Series Title: Glory Days
Story Title: Orchid in Full Bloom
By Horosha
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Viz Communications and Kitty Productions
If you have any comments, my email address is:
V_Bashaw@hotmail.com
WARNING: This is an adult fanfic so if you are under the age of 18 or you don't want to read a work that contains adult situations and content, like sex and violence, stop here.
Forward: A while ago, a friend of mine asked me to write a Ranma fanfic where Ranma voluntarily choose to be a full girl. In other words, Ranma decides to stay female. Now anyone who has read Ranma fanfics know, this is a common theme in many of them, but in those, Ranma is either forced to be female by some outside influence (as in Girl Days) or Ranma was originally a girl at birth and was forced to be male (as in Genma's Daughter). I have yet to find one where Ranma choose to be female was made of his own free will.
So I'm giving it a shot.
Chapter Six: Big Trouble in Little China
It was early Monday when Kasumi found Ran doing her early morning kata, modified to take into account her inflated case and crutches. Looking at the time and seeing they had plenty of time, the oldest Tendo sister suggested to her new sister it was time for another sex lesson.
Ran blushed at the suggestion, nodding, and following Kasumi as the pair went to oldest sister’s room. Seated on the bed next to each other, Kasumi took Ran’s right hand in both of her, “Tell me, Ran-chan, how has your experience with the vibrator and the dildo been like?”
“I’m...I’m a little surprised, Onee,” Ran’s cheeks staying the color of her hair, “I remembered wha’cha said about not flipping out each time, but I haven’t had any trouble. In fact, its been the other way around,” she nibbled her lower lip, “I haven’t used the fake dick. Every time I use the little egg doohickey, my insides jus’ melt.”
“I’m not surprised,” Kasumi softly squeezed Ran’s hand with her own, “Akane had the same trouble when she first started to use sextoys to masturbate with.”
“Nani?” Ran was both surprised and happy by the news she shared another trait with her beloved.
Kasumi nodded, “It took me awhile to figure it out it and it is because of the Anything Goes Martial Arts training. The way the mind, the body and the soul are able to merge and focus together. Because of it, the ability to successfully to have an orgasm is higher than a normal woman.”
“Suge gu,” Ran smiled, “it is true of other martial artists na?”
“Iie,” Kasumi shook her head, “it’s due to the special emphasis in the Anything Goes Martial Arts of adding new techniques and improvisation, it allows a great deal of mental flexibility, which in turn leads to sexual flexibility.”
“So na,” Ran thought for a moment, “both you and Nabiki were taught by your father before you both decided not to devote yourself to the Art.”
“Hai,” Kasumi’s expression was very sisterly, “and the training has helped in keeping our minds flexible in more ways than one ne.”
Ran giggled at the implied meaning, nodding, “I lik’ta try out the fake dick,” her baby blues bright, “you know me and new techniques.”
Kasumi giggled as well, one hand to her lips, “Instead of using the vibrator, Ran-chan, use your hands and imagine the effects of the vibrator on your vagina. You need this,” her hand motioning at the redhead’s crotch, “to be aroused and moist with its own natural lubrication, so using a dildo won’t cause excessive pain.”
“Hai,” Ran nodded, thinking over Kasumi’s advice.
“You might experience some pain and tenderness because this is your first time,” Kasumi’s tone gentle, “but once the pleasure begins to build, you should be fine as long as you don’t overuse it.”
“Domo arigato, Onee,” Ran accepted the hug from Kasumi before the pair left her bedroom.
Kasumi headed for the kitchen while Ran made her way to the furo, her little black bag hanging from her left wrist while using the crutches. Once inside of the furo, with crutches in one corner and her inflated case next to them, the redhead thought while she wash herself. Once done and in the oblong steamy pool of water, Ran followed her big sister’s advice. Closing her baby blues, the teenager began to run her fingertips over her body, using the heat and texture of the water to aid in sensitizing her body. After swirling her right fingers over her muscled stomach, she moved it down between her thighs, which caused a little gasp when she touched her clitoris, the bud still in its hood. She wetted her lips as her fingers started to pet her pussy, keeping the sensation light so it could combine with the simulation of the water. With her left hand, the girl caressed her breasts, tracing out the edge of each one, little spikes of pleasure making her shiver. It is now Ran tried to plug in her memories of the awesome effect of the vibrator, using her imagination to bring back those powerful pulses.
