The characters of the Ranma 1/2 universe are the creation
and possession of the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi. They belong to
Rumiko Takahashi and her licensees (Shogakukan Inc., Kitty-Fuji
TV, Viz Communications Inc.)
     No copyright infringement is intended.


Torn

=====
Chapter Two:     The Party
=====

     "Tell me again why I'm coming?" Ranma-chan asked for the
hundredth time.
     "Because your mother thought it would be a good idea," Akane
answered, her annoyance plainly showing.
     "So, that still don't explain why you're draggin' me here."
Ranma glanced over at Akane. "I mean, it isn't like y- anyone is
gonna want me there. I am not a real girl, ya know"
     "Then don't come! You're right, forget about what you said
to your mother!" Akane barked. "Look, all you have to do is not
do anything to embarrass me. Got it?"
     "Sheesh, got it." Ranma-chan shook her head. Why did her
mother have to show up when Akane was going over to a friend's
house for a stupid slumber party? Of course, she insisted Akane
take her 'cousin,' Ranko. 'Good way to make friends,' she says.
'I'll be lucky it they don't wanna kill me on the spot.'
Ranma-chan thought gloomily to herself. 'Curse no baka.'
     "Here we are. Now promise me you will try to stay a girl all
night. And that you won't do anything to embarrass me."
Ranma-chan looked at Akane with a pleading expression. "Promise
me, Ranma."
     "Oh all right."
     "All right, what?"
     "I promise."
     "Good." Akane reached up and knocked on the door.

=====

     Yuka opened the door and smiled. 'Right on time,' she
thought. Outside Akane and Onna-Ranma stood waiting. Both were
holding small overnight bags.
     "Hey, Akane." Yuka glanced down the hall. "Ranko."
     "Hey, why'd you call me Ranko?" Ranma-chan asked.
     "My Mother doesn't know about your curse, but she does know
Akane is engaged to a Ranma," Yuka explained.
     "I'm not really a girl, ya know. I don't think I should try
ta hide it," Ranma challenged.
     "Ranma," Akane growled. "This is a girl's night. Get it?
Girl's Night."
     "Exactly!" Ranma countered.
     "Your Mom wanted you here and if you change back, Yuka will
probably get in trouble for having a boy here. You don't want
Yuka to get into trouble do you?" Akane finished with a huff.
Ranma blinked twice then shook his head no.
     "I guess not," Ranma mumbled.
     "It'll be all right, Ranko," Yuka replied. "You'll see. Just
follow me guys."
     Yuka lead the procession to where the other girls where
waiting.

=====

     "What's taking that idiot so long?" Akane huffed, though,
there was no real anger in her voice.
     The girls had all used Yuka's room to change in while Ranma
had claimed the bathroom. Akane had been nervous about with might
happen, if he had returned before they did. As it was, she had
changed in record time.
     More than fifteen minutes had passed now, and they were all
getting bored waiting for Ranma.
     "I guess I'll go see what's taking hi- er, her so long,"
Akane announced a little too loudly.
     Everyone glanced quickly toward the kitchen.
     Yuka had tried to tell her mother once, when Ranma's secret
first came out, but she never believed her. Yuka's mother was
also a little more prudish than, oh say Kasumi, when it came to
some things. Now that they were, in fact, smuggling a boy in to
their slumber party, they didn't think now would be a good time
for her to learn the truth.
     After the brief pause, Akane continued on her way to drag
Ranma to the party.
     Akane banged twice on the bathroom door.
     "W-who's there?"
     "It's me. The others are already dressed, you know. It's
safe for you to come out now."
     "Uh, I don't know about that. I really think I should just
go home now."
     "Oh, no you don't. You promised me."
     Slowly, the door opened revealing a very healthy red-head
wearing her usual undershirt and a pair of boxers. Inwardly Akane
groaned.
     "That's what you brought to wear?"
     "Mom said take what I usually sleep in."
     "Yes, but." Akane trailed off. She supposed she should be
glad her iinazuke didn't sleep topless, or nude. Akane blushed
slightly at the images that thought brought to mind. Fortunately,
Ranma was gazing intently at the floor instead of watching her.
"Let me go talk to Yuka and see if she has anything you can
 wear."
     "Ah, I don't think that'd be a good idea."
     "You can't wear that. Besides, you would feel at lot more
comfortable wearing something like the rest of us are."
     "The last thing I need is ta feel more comfortable with
this," Ranma mumbled with a sigh.
     Akane only turned and left. She didn't want this to turn
into another of their arguments. This place wouldn't stand up to
it and the last thing she wanted was to be no longer welcomed at
her friends' houses.

