Even more confused, Ranma just barely managed a "What?"
"Insulting my cooking means that you're obviously in a better mood. If
you hadn't insulted my cooking after such a perfect opening, then I would
have been worried."
Ranma sat up, Akane shifting so she was sitting on the red-head's lap.
Ranma returned Akane's earlier kiss, with Akane showing more responsiveness
than Ranma had.
"Hey you two! If you're gonna keep this up, then get a room!"
"Nabiki, don't encourage them that much."
As she broke the kiss with Akane, Ranma said, "Now, beating a certain
ball of black and white fur into a pancake will put me in an even better
mood."
"No."
Ranma looked at Nabiki. "What d'ya mean 'No'?"
"I mean I have a better plan. One that will hurt your father far more
than a simple beating."
Ranma gently nudged Akane off her lap and stood to face Nabiki.
"There's nothin' simple about the beating I plan to give oyaji."
"Be that as it may, your father hurt a member of my family. No one
gets away with hurting Nabiki Tendo's little sister."
As Ranma took her place at the dining room table he looked to Akane and
said, "What? Oyaji wasn't satisfied with yelling at me, he had to yell at
you too?"
Nabiki growled slightly in frustration, "I meant you Ranma!"
For the second time inside of ten minutes Ranma sat, shocked at what
she considered uncharacteristic behaviour of another of the Tendo sisters.
After several minutes spent in silence, Ranma leapt to her feet and hugged
Nabiki. "Do you really mean that, Nabiki?"
With a slightly husky voice Nabiki replied, "Yeah Ranma. I do."
Ranma turned to Kasumi, "And you Kasumi?"
Bright and cheery as always, Kasumi replied, "Why of course Ranma-
chan. I've always considered you family."
Returning to her seat by Akane, Ranma asked, "And you Mr. Tendo?"
Soun just hemmed and hawwed and turned away.
Her good mood deflated a bit, Ranma sighed. "I should have expected
you to take pop's side." Turning away from Soun, Ranma asked, "So what's
this plan Nabiki?"
"As I was explaining before you showed up, your father is not to be
allowed in the house, is not to be allowed any hot water, and is not to be
allowed any food." With a smile, Nabiki added, "Akane's cooking excepted.
The punishment will be revoked when he apologizes to you to your
satisfaction."
"Aside from the food part, I don't get it. Pop always uses his panda
form to escape repsonsibility. What good will that do us?"
"Simple. With Mr. Saotome stuck outside in this hot summer sun, having
a permanent fur coat will probably become very uncomfortable very quickly."
"Nabiki! I cannot allow you to do this to our guest," protested
Soun.
Nabiki knealt next to Soun and whispered in his ear, "If you don't go
along with this, Hinako-sensei will conveniently find out about those
rather risque pictures you have of her. And I don't think she'll be very
happy about it."
Soun whispered back, "What?! But...but..._you_ sold those to me. I'll
tell her that."
"You actually think she'll pay attention to who you got them from when
you're the one who _has_ them?"
Soun gulped audibly then said, "Very well daughter, I shall go along
with this, but under protest."
Nabiki nodded, satisfied. "Oh yes! One more thing. Until he's ready
to apologize, no one pay any attention to Mr. Saotome."
"But how am I gonna stay in shape if I can't spar with pop?"
"Don't worry Ranma, I'll spar with you."
Once again Ranma's mouth shot off before her brain could intercede, "No
way Akane! I don't fight girls."
Before Akane could bring her mallet into play, Nabiki spoke up,
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Ranma, but didn't you agree to be a girl for
Akane?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So, what's wrong with two girls fighting?"
"Uhhh..." Ranma answered smartly. Turning to Akane she said, "I'm
sorry. I'm still not used to this. After all it hasn't even been a full
day yet. If it's really important to you, then I guess I can spar with
you. Who knows, you might actually get good sparring with me."
Akane playfully elbowed Ranma in the gut as she said, "Baka."
Ranma's stomach grumbled.
***
Dinner had been wonderful as always, and everyone had enjoyed larger
portions due to Genma's enforced abscence, especially Ranma, who hadn't
eaten anything else that day. All during dinner they had heard Genma-panda
whimpering outside. The four girls ignored him. Soun stood up as if to let
him in, but one look from Nabiki caused him
to sit back down and eat dejectedly.