It took some concentration for Ran to pull herself back from the status her fingering was doing to her. A little moan escaped her lips as she slide her right middle finger between her engorged nether lips, pulling it back out and out of the water. Using her thumb she found the sticky juices clinging to her digits, “Looks like I’m ready,” her voice husky.
Taking the dildo in hand Ran looked at it for a moment, before she took it under the water. She fumbled for a moment, a little gasp of pleasure causing her cheeks to flush more when the tip rubbed her stiff clitoris. Then felt the cockhead press against and between her nether lips, causing her eyes to widen at feeling her vaginal walls stretch, “Kami-sama...so tight...glad I didn’t insist...on borrowing Onee...” Ran’s whole body shivered, her legs twitching as she slowly pushed the sex toy into herself. She stopped for a moment when she came close to her pain threshold, panting until she could feel her insides relax. The sensation of being so full was so awesome, so good. The redhead licked her lips and pushed more of the dildo inside of her until she felt the tip stroke her cervix, causing the teenager to moan louder, her hips bucking a little.
For a long time she savored how the tightness of her vaginal tunnel felt to be stretched and filled, her panting increasing a little. With her hand holding the end of the dildo, she begins to slide it out, taking two-thirds of it out of herself before she begins to push it back inside, her eyelids flickering each time the sex toy stroked her G-spot, sending ripples of pleasure into her brain. Ran continued the process, moving the rubbery device in her pussy, the motion taking on a life of its own, the redhead could feel her brain melting like before, feeling her other hand moving on its own to knead her breasts, to pitch and tug her stiff nipples. As her arousal grew stronger, her pain threshold disappearing under the flood of pleasure, her hips bucking by instinct to the rhythm of her thrusts, her panting so loud, her eyes close and her body shaking with its lust.
A half-asleep Nabiki is standing outside in the hallway, wearing her rumpled blue pajamas and about to slide the door to the furo open. Her foggy mind is shocked awake by the lustful squeal coming from the bath part of the room, “Ne-ne someone is sure flipping out,” she grinned
********
Monday was also Ran's first day at school for the new semester. The redhead along with Nodoka, Uyko and Nabiki reached the administration building at Fuurinkan High School with plenty of time before the first period. Once the paperwork was done, Nodoka went back to her home and Nabiki went to her homeroom. Ran and Ukyo followed their homeroom teacher, Ninomiya Himako. The child teacher looked between the taller girls, a stern look on her cute face, "Remember, no fighting or I'll suck you like a lemon."
"Hai, Himako-sensei," both girls weren't surprised by the warning, since they both looked like they went through 15 rounds with Mike Tyson, Uyko's right arm immobilized while Ran was still on crutches with the blue inflated case on her right foot and ankle. Ukyo smiled at how upbeat Ran seemed, there was a bounce to how the redhead moved on her wooden legs, her baby blues sparkled with confidence. When the group walked to the school, Ukyo asked Nabiki in a whisper why her new big sister was so happy. The return whisper from the older teenager caused the martial artist cook to deeply blush.
The noise in the classroom dropped when its door slid open, allowing Teacher Himako, Ran and Ukyo to enter. The class president had the class go through the routine of greeting the teacher. In the back Ran saw Hiroshi and Daisuke watching her intently. It wasn't unusual either Ukyo or Ran to show the results of their battles, although it was clear from the expressions on Ran's friends, the two boys found it strange seeing the girl form instead of their mucho male buddy. Even more so was what Ukyo and Ran were wearing. Ran was in the girl’s uniform while Ukyo was wearing a skirt.
It had caught Ran off-guard when the pair met in the morning. Clearly it was some sort of compromise between the cross-dresser and her new mother. Ukyo was wearing the long skirt of the girl's school uniform but the shirt and jacket was of the boy's school uniform. It had taken a little bit of convincing to get the administration staff to agree to the combination uniform, but not much since several students, including Ran, wore whatever they wanted to. For Ran, she was wearing the girl's school uniform but not the one she sometimes wore as a disguise. This one was brand new and even included cute stickers on her school shoes, much to Ran's embarrassment since her mother insisted.