=====

     "So, how can I. Oh, I see what Akane meant."
     Ranma jumped at Yuka's sudden appearance.
     "What were you looking for?" Yuka asked, noticing that the
cabinet doors were all open, and it looked like someone was
rummaging around. Not messy, just not as neat as her mom usually
kept it.
     "Ah." Ranma began, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
     "Well, let me get you something first, then maybe I can
help." Yuka smiled.

=====

     A short while later found a young buxom redhead staring into
the mirror wearing a long white button down shirt that was just
long enough to cover the boxer shorts she was wearing. All of
Yuka's nightgowns were far too girly for Ranma's tastes. Yuka had
laughingly agreed about some of them. Then she brought out one of
her father's shirts she had commandeered some months back.
     Yuka smirked as she looked at the girl in front of her. If
only she could look that good in it. Not that she was about to
tell Ranma that. She shook her head ruefully.
     Ranma took in a deep breath, holding back the slight wince
the constricting device across her chest caused. "Do I have ta
wear it?"
     Yuka looked into the mirror. She knew the bra she loaned
Ranma was a little small, and probably pinched some. "I know it's
a little uncomfortable," she began. Ranma turned to give her a
look.
     "Why's it so important?"
     "Mom doesn't know about the curse. And, well, a girl
flopping around like you do." she trailed off, not really sure
what she should say.
     "Okay," Ranma said, after letting out a long breath. Once
again, Ranma looked forlornly into the sink, as if it held all
the answers.
     "Ranma?" Yuka trailed off.
     "It's Ranko, remember?" Ranma attempted a smile, but it didn
't come close.
     "Is something wrong?"
     "Uh, this is dumb. I shouldn't be here," Ranma blurted out.
"I really shouldn't be here, not tonight, 'specially not
 tonight," Ranma-chan mumbled almost to softly for Yuka to hear.
     "What's wrong with tonight?" Yuka asked softly. Ranma's only
response was to look shamefacedly at the ground. "Should I get
Akane?"
     "No," Ranma-chan almost blurted out.
     "Why?" Yuka looked in to the reflection of Ranma's eyes
     "I don't want Akane knowin'." Yuka stared at Ranma hard.
"Please?" he finished.
     "What don't you want to tell Akane?" Yuka frowned, 'This
could not be good.'
     "It's. uh." Ranma-chan floundered. "Forget it. Just forget
it. It's my problem."
     "So, are you going to stay in here all night, or are you
coming out to join us?"
     "I haveta go home. I can't stay here. Not when."
     Yuka raised an eyebrow until she thought how Nabiki-ish that
must look. "Look. If you're leaving, then you are going to have
to go out there and explain why to Akane."
     "N- n- n-" Ranma-chan muttered while going completely white.
"I can't!"
     Yuka moved to close the seat on the western style toilet so
she could sit when she noticed several tissues and spots of pink
inside. Ranma moved to flush the toilet, but the damage was done.
Yuka turned to Ranma, her eyes wide open, "You're not."
     Ranma-chan only nodded, too embarrassed to say anything.
     "B- but you're a boy." Ranma-chan continued to nod. "But
that would mean."
     "Believe me, I know what it means," Ranma-chan whispered
gruffly.
     "Give me a sec, I'll get what you need," she whispered.
Actually she just needed out of there. She knew she shouldn't
have been surprised, but it still felt like some fundamental law
of nature had just been shattered in her mind.
     "Please don't tell Akane," Ranma begged as she got up. She
nodded as she stiffly walked out.

=====

     "What took you two so long?" Akane voice demanded from
somewhere as Yuka and Ranma stepped into the living room. After a
quick glance, Ranma spotted her leaning back in a reclining chair
with Sayuri and another girl, Myako, poised over her.
     "You look so cute," the other girl called with a smirk.
     "A real wolf in sheep's clothing," Sayuri poked.
     "After we finish with Akane, You're next!" Myako informed
Ranma.
     "Next?" Ranma and Yuka said at once.
     "Yeah, we're helping each other with our make-up. You know,
sharing girl secrets and stuff." Sayuri continued.
     "Uh. that's okay. Really," Ranma-chan replied, her eyes wide
open.
     "But I insist. It's the least I can do," Myako pushed.
     "It'll be okay, Ranko," Yuka tried to help.
     "Finished!" Myako exclaimed.
     "Wow!" Ranma couldn't keep the word from his lips as Akane
got up and turned around to show everyone. 'She looks.' his brain
couldn't find the words.

     "Just wait until we're through with you!" Myako chimed. She
did like teasing Ranma, but this was what she had been looking
forward to. Myako loved make-up. Being in the drama club, she
usually volunteered to do the make-up and costumes. She was very
disappointed when she didn't get to work on Ranma during the
Romeo and Juliet play, then again she was probably safer that
way. But the chance to work on his girl form - that was far too
much to pass up. He called it a curse. She wished she could be
that beautiful without trying.

