Woohoo!  Chapter 3 of my rewrite.  This has some new material in it, but I 
think it is mostly old stuff that has been updated and expanded.  So far, I 
feel this is the roughest of the rewrite stuff, so any C&C is much 
appreciated.  Thanks again to everyone who responded to my last couple of 
chapters.  Chapter 4 should be 100% new material.

C-Ya ='P

Jon Osborne

A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a 
family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; 
they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his 
birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she 
wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're 
twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

             -Just meting out some punishment

What Price Love
Chapter 3
By: Jon Osborne

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: All characters within this fanfic belong to Rumiko
Takahashi.  I make no profit off these and merely use them out of
love.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Warning:  While this fic has no lemon scenes in it, it does contain
what some could call "Mature Content."  You have been warned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------


    The mid afternoon sun shone down on Akane and Ranma approaching a 
moderately sized home.  Ranma's head darted around nervously.  "I... I'm not 
sure I can do this Akane.  I mean, I could die today."

    "It's okay Ranma, it's only been a week.  We can still go back home, if 
you want."

    Ranma took a deep breath, visibly calming herself.  "No, no.  I need to 
do this.  I just wish the old man hadn't disappeared.  I figured he would 
have stuck around long enough to try and talk your father into showing a bit 
of spine."  Ranma winced, realizing she had just insulted Akane's father.  
When no blow came, she quickly resumed.  "Sorry Akane.  Anyway, I would have 
liked to get a little advanced notice from pops on how mom would react."

    "We're here," announced Akane.

    "You do it Akane."

    Akane sighed.  She reached up and knocked on the door.  After several 
minutes it was opened by Nodoka.

    "Akane!  Ranko!  What a pleasant surprise."

    "Hello Auntie Nodoka," they reply simultaneously.

    "Come in.  Come in.  Would you like some tea?"

    She led them into a small combination living and dining room and sat 
them down at the dining table.  She passed through a doorway into what was 
presumably the kitchen.  As she was preparing the tea, Nodoka called back to 
Ranma and Akane.  "So, what brings you to my home?"

    "Actually we came to talk to you about Ranma," replied Ranma.

    Instantly Nodoka was facing them from across the table.  "What?  You 
have news of Ranma?  He's not hurt is he?"

    "Don't worry Auntie Nodoka, Ranma isn't hurt.  We'll tell you everything 
once the tea is ready," Akane answered.

    After several minutes, Nodoka came back into the room carrying a tray 
with a steaming kettle and three cups.  "So what is this news you have of my 
son?" she asked as she poured the tea.

    Ranma sipped her tea and sighed.  "I don't really know how to say
this, so I'll have to show you.  You see, I am Ranma Saotome, your son."  
With those words, she poured the tea over head, triggering the
transformation.  "Sorry 'bout this."

    Nodoka fainted.

    "Well that went well," Akane commented dryly.

    Ranma vaulted the table and tried to awaken his mother.  After
several light slaps from Ranma, Nodoka's eyes fluttered, then suddenly
popped open.  She cried out in disbelief to see her son sitting over her.  
"Ranma!  My son has returned to me!"

    She sat up and hugged Ranma to her fiercely.  Ranma returned the hug 
with equal force.

    As she finally released her son, Nodoka's eyes widened as she
realized Ranko was nowhere to be seen.  "Ranma, what happened to Ranko?  She 
was just here a moment ago."

    A pained look crossed Ranma's face at the mention of Ranko.  Nodoka 
noticed the look and asked "Nothing's happened to her?"

    Ranma sighed.  "Mom, could you please get me some cold water?"

    "Of course, my son."

    While she was in the kitchen, Akane turned to Ranma.  "Are you sure 
about this?"

    "Yes.  She needs to understand."

    "Sure about what?  I need to understand what?" Nodoka asked as she 
reentered the room.

    Ranma took the glass of water from his mother, then placed his mother's 
hands against his chest.  He picked the glass back up and dumped the 
contents over his head.  "This."

    Nodoka gasped as she felt her son's manly chest _change_ and become the 
very shapely chest of a young girl.  Where Ranma was now sat Ranko.  Nodoka 
just stared.

    Ranma looked at her mother sadly.  "Ranko Tendo never existed.  She was 
me, Ranma Saotome.  Uh, mom, you can let go of my breasts now."

    Nodoka's face flushed crimson as she pulled her hands away from her 
son's...daughter's...child's chest.  "H...h...how?"  She managed to stutter.