Himako got onto a soapbox behind her podium, using a ruler to tap the top, "Class, we have two new students joining us today." Her sweet child voice showing no gall, "Would you introduce yourself to your new classmates?"
Uyko nodded and using her left hand, wrote her name on the chalkboard, "I'm Kunojo Uyko," she bowed to the students, "I'm happy to meet you."
The shock in the classroom was mild compared to what happened next when Ran wrote her name on the chalkboard next, "I'm Tendo Ran," she bowed to her classmates, "Those who knew me from last year or heard rumors about me, know I had a water curse, allowing me to change gender. Well, I don't have the water curse anymore, but I'm not a boy anymore, I'm one-hundred percent girl and I'm married to Tendo Akane da."
Let loose the dogs of bedlam.
********
"That went well," Ukyo commented as she and Ran sat down under one of the trees in the school’s grounds.
"Speak fer yourself, Uu-chan," Ran groused, placing her bento on the ground, "it took Himako's 50-yen-coin attack to those dweebs off my back da."
"Yo," both girls looked up at Hiroshi and Daisuke, the latter asking, "Could we sit with you, Ukyo-kun, Ran...Ran-kun ka?"
Ran smiled, motioned to the ground next to her and Ukyo, "Hai...and you can call me Ran-chan na." Then the redhead noticed Akane's friends, Yuka and Sayuri, looking at them, "Come on over, Yuka-chan, Sayuri-chan, more the merrier."
Soon there was a ring of students sitting in the shade of the tree, eating their lunches, "Ano...how is Akane wa?" Yuka asked.
"Akane will be home from the hospital on Thursday," Ran popped a sausage into her mouth with her chopsticks, "after school, me and Ukyo will be helping to get the rehab equipment into the dojo, so Akane won't have to go to the hospital for her exercises."
"Can we help?" Hiroshi's mouth was full of rice.
"Hai," Ran held up her hand to show off her wedding ring, "just remember me and Akane are hitched da."
This got some giggles and chuckles from the others, "Ukyo-kun isn't taken," Daisuke's comeback got Ukyo to blush and more sounds of amusement.
"Yare-yare," Ukyo's expression looked angry but her eyes vibrated with joy. Despite her tough exterior, the tall girl found the attention from the boys comforting.
"Maybe me and Yuka can come too," Yuka nodded at Sayuri's suggestion, "we could ask Kasumi if we could set up a welcome home party for Akane on Thursday," her gaze shifted to Ran, "or maybe a wedding celebration ne?"
"That sounds like a great idea," Ran's gaze was bright, "I pretty sure Akane misses her friends and it would be a great way to start her off on the road to recovery da."
"And a beginning for your marriage as well," Ukyo pointed out as she nibbled on a pickled plum.
"You don't sound mad about losing Ranm...losing Ran to Akane," Hiroshi sounded puzzled.
"Baka...I didn't loose, I got what I wanted," Ukyo looking at the remains of her bento, one lovingly created by her new mother, "a family."
For a moment there was a pause in the chatting, then Yuka asked the million-dollar question, "You seem pretty comfortable being a girl for the rest of your life, Ran-chan. Won't you miss being a boy ne?"
Ran thought for a moment, "I probably will, especially if I ever get into any fights with guys bigger than me," she took a sip of milk from her carton, "but with the way the curse was going, I was spending more time as a girl than as a guy and the roller-coaster effects was turning my life into one big soap opera and the lives of my friends like Ukyo, Akane and Shun Po," the redhead ate more rice before she continued, "also being a boy starting to get me down. Sure, I was being a man amongst men, but it felt...phony..." pressing her chopsticks to her lower lip, "like I was doing everything I could to match up with other people's expectations and not being myself."
"Sort of the grass is greener on the other side of the fence?" Hiroshi asked.
"Maybe," Ran closed her bento box, "maybe I was meant to be a girl in the first place, maybe I was fighting against my destiny all along," she shrugged a little before standing up, "whatever the reason, I'm going to be a girl I can be proud of being."
The group watched Ran leaving before Daisuke said, "You know, that last statement sure sounded like the old Ranma."
Everyone nodded.