     Ranma sat in the chair Akane had just vacated, still too
stunned by Akane's appearance to realize just what she was doing
or that she should be protesting. Myako's eyes already analyzing
her face for the best colors to bring out her eyes while
complementing her complexion and the shape of face.
     The entire process turned into an incredible exercise in the
'soul of ice' technique. 'If Cologne had done this, learnin' the
Hirou-Shoten-Ha would a' been nothin',' Ranma thought grumpily,
as someone did something to her eye brows.
     "Okay guys. Get ready." Myako finally called to the others.
They all gathered around, waiting for the unveiling.
     As Ranma stood up to give everyone a better look, everyone's
jaw hit the floor. Everyone was well aware of her unfair
cuteness. No one in the room was ready for the pure glory of the
beautiful woman now standing before them. Ranma blushed
self-consciously, under the sudden scrutiny, while tilting her
head demurely toward the floor. This, of course, was like
throwing gasoline on the fire of her radiant feminine appearance.
Every male within ten blocks suddenly found themselves struck
speechless for no apparent reason.
     "Hey, someone grab a mirror. I want to know what Ranko
thinks," Myako called after taking a few shots with her handy
camera. She had her portfolio to think of. 'If I could convince
Ranko to let me do this again later.' her thoughts drifted off,
as she started to drool. Images of working with all the big
teen-idols, all of them demanding that she be the only one to
work on them, danced through her head.
     "I- is th- I mean, is that really me?" Yuka, Akane, and
Myako couldn't help but giggle at Ranma's reaction. "Wow, I
mean .." Ranma thought to herself, her brain far too overloaded
to even practice the Saotome foot-in-mouth attack.
     Myako continued to take pictures. Idly wondering what
percentage she could get from Nabiki for the sales of these
photos.

=====

     Ranma sat next to Yuka and Akane on the couch as Sayuri put
the tape in the VCR. Turning back to the group, she scowled. She
had hoped to be able to corner Ranma between her and Akane. 'Oh
well, this little surprise should show Akane and Yuka.'
     Sayuri couldn't keep the smirk off her face as the story,
'They were 11,' started to play. Ever now and then, she would
shoot a quick glance over at Ranma. Usually, he was yawing or
doing some other thing to feign disinterest, but he was keeping
an eye on it. With nervous anticipation she waited for the edit
that she knew was in there.
     While she did own a copy, this was her brother's tape. He
always copied scenes form the various hentai movies his friends
owned. She had discovered that quiet by accident, but never told
him she knew. A trump card she had held over her brother.
     She was not disappointed.
     Suddenly, right after a scene where everyone was panicking
because the space station had altered its orbit, slimy tentacles
started grabbing school girls that weren't in the show five
seconds before.
     "Sayuri!" Yuka hissed. "What is that!" Everyone turned to
face Sayuri, who shrugged her shoulders.
     "I own the laser disk, this is my brother's tape. How was I
suppose to know he had something like this on it?" she replied
coyly, looking over to see Ranma's reaction.
     Yuka jumped up to turn the VCR off before her mother came
in.
     "I- I- I'll go see if I can help in the kitchen," a very
pale Ranma announced, jumping up from the couch as soon as Yuka
moved.
     'That was an odd reaction,' Sayuri thought. 'He was shaking.
If I didn't know better.' she smirked at the joke to herself,
then shrugged it off. It wasn't exactly the reaction she had
hoped for.

=====

     "Well, now what?" Yuka asked after Ranma and her mother
brought snacks in from the kitchen. They were suppose to be
watching the movie, while munching, but she wasn't about to trust
any of the tapes Sayuri brought.
     "How about truth or dare?" Sayuri asked.
     "I don't think so," Yuka started to say, trying to stop this
incident before it started, but her mother called her from the
kitchen. "Coming," she replied after a sigh.
     "How do you play that?" Yuka heard Ranma ask as she entered
the kitchen.