    Ranma gave a very unfeminine growl.  "It was all stupid pops' fault.  He 
took me to a cursed training ground in China without knowing any Chinese at 
all.  It had over a hundred springs, each with their own curse.  Oyaji 
managed to knock me into the Spring of Drowned Girl.  I was so shocked at 
his own transformation, I couldn't defend myself."

    "Your father is cursed?  What is his..."  Nodoka's face lit up with 
realization.  "Ranko's pet panda was really my Genma.  But why did you hide 
from me in your cursed forms?"

    "Because of that contract you made me and oyaji sign."

    "What contract?" Nodoka asked, genuine confusion in her voice.

    "The one that said we'd commit seppuku if Pop didn't make me a man
among men.  He said the contract was all your idea and that you wouldn't let 
us out of the house until we both signed it.  Because of my curse, oyaji 
said I couldn't be a man among men since I'm half girl."

    Nodoka's face lit up in realization. "Now I remember.  That contract 
wasn't my idea, it was your father's.  I was against the thing because I 
thought it would put too much stress on you.  But your father kept badgering 
me to agree to it.  I finally gave in because I thought it would keep your 
father's more foolish ideas in check.  Apparently, I was wrong."

    "You don't know the half of it, Auntie Nodoka," put in Akane.

    "So do I have to commit seppuku?" Ranma asked, a hint of trepidation and 
fear in his voice.

    "Of course not!  I had no intention of upholding that ridiculous
contract.  Why would I kill my son after being reunited with him.  Now what 
did Akane mean that I didn't know the half of it?"

    "You'll understand, once I tell you about the last ten years.  The
first part I remember was..."

    "Ranma, son, wait.  I have a feeling this is going to be a long story, 
and I want to see my 'manly' son again, not Ranko."

    Ranma started, realizing that she had been a girl for the majority of 
the conversation.  The past week had seen Ranma growing completely
comfortable with her girl body, so it felt natural to her.  "Sorry mom, this 
body is something else we need to talk about.  Can I have some hot water 
please?"

    "Of course."  Nodoka retrieved a cup of hot water from the kitchen
and handed it to Ranma, who dumped it on herself, becoming himself.  "Is 
that better mom?"

    "Yes, thank you."

    "Now, as I was saying, the first significant thing I remember was my 
time with my friend Ucchan..."

***

    As Ranma finished recounting his life story, Nodoka commented, "Well, 
that's quite a life you've led my son."

    "And it's far from over.  He has a lot of loose ends to tie up in his 
life," said Akane.

    "Akane-chan is right.  Coming here was the first of many 'loose ends' I 
need to tie up."

    "This is a good start my son.  Let us talk of these other loose ends 
over dinner.  Our talk has taken us well into the evening."

    "But I haven't finished this loose end yet."

    "What do you mean, Ranma?  We have been reunited, a family once more."

    "Maybe you should start this latest explanation Akane-chan.  After all, 
you're the one who got this whole ball rolling.  I'll be right back."  Ranma 
stood and entered the kitchen.  Running water could be heard as Akane began 
her explanation.

    "I guess all this started about a week ago.  The two of us were home 
alone and we got to talking about our feelings for each other..."

    "You're in love," Nodoka interrupted.

    "Well yes, but that's not all of it," replied Akane.  Nodoka gave her a 
puzzled look as Akane continued.  "You see, I'm a lesbian.  I like girls, 
not boys."

    Nodoka stared at Akane in shock.  At that point Ranma returned from the 
kitchen, female once more.  She sat down beside Akane and wrapped an arm 
around her waist.

    "Akane made it clear to me that the only way we could continue to have a 
relationship was if we were both girls.  My decision was never in question.  
I love Akane with all my heart and soul.  I did the only thing I could."  
Ranma looked everywhere than at her mom as she said, "I'm sorry."

    Shock etched itself across Nodoka's face as Ranma and Akane dropped this 
latest bomb on her.  "What?  You're sorry?"  She finally managed to get out.

    "Yeah, I'm sorry that I had to take away your son so soon after 
returning him to you.  I love you too much to lie to you anymore than I 
already have.  You deserve to know that I would rather be your daughter than 
your son, or even 'Cousin Ranko.'  I'm just sorry I had to tell you all this 
at once.  Can...can you forgive me...for everything?"

    Nodoka sat there for several long minutes, her face neutral, betraying 
no emotion.  As the time ticked by, Ranma's face slowly fell.

    Finally Nodoka spoke.  "Ranma...there is nothing to forgive. Everything 
you've done, you've done because you felt you had no choice.  You hid behind 
the identity of Ranko because of your father's lies.  It took great courage 
for you to reveal your curse to me.  You felt I had a right to know my son 
was alive.  You also believed you had to do this because of your changing 
relationship with Akane.  You needed to reveal your relationship with Akane 
to fully clear the air between us.  You had many tough decisions to make, 
and each time you did what your heart and mind told you to.  For that I am 
very proud of you...daughter."