********
The big test of the day for Ran came with the final period of school, the girls' locker room and PE. It did help all the girls were from Ran's homeroom, so they knew this wasn't pervert Ranma getting in some cheap trills. She did get some curious glances and a few hard glares, as if some of the girls were silently telling her to behave herself. What did surprise Ran was having Yuka and Sayuri flanking her and not seeming to mind the former boy getting an eyeful, "Yuka-chan, Sayuri-chan, you two don't seem to mind me being an ex-boy ne?"
"We'll let you in on a little secret, Ran-chan," Sayuri smiled as she pulled on her sports bra, "me and Yuka are les..."
"Bi-curious," Yuka cut in, folding her skirt and putting it in the locker.
Ran looked surprised, "So you weren't attracted to me as a boy wa?"
"Pinpoon," Sayuri held her thumb up, "now we are."
"In a way," Yuka gave a pleading look to her friend, slipping on her PE top.
"Was that why you hanged out with Akane?" Ran pulled on her own sports bra.
"Hai," Sayuri slipped on her blue buruma, "Akane is so...ano..."
"Tomboyish?" Ranma pulled down her top.
"Ee," Yuka agreed, "I'm pretty shy about this whole thing and Sayuri puts on a good act but she is shy too."
Sayuri flumed a little at Yuka before sighing, "Yeah, we're both shy and thought with how macho Akane was, she might be ano...the assertive type."
"Does Akane know?" Ranma pulled on her white stockings and shoes.
"Ne-ne, Yuka spilled the beans," Sayuri grinned at her friend.
Yuka giggled nervously, "I spilled my purse on a train platform and Akane was helping pick my stuff up, when she saw I had photos of her in her martial arts gi."
Ran wondered for a moment just how connected was Nabiki to every little secret desire and need the students had at Fuurinkan High School, "Was Akane mad?"
"More surprised than mad," Sayuri answered, putting on her shocks and shoes, "and she admitted she was lez-curious, but made us promise not to tell you."
"But you're telling me now?" Ran stood up.
"I figure no harm now," Sayuri finished dressing for PE, "you both married to each other as girls, so it does answer the question about how you both swing."
Ran blushed deeply, "Ano...it might have been different if Akane was a boy," then she giggled, "although I doubt I would've ended up with Akane with the way I was thinking at the time. Probably Nabiki or Kasumi."
The other girls giggled, "I remembered the time when you got into an argument with Akane," Yuka stood up, "and she tossed you to Nabiki."
"You could see the horns sticking out of Akane's hair," Sayuri stated as the three girls headed for the entrance to the gym, "she was only pretending to be concern about Nabiki staying alive with Uyko, Kodachi and Shampoo headhunting."
"Hai," Ran rubbed her nose before getting her crutches, "Oi, domo arigato, Yuka-chan, Sayuri-chan."
"Nani?" The two girls asked.
"For being such good friends to Akane and to me," Ran grinned, "this first day back to school is working out better than I'd hope for."
"You're a member of the sisterhood now, Ran-chan," Sayuri pointed out, "which makes a whole difference in the world."
"Yeah," Yuka agreed, "just wait until you have your first period."
"Maa..." Ran groaned.
********
The second day of school was easier than the first day for Ran. Much less chaos thanks to Himako-sensei's threat of draining anyone who annoyed her, as well as an agreement worked out between Ran and Nabiki where the redhead directed any curious student to the Ice Queen for answers, with payment of a nominal fee of course. Ran also got a chance to have fun in PE. The PE teacher had held her out the first day because she wasn't sure about Ran's status. Once that was decided in her favor, the fiery-haired girl was happy to sit on the floor and cheer on Yuka and Sayuri while they were playing volleyball.
After school was out Ran with Nabiki and Uyko walked together but the three girls weren't heading home or to Uyko's restaurant. Instead they made their way into Nerima’s the little Chinatown, a twenty-minute stroll from Fuurinkan High School. As they got close to Nekohanten, Ukyo asked, "Are you sure about this, Ran-neechan?" Foreboding hinted in her tone, "Xian Pu could flip her purple wig and you're still using three legs to get around on wa."
"Why do you think I've been practicing my martial arts with them," calm certainty coming from Ran, "I didn't want to get caught flatfooted by one of Xian Pu's sudden visits at the Tendo compound," an approving expression showing on Nabiki's face, "so it’s time for me to go onna offense da."