     "Simple." Sayuri started. "Someone asks you a question, then
you either have to answer that question truthfully, or you have
to take the dare. If you take the dare, you have to do what ever
they dare you to do. Got it?"
     Ranma nodded.
     "Good. I'll go first." Sayuri decided. "Myako. Have you ever
kissed a boy, and if so whom? Truth or dare?" She had a few ideas
to liven things up, but wanted to wait to see where Ranma would
go with it. Besides, it would be easier to corner him after
everyone else had a go.
     "Uh," Myako froze, her cheeks turning a definite shade of
pink. She glanced over at Ranma before answering, "Yes," she
nearly squeaked out. "Tahashi-kun," she finished. Akane looked
over at her friend at this. She knew she liked male
martial-gymnast, but she had never known he returned the
feelings.
     "Okay, my turn." She looked around the room; Yuka wasn't
back yet. "Akane." The question 'Do you prefer Ranma's boy side
or girl side?' was hard to push to the side. That would be a very
bad question. "What is your favorite color?" she finished lamely,
then shook her head. She couldn't think of anything else, but
even that was lame. Everyone knew her favorite color was.
     "Blue-gray." Akane said without hesitation, then blinked.
She had meant to say yellow. 'Why did I say blue-gray? Yellow is
my favorite, right?' Shaking that thought for another time, she
looked around to choose her victim. She locked eyes with Ranma.
     "Ran, ko. Why do you always fight with Ryouga? Truth or
dare?"
     Ranma eyes attempted to leap out of her skull at that
question. Sayuri noticed and grinned. She knew there had to be
something there.
     "D- dare." Ranma called. She hated to, but she had to keep
her promise.
     "Hmmm, a dare. Let me think for a moment." Akane smiled.
'This is going to be fun.'
     "I DON'T CARE! I WANT HER OUT OF THIS HOUSE RIGHT NOW, YOUNG
LADY!" came a distinctive voice from the kitchen.
     "SHE'S MY FRIEND, I AM NOT JUST Going.." Yuka's voice
trailed down to far to make out.
     "I WILL NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF GIRL IN MY HOUSE!"
     "I think, maybe I should just go now," Ranma said meekly.
     "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.."
     "NOTHING WRONG? NOTHING WRONG? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG,
DAUGHTER.."
     "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HER! HOW CAN YOU PASS JUDGEMENT LIKE
THAT?"
     Silence filled the living room, only punctuated by an
occasional banging and muffled shouts just low enough not to be
understood. Everyone watched the kitchen door with wide eyes.
They hadn't expected this.
     "I WILL NOT BEND ON THIS, DAUGHTER!"
     "I WON'T ABANDON MY FRIEND!"
     "THEN MY DAUGHTER IS DEAD TO ME. I DON'T KNOW YOU!"
     All the girls gasped. Ranma turned pale.
     "What did." Ranma was cut off as Yuka came storming into the
room.
     "I am sorry guys, I guess the party's over." She looked like
she was about to cry.
     Ranma was shaking, she wanted to rush in there and try to
straighten things out, only she had no clue what was going on,
other than the sinking feeling that it was her fault.
     "You shouldn't have done that. I'll just go," Ranma blurted
out. Everyone looked at her.
     "Thanks Ranma." Yuka tried to smile. "But no, I stick by my
friends, and I mean it." Ranma started to open her mouth to
protest some more, but Yuka shook her head. "No Ranma. This is
mine to deal with."
     Ranma looked into Yuka's eyes and saw the same determination
that always made her back down from Akane. She knew the girl
would not be swayed in this. That was one of the things she
respected most about Akane, even if it did always get her into
trouble.
     "Just remember, you don't have to do this for me."
     "I'm not. I am doing this for me." Yuka's expression
tightened. Gathering her resolve, she saw her friends to the
door, before locking herself in her room.
     It was a long quiet walk home for Akane and Ranma.

=====
=====

     "Last night not go too well?" Nabiki observed the next
morning. She wasn't really surprised that they had come back
sometime last night. Actually, she was surprised that they had
stayed as long as they apparently did.
     "I don't want to talk about it," Akane said gruffly. Not
even bothering to look up at Nabiki.
     She remember when she first heard that some of Akane's
friends where planning a slumber party for Ranma. Just thinking
about it had brightened her entire week. When she had over heard
Akane talking to Mrs. Saotome, she shook her head. Who knew that
her little sister had learned something from her after all.
     She had thought of a few ways she could make money off of
that knowledge, but she couldn't do that to Yuka. Her and Sayuri
were two of the few friends that had stuck by Akane during the
early morning exercises that had so occupied Akane's time before
Ranma had shown up. For that she was grateful. The damage that
could be done to her home, Nabiki didn't even want to think about
it. So, as always, Nabiki paid her perceived debts behind the
scenes, by keeping the knowledge out of certain ears as best she
could.
     For his part, Ranma just sat there looking very guilty.
Nabiki turned her attention back to breakfast. Her sister wasn't
about to talk, and the little chance she had of getting anything
out of Ranma would have to wait until she could get him alone.
     "I need to go practice," Ranma announced. Nabiki raised an
eyebrow. Kasumi looked slightly worried. Akane ignored him.  The
only contact he had made with his food was to protect it from the
elder Saotome, and even that was half-hearted
     After breakfast, Akane had rushed to get dressed and left to
go meet with her friends. Nabiki looked for Ranma, but apparently
he had also taken off.
     And so the calm before storm that was Sunday passed.


kit                 http://jeruind.i8.com/
=====================================
We the unwilling, led by the unknowing,
  are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful.
We have done so much, for so long, with so little
  we are now qualified to do anything with nothing


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