Ranma and Akane snuggled together as they watched a martial arts comedy
movie on TV. Soun was sitting at his shoji board, staring at it blankly.
Nabiki was in her room, reading one of her manga. Kasumi could be heard
humming to herself as she cleaned up the kitchen. As the movie ended,
Ranma stood and stretched. Akane looked at her longingly, not wanting to
be seperated from the red head she loved so.
"Where are you going Ranma?" she asked, her tone showing her desire for
Ranma to stay.
Ranma looked down at Akane, love mixed with confusion in her eyes. "I
need to go talk to Nabiki. There's something I still don't understand."
Ranma smiled and kissed Akane on the forehead. "I won't be long."
Ranma ascended the stairs and stopped before Nabiki's room. Before she
could knock, Nabiki's voice called out, "Come in."
As Ranma entered Nabiki's room, she said, "Geez Nabiki, do you have a
hidden camera out there or something?"
In a deadpan voice Nabiki answered, "Of course." Then her voice became
businesslike, "What can I do for you Ranma?"
"Well, Nabiki, I'm confused."
With a smile Nabiki interrupted, "No surprise there."
"Seriously Nabiki. Did you mean what you said earlier? About me being
family?"
"You doubt my sincerity?" Nabiki replied, her voice lowering dangerously.
Ranma quickly clarified, "It's not that...it's just that...I thought
all you cared about was money."
Nabiki sighed. "I can see how you might think that Saotome, but I
always put my family first in any crisis. Money...money became my shield,
after mother died. Money doesn't leave you when you need it most." Nabiki
sniffled and Ranma sat on the bed beside her, placing a comforting arm
around her. "It may seem like I don't care, but I do. I want my family to
be happy Ranma." Suddenly realizing how much she had let down her guard,
Nabiki pushed Ranma away and stared at her hard. "I swear Ranma if
anything I told you goes beyond these four walls..."
Ranma put on her best innocent look and in a Nabiki-like voice said
"Moi? Betray a confidence? Nabiki, I'm insulted."
Nabiki smirked. "Very funny Ranma."
Ranma stood to leave. "So Nabiki, now that I'm family does this mean
that you'll stop selling pictures of me?"
"Don't be ridiculous Ranma. Your pictures are a very lucrative market.
Besides, Akane has been my sister longer than you have and I still sell
pictures of her."
"Well could you at least stop taking such revealing pictures of me then?"
"Ranma! Don't tell me you're starting to develop some feminine
modesty?"
"Nope, that's not it. You don't sell revealing pictures of Akane, so
why should you sell revealing pictures of me, since you said I'm like a
sister to you."
"My, my, a Saotome with a brain. Will wonders never cease."
"Yeah well, now that I don't have to focus on being so manly all the
time, I can focus on more important things."
"Like my sister?"
"Among other things. Expect to be surprised some more Nabiki."
"All right Ranma, no more 'candid' shots."
"Thanks Nabiki-oneechan."
Ranma left Nabiki's room and went back downstairs to rejoin her lover
on the couch.
***
After the last light had gone out in the house, Genma approached the
door, feeling it was safe to return. He tried the door, but it wouldn't
open. Then he noticed a note tacked to the door. It read:
Mr. Saotome,
You are hereby banned from this house until
you apologise to your daughter Ranma.
Furthermore, you are to be allowed no hot
water nor any of Kasumi's cooking until you
apologise. Until you are ready to apologise
no one in this house will have anything to do
with you, not even father. We can wait for
just as long as you, longer in fact. We have
food and shade, you don't. Enjoy the weather.
Nabiki
Genma-panda frowned as best he could in panda form and tried the door one
more time. It still didn't open. With a sigh, he entered the dojo and
tried to sleep.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I would appreciate all C&C
sent to me. Flames will be forwarded to Satan then deleted. Many of
you may be surprised at Nabiki's reaction, but based on my knowledge
of Nabiki, and a few thoughts of my own, I created what I believe to
be an appropriate reaction on her part.
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jco005@worldinter.net
JCOsborne@kansascity.com
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Great Moments in Spellcasting History:
"Klaatu! Verrata! Ni*cough**cough*"
-Ash, Housewares from _Army of Darkness_