"That she-cat might go after Akane at the hospital," Uyko warned her redheaded sister, "she has tried to kill Akane before."
"So have you, Uu-chan, or should I say you’ve plotted with Xian Pu to do the same thing," the tomboy stopped by Nabiki's accusation, looking away from the pair in shame, "yet how do you feel now about my little sister ne?"
"I'm...I'm happy for her," Uyko trembled, "I...I always liked Akane...still do...and I know she liked me...if it wasn't for Ranma...Ran...we would've been the best of friends..." she smiled softly, sniffled, "just as I hope we will be."
Ukyo felt a hand squeeze her left forearm, finding Ran standing there, "I know Akane feels the same way about you, Uu-chan, despite her hair-trigger temper...she is pretty forgiving," a grin appearing on the cute face, "she has to with a hubby like me and a sister like Nabiki."
"Casting stones my way, Ran-chan?" Nabiki smirked, pushing up the curtain covering the top half of the Nekohanten entrance, "And here I've been thinking nothing but good thoughts about you."
Ran felt an icy finger run down her spine. Whenever Nabiki had good thoughts about anyone, it usually means the Ice Queen is plotting. The redhead studied the brown-haired girl's face for a moment, an innocent expression showing there, which caused Ran to experience a boatful of suspicions. Sighing, Ran hobbled into the restaurant. Inside both Ran and Uyko were surprised to find every table filled with Fuurinkan High students. Ran shot a look at Nabiki, who was staring intently up at the ceiling. Was this part of the middle sister's plot?
"Airen!" Ran expected the bouncy Amazon to gulp onto her, so the redhead was amazed when Shampoo stopped in midair and dropped onto her feet, "You are, Airen?" The teenager in the frilly apron and cute waitress outfit stared at Ran, "Hair is darker...you taller...buffed."
"Yare-yare, Xian Pu," Ran shook her head, "thanks for making me feel like some otachi!" Hearing the redhead bitch about being described as a diesel dyke brought a round of giggles and chuckles from her fellow students, which got a shrug from Ran, "Hai, things have changed." The redhead glanced at Cologne, who was in the kitchen, staring at her with her ancient eyes, "Kuh Lon, have you seen Mousse lately."
"Mousse is at Joketsuzoku," Cologne's expression unreadable, "he came home over a week ago badly injured, in need of extensive healing, so Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung came and took him to our village."
"One less psycho to deal with," Nabiki muttered in a stage whisper, causing the eyes of the two Amazons to narrow, before she made her way over to stand by the pickup window, where Cologne looked out.
Ran glared at Nabiki for her unkind words, before she turned back to Shampoo, "Gomen nasei, Xian Pu, of all fuck-ups in my life, the one with you can't blame on my o’fart of a father," she glanced at Uyko, who smiled at her new sister, "it was my macho attitude tha’ brick-walled ya aspirations."
"What you mean?" Shampoo wasn't as dense as she sounded. In her spare time, those moments when she would daydream, she thought about how her life could have been different had a certain redheaded girl and her pet panda hadn't arrived at the Amazon village and consumed the celebration feast, which in turn caused the exhausted village champion to fight a battle of honor against the intruding girl and lose.
This wasn't easy for Ran, this was a matter of personal honor, what was more it was a matter of female honor, "Of all of the inazuke, it was my fault you become one of them, Xian Pu, which meant yours was the strongest, it was the one I should've honored."
As the words were spoken by Ran, Shampoo felt her heart fluttering, her mind blooming in joy at hearing her beloved actually recognizing her claim, actually saying her assertion of marriage was the best of all of them. Then came the clunker at the end, "Should honor?"
Ran nodded, held up her hand to show the wedding ring, "Hai, Xian Pu, I’ve married Akane...I'm...I'm not a guy anymore...Mousse and I got into a rumble and Akane got hurt badly...I saved her but...I made a choice. I'm no longer Saotome Ranma...he died that night. Now I'm Tendo Ran."
The brightness of Shampoo's purple hair became more noticeable as the color drained from her face. Her eyes moved immediately to Cologne, who nodded, "The aura of Nyanniichuan is gone," awe showing in her wizened features, "the magic of the wedding ring is very powerful, where did you get it?"