    As Nodoka continued to speak, Ranma's face lost its defeated look, 
Ranma's hopes rose and finally peaked when Nodoka called her daughter.

    "Do you really mean it?"

    "Of course I do, dear.  Male or female, you're still my child. Besides, 
I've always wanted a daughter."

    "Are you sure you're all right with my relationship with Akane?  It 
wouldn't bother you in the slightest to see us showing affection?  Even if I 
did something like this?"  Ranma cupped Akane's chin in her hand and pulled 
her into a passionate kiss.  She looked for her mother's reaction after the 
kiss.  Nodoka just smiled at the two girls.

    "Why should I object to my daughter being in love.  Your happiness is my 
happiness."

    "Thanks mom."

    "Thank you Auntie Nodoka."

    "Now Akane, call the dojo and tell your family that you an Ranma will be 
staying here tonight.  We have much to celebrate."

    "Okay Auntie Nodoka."

    "Please Akane, you can call me mother."

***

    "I'm not so sure about this mom."

    "Come now Ranma, how am I supposed to get to know my daughter and her 
girlfriend if we don't spend any time together?"

    "What about dinner last night?  We talked a lot then."

    "Getting to know you requires more than just talking."

    "But clothes shopping?  It's kinda embarrassing."

    "But, I thought you said you liked wearing girls clothes when you're a 
girl," Akane interjected.

    "You're not helping y'know."

    "But Ranma, dear, this would be a perfect opportunity to get to know you 
better.  Your choice of clothing styles and colors can tell me a lot about 
you.  Besides, from what I saw from my visits with 'Ranko' your wardrobe 
could definitely use some fleshing out," Nodoka argued.

    "But won't this cost a lot of money?  I don't want you to go broke or 
nothin' just 'cause of me."

    "Such crude language daughter.  Something we'll have to work on.  And 
no, a simple shopping trip won't bankrupt me.  After you left with your 
father, I set up a special bank account for when you were finally returned 
to me.  It was to be my way of apologizing for not being there for you for 
the last ten years.  After all, a mother should be able to spoil her child a 
little."

    Dropping her head in defeat Ranma replied, "All right, all right, we'll 
go shopping."  Under her breath, she commented, "Sheesh...This is gonna be 
so embarrassing, shopping with my mom."

***

    "Do we have to go here first?" whined Ranma.

    "Of course, daughter.  Proper lingerie is the foundation of any girl's 
wardrobe."

    "But can't we come back after we've gone to the other stores?"

    "What's the big deal Ranma?  We're in Juban, no one you know will see us 
shopping here."

    "But..."

    "No buts."  chorused Nodoka and Akane as they dragged Ranma into the 
lingerie boutique.

    Ranma was idly looking through some nighties when Nodoka approached her 
with a handful of bras.  "Here dear, I want you to try these on."

    Ranma looked through them quickly and handed several back to her mother. 
  "These aren't my size.  These aren't my style.  And this color is 
terrible."

    Ranma went to the changing room, followed by Akane.  As Ranma was trying 
them on, Akane called through the door.  "Please, Ranma-chan, let me see how 
they look on you."

    "No way Akane!  Not in here at least."

    "Come on, we're all girls in here."

    "I said no."  Lowering her voice, Ranma continued, "How about I give you 
a private showing later tonight?"

    Akane pouted.  "Well, I guess that would be OK."

    Ranma made her choices, which also included several pairs of panties and 
two of the nighties she was looking at.  Nodoka paid for them and the trio 
left the store.

    "You know daughter, for someone who complained so much about going in 
there you didn't really seem embarrassed at all.  In fact, you seemed to 
know your way around the store fairly well."

    "Yeah, well, I kinda, you know...I'veshoppedtherebefore."

    "What was that Ranma-chan?"

    Ranma sighed.  "I've shopped there before.  When I was stuck in my girl 
form from the Cat's Tongue, I needed some panties."

    "Why?" Akane asked.

    "I was stuck that way for over a month."

    "So...oh!  How did you know about what was going to happen?"

    "Before pop and I came to your place we had a pretty rough fight.  We 
were both beat up pretty good.  I was still mad about the curse and pop used 
a lot of dirty tricks to defend against my anger-fueled fighting.  Anyway, 
we ended up going to a free clinic and, while pops was being looked at, I 
read a pamphlet about it in the waiting room that the doctor gave me."