"An old man gave it to me," Ran's baby blues shimmered with emotions.
"Only something gifted by the Gods could break the power of a Jusenkyou curse," Cologne sighed, her sad gaze shifted to Shampoo, where her ancient eyes widen.
It was hard to tell when Shampoo had stopped hearing what the others were saying. Every inch of her female body was shaking, her hands clinching so tight, her expression going from shock to pain to anguish while loose strands of her purple hair stood on end. Finally her eyes locked on Ran, the source of all her suffering turning the ball of ice in her stomach to an raging inferno, "Ranma...die!"
The blur of motion of Ukyo came between Ran and Shampoo, while two twin scimitars magically appeared in the Amazon's hands. Without hesitation, the redhead scooped up the cross-dresser with her crutches and tossed her over to where Hiroshi and Daisuke stood, each having stand at Shampoo's scream, "Hiroshi-kun, Daisuke-kun, take care of my imoto!"
There was a second of hesitancy, a flicker of conscious in Shampoo’s eyes when she heard Ran address Ukyo as a younger sister, a few precious seconds which allowed Fuurinkan High students to either flee from the Nekohanten or move into the safety of the kitchen to watch.
Hiroshi and Daisuke caught Uyko and hustled her into the kitchen where they held her tight by the shoulders and waist, "Looks like there is going to be big trouble in little China," Hiroshi observed.
A hurricane of purple wrath ripped into Ran, but despite how much the steel wind surrounded the redhead, she was able to stay avoid its deadly caress. The jaws of several of the students drop as they watched the redhead seeming to float in the air, using her one good leg and her crutches to keep herself in constant motion. It wasn't a big surprise to Nabiki how graceful Ran moved, she had watched the martial artist practice with the crutches every day, using them to do even the most simplest things just to become more and more dexterous with them, but she smirked at the expressions of awe on the faces of Hiroshi, Daisuke and many of the other students from Fuurinkan High School. Ran's body was the balance of the extremes of her former bodies. She didn't have the high muscled power of her large male body nor did she have the blinding speed of her petite female body. The combination of the two extremes in perfect yin-yang balance caused Shampoo to look like the she was the one with a physical disadvantage. Soon the tables were cleared of by the sweeps of Shampoo's blades and Ran's fancy footwork.
"Kuh Lon," the Amazon matriarch looked at Nabiki, "doesn't Xian Pu practice every day with the sabers?" The ancient one nodded, "So she is purposely being sloppy and leaving herself open to attack ne?" Cologne sighed, nodded, "You mean she isn't trying to bait Ran into a trap ka?"
"Xian Pu wants to die," Cologne's voice creaked with sadness.
"So ka..." Nabiki continued to watch the battle between Ran and Shampoo, while talking to the elder, "I take it the Amazon Council takes a dim view about failure. I mean it was they who put the Jusenkyou whammy on Xian Pu after she failed with the Kiss of Death on Ranma."
"The only reason Xian Pu escaped with only the Jusenkyou curse as punishment," Cologne's expression was very sad, "was because she had given the Kiss of Marriage to Ranma, not knowing about Ranma's curse."
"What would have happened if Xian Pu hadn't given the Kiss of Marriage by accident," Nabiki held up one finger, "or Ranma hadn't intervened to protect Akane from your grand-daughter," she held up two fingers, "or if a fresh-as-a-daisy Xian Pu was defeated by Ranma as a girl wa?" the Tendo sister held up a third finger.
"Under our ancient laws, Xian Pu would loose all of her heritance from me, be stripped of her warrior status and be auction off as a slave," with each word Cologne's eyes grew sadder.
Nabiki nodded slowly, her expression showing she had expected this answer, "Then Kuh Lon, I have a deal for you."
If an amateur like Nabiki, someone who practiced martial arts once a week, could spot how vulnerable Shampoo was leaving herself to counter-attacks, then so did Ran. Furthermore there wasn't the cold-blooded rage the redhead had seen when the purple-haired Amazon tried to fulfill the Kiss of Death, instead the girl had the look of despair, of dreams and hopes crushed into dust. With the tip of her cast-encased foot, Ran flipped up a table into Shampoo's face. In the two seconds it took the Amazon warrior to demolish the table into kindling with her right blade, Ran used the arm rest of her right crutch to catch the bottom of the pommel of Shampoo's left saber, diving it up out of the Amazon's hand to impale itself into the restaurant's ceiling. In the same action, the redheaded martial artist slide her left crutch down Shampoo's right sword, hooked the hand guard and yanked it out of her hand.