    "I didn't realize.  I guess I never really thought about how deep the 
curse really works."

    "Yeah.  Neither did I up 'til then.  Near as I can tell, I'm one hundred 
percent female.  Inside and out.

    "C'mon, lets head in there!"  Ranma pointed to a dress shop.

    "Oh yes, every girl should have some dresses," lectured Nodoka.

    Once inside, the three ladies started shopping in earnest, each going 
her separate way.  Akane decided to tease Ranma a bit by finding the most 
disgustingly cute dress she could for Ranma.  After some digging she found 
the perfect dress.  With bright pink silk for the shell, puffy, cap sleeves, 
and a full skirt, just above the knee, it was disgustingly cute enough.  Add 
to that a high lace collar and trim of a slightly darker shade of pink and 
the dress could cause cavities at fifty paces.  <Perfect!>  "Hey Ranma!  I 
found the perfect dress for you to try on," Akane called out as she turned 
from the rack.

    Hearing no response, Akane cast her gaze about the store looking for the 
diminutive red-head.  "Ranma, where'd you go?"

    Stepping from the changing room, she replied, "Right here."

    Taking a quick look at the dress, Ranma gave a shudder.  "I don't know 
Akane...I think this is more my style."  Ranma struck a pose, then twirled 
slowly to give Akane a good look at the dress she was trying on.

    Akane stared in shock.  Ranma had on a velvet gown with full length 
sleeves.  At first it looked black, but as Ranma twirled, the reflecting 
light showed it to be a very deep purple.  As Ranma turned, Akane also noted 
absently that it was backless, coming nearly to Ranma's behind.

    "Close your mouth Akane-chan, you're attracting flies."

    Ranma's jibe snapped Akane out of her stupor.  "Ranma, you look 
absolutely gorgeous!  Mother Saotome, you have to see Ranma," Akane gushed.

    Nodoka came over to the girls from the other side of the store.  "What's 
all the commotion?"  She looked at Ranma and gasped.  "My, Ranma you look 
absolutely stunning.  In fact you remind me of myself when I was your age."

    Ranma blushed crimson from the praise.  "Aw jeez, mom.  You're 
embarrassing me.  You too Akane."

    "Why should you be embarrassed by the truth?  You truly make that 
dress," interjected the saleslady.  "It would be a crime for you to not buy 
it."

    Ranma looked to her mother.  "I don't know, it's kinda expensive."

    "Nonsense dear, this is the main reason I brought you shopping."

    "Well, I DO look good.  OK, lets get it."

    Ranma chose a couple of sundresses, a mini, and at her mother's 
insistence, a little black dress.  Nodoka also purchased a sapphire colored 
silk dress for Akane to keep her from feeling left out of the fun.

    As they were leaving the store, Ranma's stomach asserted itself, 
growling loudly.  Nodoka and Akane broke into laughter.  "Well, perhaps we 
should stop for lunch," responded Nodoka after her laughter died down.

    "Ranma's stomach sure thinks so," quipped Akane.

    Naturally, Ranma's stomach chose that moment to growl again, causing 
another bout of laughter.  Blushing fiercely, Ranma stared down at her 
stomach and whispered, "Quiet you."

***

    After a quick lunch, the three women got back to their shopping.  Ranma 
steered her mother and girlfriend towards a Chinese import store.  "C'mon, 
let's check this place out."

    "What is it with you and Chinese silk Ranma?"

    "You kiddin' Akane?  It feels great, breathes well and is easy to fight 
in."

    "Do you base everything in your life around fighting daughter?"

    "Yeah, well, as much as my life is messed up, I've kinda hadta.  
Hopefully, it won't matter that much here pretty soon."

    Ranma's eyes lit up with mischief as she spied one rack of clothes.  
Snagging something off the rack, she kept it carefully hidden from Akane.  
"Be right back Akane, I want to check something out over by the register."

    "Oh, okay Ranma," Akane replied distractedly, occupied in her own 
shopping.

    Picking a couple items off a display rack at the registers, Ranma snuck 
off to the changing rooms.  Turning to her mother, she winked and put a 
finger to her lips.  Nodoka nodded, a puzzled look on her face.  However, 
she was willing to wait to see what her daughter had in mind.

    Pulling a yellow cheongsam off the rack of clothes she was looking at, 
Akane turned to ask Ranma her opinion.  Not seeing Ranma immediately, Akane 
began to scan the store for her lover.  Finally she called out "Ranma, where 
did you go?"

    "Aiyaah!"

    Akane started to turn as a red and black blur shot at her, slamming her 
into the ground.