For a moment Shampoo stood there, staring at Ran, both hands numbed and trembling, with everyone expecting the Amazon to pull out more weapons. Instead Ran didn't give her a chance, in one hop on her good leg, the female martial artist embraced the super-cute Amazon, holding her tight about the waist and shoulders, a pair of petite lips whispering, "Gomen nasai, Xian Pu."
Shampoo was always told it wasn't the Amazon way to cry. Only men were weak and craven, only men cared nothing about those they wound and hurt with lies. An Amazon was a warrior of honor and virtue, a female soldier able to succeed against all comers with her wits and skills. With all of years of training and teaching, yet Shampoo couldn't stop tears welling up out of her pretty eyes, her hands clutching to Ran's shoulder while her face press to the redhead's neck, her wails muffled.
The students of Fuurinkan High School relaxed, knowing the duel was over, with some of them moving to the exits and a few exchanging money on bets. Hiroshi and Diasuke let go of Ukyo, who gave both boys dirty looks, letting them know in no uncertain terms how lucky they were she was disabled and unarmed. The cross-dresser stood behind Ran, watching while Shampoo’s shoulders shook as she continue to cry, the tall teenager knew the same tortured feelings the Amazon was experiencing.
When Cologne and Nabiki joined Ukyo, Shampoo pulled back from Ran, rubbing her reddened eyes, her voice choking with emotions, saying in Mandarin Chinese, "I am ready to go back to Joketsuzoku, Great-Grandmother. I have failed the Kiss of Marriage and I cannot fulfill the Kiss of Death on Ranm...on Ran, I have neither the skill nor the will to do so."
"No, Xian Pu," Ran's Mandarin Chinese was very rusty, "You no go and die. This Twentieth Century, not barbaric era where failure rewarded with death."
"There is no need for anymore soap opera," Cologne balanced on her walking stick, her Mandarin Chinese sounded very old, "and former Son-in-Law is correct in one way. You are not going back to Joketsuzoku and face the Council’s judgment."
"How wonderful it is for everyone to speak in a foreign language," Nabiki drew puzzled looks from the others, "I can't help it I majored in English instead of Classic Chinese," her eyes locking on Ran's baby blues, "although I am surprised how good your street Chinese is, Ran-chan."
"Arigato," Ran turned to Cologne, the redhead switching back to Japanese, "What do you mean, Kuh Lon? You are the highest elder of Joketsuzoku. By your own words you are the bearer of Amazon law and its enforcer."
"That is correct, Ran-chan," Cologne's expression no longer showing sadness, "and Xian Pu would suffer the full weight of Amazon tradition," a smile showing on her thin lips, "if she was still an Amazon."
Hiroshi spit out the tea he was drinking while Daisuke's eyes widen, "Nani!" came from the rest of the crowd, except for Nabiki, who grinned like Godzilla stomping through Tokyo. Of course this drew Ran's attention, "Nabiki-neechan, is this what you were thinking about earlier na?"
"Guilty as charged," Nabiki folded her arms over her chest, "after spending hours with my laptop, researching Amazon culture, reading about its laws and relationships with different governments their villages are located in, I found enough information that I could use just in case Akane did win the Inazuke 500 Race, or at least some sort of defense in case my dear little sister ended up in Amazon court on a charge of murdering a certain purple-haired hellcat."
Shampoo looked at Cologne, then at Nabiki before returning to her great-grandmother, pointing at herself, "Me not Amazon?"
"When the constitution for Japan was created by occupation forces of the United States of America, under General Douglas McArthur, it was done so it appeared the to be the work of the Japanese intermediary government," Nabiki held up her notebook, the one she had shown Cologne during the duel between Shampoo and Ran, "as such this constitution was immediately adopted without checking all of the fine print, including giving all Japanese women the right to vote, a guarantee representation of all political organizations in the Japanese Diet and one very important clause."
"Which is?" Ran was sure Nabiki wanted a dramatic moment.