    "Airen come to date with Ranma yes?"

    Akane looked down to see Ranma dressed in a black and silver version of 
Shampoo's typical dress.  Her hair was done in a similar style to Shampoo's 
as well, if a bit longer.  That she was also performing a credible Amazon 
Glomp on Akane didn't go unnoticed.

    "Aaaahhhhh!  Ranma get off me you pervert.  We're in the middle of a 
store."

    Not done playing, Ranma snuggled against Akane as her face fell in mock 
sadness.  "Airen no want to date Ranma?  Is Ranma not pretty enough for 
Airen?"

    Caught off guard by this, Akane let her mouth run without her brain to 
back it up.  "Aack.  No, of course not.  You know I think you're 
beautiful..."

    Akane was cut off as Ranma squeezed her harder.  Her face lighting up, 
she replied "Aiyaah!  Ranma so happy!"

    Tinkling laughter, like many small bells kept Ranma from continuing.  
Looking up from her position in Akane's lap, she noticed the saleslady from 
behind the counter standing over the two girls.  She was Chinese.  Ranma 
placed her in her mid thirties.  Nodoka approached the two girls as well, 
humor evident in her eyes.

    The Chinese woman spoke up.  "My, I haven't seen such a good Glomp in 
quite a while.  Where did you learn to do that?"

    Ranma stood, offering her hand to Akane, who pushed it away and stood up 
on her own, purposefully ignoring her girlfriend.  "Nerima," Ranma replied.  
"There are a group of Chinese Amazons running a ramen restaurant there.  
I've seen one of them do it enough, so I just copied what she did.  Why, you 
an Amazon or somethin'?"

    "Actually, yes."

    "Whatcha doing outsida yer village then?  I thought ya pretty much kept 
ta yerselves."

    "Ranma-chan manners."

    "Sorry, mother."

    "Yes well, I expect the same thing as the Amazons in Nerima."  the woman 
evaded.

    Ranma looked at her incredulously.  "You?  A husband hunt?  I doubt it.  
If ya don' wanna tell me just say 'It's tribal business that doesn't concern 
an outsider like you.' or somethin."

    The woman smiled.  "Alright then.  It's tribal business which does not 
concern outsiders."

    "There, that wasn't so hard was it?"

    The saleswoman laughed again.  "You'd make quite the Amazon you know?"  
Changing the subject, she asked, "So how do you like that outfit?"

    "Hmm?  Oh, I can see why Shampoo likes 'em so much.  It feels great, 
doesn't restrict my movement at all, but still keeps everything properly 
covered."

    "You may have it if you like."

    "What?  For free?  No way.  I couldn't just take this.  I gotta pay ya 
somethin'."

    "Ah, but you have paid me.  Information can be just as valuable as any 
money.  Humor too has its value.  I haven't laughed like that in quite some 
time.  That is payment enough for me."

    Ranma looked to her mother.  "Whatta you think mom?"

    "If you really like it, I don't see any problem."

    Ranma turned back to the Saleswoman.  Bowing, she recited, "Thank you 
Honored Warrior."

    The Amazon returned the bow.  "And I thank you."

    The serious stuff over, Ranma turned to her fiance.  "C'mon Akane, 
there's still some more stuff I want to look through here."

    Realizing that Ranma hadn't even been aware that she was being ignored, 
Akane acquiesced, following her over to another rack of clothes.

***

    When they left the store, Ranma had acquired three more shirt and pant 
sets, just in a more feminine cut then she usually wore.  Akane also 
purchased the cheongsam she had been looking at before Ranma glomped her.

    "This should be enough shopping for now, right mom?" asked Ranma, a 
hopeful look on her face.

    "Yes dear, I suppose this will do for now," her mother replied.  "Would 
you girls like to stay over again tonight?"

    "Could we?  That would be wonderful.  Maybe I could even help you cook 
dinner Au-I mean mother."

    Nodoka started to reply when she saw the panicked look of her daughter 
as she started to make warning signs.  "No, Akane dear, that won't be 
necessary.  You are a guest after all.  Besides, I like cooking when it's 
for more than just myself."

    Ranma cut in front of Akane and pulled her mother into a hug.  "I'm 
sorry mom."

    "It's not your fault Ranma-chan.  I did have some idea of what I was 
giving up."

    "Well, let's do something fun tomorrow mom.  How about a trip to the 
beach?"

    "That sounds wonderful dear, but do you have a swimsuit?"

    "Yeah, but it's back at the Tendo's."

    "Well, since we're still here we may as well buy you a new one."

    "Aww, man!"

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