"The Chinese Amazon Citizenship," Cologne smiled at Nabiki's answer, while Shampoo looked just as confused as Ukyo, while Ran sighed and crossed her arms, "you see, United States intelligence service already concluded the democratic government of China was going to fail in its civil war against the Chinese Communists in 1948, which is why then United States Secretary of State, former General of the Army George Marshall, advised then United States President Harry Truman to end American support for democratic government of China. He had concluded further support of a corrupt government would only lead to more years of famine, death and suffering on the part of the Chinese people."
"How does this history lesson connect to this clause?" Ukyo was fascinated by Nabiki's narrative.
“The American occupation administration in Japan saw the writing on the wall, and knew it was only a matter of time before a complete takeover of mainland China by the Chinese Communists, which could also mean several of China's minorities could become targets of repression by the new government," Nabiki's tone showed she was really getting into it, "so with the permission of the commander of the American Occupation Forces of Japan, General Douglas McArthur, the Chinese Amazon Citizenship clause was added way down in the multiple paragraphs of the constitution."
"This was something I didn't know about," Cologne admitted as she looked up at Nabiki, "the Chinese Amazons did fight against the Japanese during the last world war, but we establish no alliances or accept aid from any outsiders. The only time we actually worked with outsiders was with some American meteorologists, who accidentally parachuted into the middle of an Amazon village."
"Those Amazons must have left a positive impression on those American soldiers," Ran was finally seeing where Nabiki was going, "Nabiki-neechan, this clause, it gives Chinese Amazons a chance for Japanese citizenship wa?"
"Hai," Nabiki grinned a little wider, "as you know, while women were given full citizenship under the constitution, others were not, including anyone who wasn't pure Japanese, like the Korean families brought to Japan as laborers during the 20th and 19th Century and even earlier. This is the only clause that allows a non-Japanese to become a Japanese citizen."
"I be Japanese?" Shampoo was still very confused, but the tone of her voice was hopeful, "But Kiss of Death? The Amazon Council."
"I'm not allowing my only great-granddaughter to suffer anymore from the judgments of old fools, including myself," as Cologne spoke, Nabiki pulled out an official application from her notebook, holding it so everyone could see the letterhead: Japanese Citizenship Form. Most of the form was already filled out in flowing Japanese handwriting, signed at the bottom by the elder matriarch's signature and her seal.
Ran leaned down to look closer to the document, noting Nabiki's signature below Cologue's signature, along with the Tendo Soun's seal, "I hope Soun can handle having another girl around the house."
"He handled having his youngest daughter marrying another girl pretty well," Nabiki's teeth flashed, bringing laughter from the others, before she turned to Shampoo, "I know it is a lot to take in all at once, Xian Pu, but isn't this better than slavery or forcing Ran to kill you wa yo."
Shampoo nodded slowly before turning to Cologne, bowing to the elder, “Thank you, Great-grandmother,” her face tearstained, I...I never wanted disappoint you...I hoped make you very proud of me."
"I was always proud of you, Xian Pu," Cologne reached out and gently squeezed one of Shampoo's hands, "and I still am. This is the beginning of a new future and not just for you. In this world of weapons that can wipe out whole cities in a blink of an eye, the isolation of the Amazon villages no longer protects them. Becoming a ward of the Tendo family will give you the refuge to grow and learn. While you will no longer be a part of any Amazon village, you are still blood of my blood, your soul a kin to my soul. My prayers will be for you upon your journey into this new brave world."
Shampoo gently kissed Cologne's wrinkled cheek, before straightening, looking at Nabiki, "Let me get my things from my room."
Nabiki nodded and while Shampoo went up stairs, Nabiki went to support Ran since there wasn’t much left of her crutches, the redhead saying, "I hope Akane will be okay with this arrangement."
"Why do you say that, Ran-neechan?" Ukyo got out the broom and dustpan to help clean up the broken cups and dishes.
"Ran-chan is worried that Akane will think it is a big plot to keep Ranma's harem together," Nabiki held her little sister around her waist with the martial artist doing the same, the older sister displayed a toothy grin, "and maybe it is or maybe it isn't."
"Oya maa..." Ukyo paled a little, remembering Akane's temper and for once glad she wasn't in Ran's shoes.
********
