Most of the characters within the story are from the Anime Series,
Ranma 1/2 and are property of Rumiko Takahashi, and whoever else may
own the rights. I write this without permission and do so with no
attempt to profit off of the marvelous works. Rather, I do so for
everyone's benefit. Please enjoy and tell me what you think.


In the end, there is often times said to be a bright light at the end
of a narrow tunnel, beckoning the bodiless souls to the afterlife.
For Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of Anything-Goes Martial
Arts, that is true, but he is not headed towards the afterlife. A
darker, more sinister, fate lies in store for him, one filled with
false promises and double meanings. Everything comes with a price,
and life bears the greatest of them all.

             ********************************************
             *A Ranma 1/2 Fanfiction: Mists of Jusenkyou*
             ********************************************
              Chapter Two of In Search of the South Star
                             by Ryan Erik

                   Part One: Memories of Her

    An eerie silence permeated the room as a shocked Ranma stared at
the young man with disbelief written in her eyes. No matter how much
she wanted to disregard his words as a lie, she could not. He had
told her his name with a great deal of shame in his voice, but his
honest tone erased some of her doubt of his truthfulness. She wanted
to say something, but nothing intelligent came to her mind.
    "You did this to me!" Preparing to attack, she tried to jump out
of the bed, but her legs disagreed. "I'm gonna kill you!" Her words,
though rash, were a promise.
    "Please! You promised that you would listen first! I did nothing
of the sort!" He backed up to the edge of the room. "Please, listen
to my whole story before you jump to conclusions." Full of hatred,
her eyes narrowed at him. "Please?"
    She turned her head in disgust and snorted. "Okay," she conceded.
Happosai turned back around facing her, his expression sad. "Explain
now, old man." She didn't know what was going on, but he had better
give her a good explanation.
    As he was about to answer, her stomach grumbled angrily
expressing its hunger. Warding off the feeling of unease within
herself, she stared at him icily. He took a moment to compose himself
before answering, "There is one word that completely explains my
situation. Jusenkyo."
    A mixture of anger and confusion seeped through Ranma at the
realization. Before she had a chance to say anything, Happosai
continued. "I drank the water at your wedding, believing it was
sake." More anger coursed through Ranma. "The change was slow, but
after a while it was quite obvious, though it worked like yours did
before your coma. Shortly after, I was thrown out of the Tendo
Training Hall with good reason."
    "Pops and Tendo-san finally worked up enough courage to toss you
out?" She never thought that of her father and Tendo-san as nothing
more than cowards, but she could have been wrong about them.
    "It was not Genma or Soun who did so, but someone else."
Steel-gray eyes regarded her curiously before continuing. "I had
caused them a great wrong, and between Ryouga and my two students,
they managed to kick me out and have me jailed."
    Ranma almost burst out into laughter but motioned for him to
continue. "In a fit of anger, I decided that I'd go and teach them a
lesson, but I never got a chance."
    "What do you mean?" Slightly intrigued by the story, Ranma swung
her feet over the bed, and rested her head on her hand in an attempt
to get more comfortable. "Did they stop you?"
    "No, they did not." Happosai returned to his seat and scratched
his head. "I stopped myself." She looked at him incredulously. "It
was a side effect of the curse that forced me to see the error of my
ways. Whether you believe it or not, I am a changed man. When I first
realized the curse was affecting me in more then one way, I
immediately went to Jusenkyo."
    Absorbed in what he was saying, she moved in a little closer. He
continued, "I talked with the guide, but he had little to tell me
about the psychological side effects of the water that he sent to
you. He could only tell me that all of the water in Jusenkyo caused
its victim to change in more ways than one. The spring of the drowned
young man, apparently, can make its victim thoughtful, kind and very
honorable."
    Starting to giggle, she could hold back no longer. "You - hehe -
honorable?"
    After her giggles subsided he continued where he stopped. "I felt
guilt over my actions for the first time in many years. The curse
made me realize so many things, which I will not get into at this
time. I decided that my best punishment would be being cursed
permanently as to experience the guilt in full, so I jumped in a
second time." The mood in the room suddenly became somber.
    "For three years I lived in China making atonement for my sins. I
have forgiven myself since then, and have tried to become a better
person, which leads to my finding you." He took a while before
returning to the story causing an uncomfortable silence. "It has been
seventeen years since your disappearance from Nerima. I only found
you six years ago. I created an identity for you and placed you here
soon after, with a fresh medical history. That is why the doctors
only believe you to have been in a coma for six years, rather than
seventeen."
    Not knowing what to say, Ranma slid off the bed and stood. "If
expect me to swallow that, don't hold your breath." She glared at him
again. "Now, *my* curse is permanent? Do you know for a fact?"
    His head hung low, he nodded slowly. "I tried to change you back
shortly after I found you. That, pieced together with your altered
aura, shows that the curse is now permanent."
    "Can't I just jump into the drowned man spring like you?"
    He shook his head, still looking at the floor. "Once a person
jumps into a pool for a second time, they are no longer affected by
Jusenkyo's waters."
    Quizzically, she asked, "What did ya mean by that change in my
aura bit?"
    "Ever since I have known you, you have had a brilliant blue aura.
As you know, the color and shade of each person's aura tells us a
little bit about their nature. Your aura's color probably came from
your remarkable confidence and pride, and it was definitely
unmistakable from any other. While it has not lost its color
completely, it is now shaded pink in some of its areas. Pink, as you
know, is a mixture of red and white. Normally white is a sort of
purity and red is anger, being long lasting emotions."
    Blinking in confusion, the meaning obviously escaping her, she
said, "Huh?"
    "Think of it this way, Ranma-chan. Our aura is like a signature.
While it may be slightly different every time we see it, it is never
completely different. The shade of pink was *never* there before."
    "What does this have to do with you knowing the curse is
permanent now?" This was just too much to swallow. She knew that she
had a blue aura, and she has seen Ryouga's dark green one, but never
had she thought of it in that way.
    Taking a deep breath, he finished, "It happened to mine also,
Ranma. My aura has changed. While it was once a dark grayish-blue
lined with white, look at it now." After speaking, he closed his eyes
drawing his chi energy around him.
    Ranma's jaw dropped in astonishment. He was right. His aura was
now unmistakably purple. "H-h-how?"
    "I'll do my best to explain this. In every pool in Jusenkyo, a
victim drowned. While it passes on its physical form, it also passes
on a piece of its soul. The alien soul inside of us sometimes is
strong enough to influence changes within us. I allowed the spirit of
the drowned young man in, and I merged with him. While I am still
myself, his influence is obvious." Eyes full of pity, he looked at
Ranma and sighed.
    "Yeah, you haven't tried to glomp me once!" The grin on her face
was slightly forced, but they both laughed anyway. "So you're sayin'
this drowned girl is inside me or something?"
    He nodded.
    Deciding that she had better change the subject, she asked, "Can
you get my clothes?" She saw a look of curiosity erase his outward
shame so she explained, "I don't know where they are, and this blue
thingy," she motioned to her hospital apron by tugging her sleeve a
bit, "isn't appropriate to wear outside." He nodded and lifted a bag,
hidden behind a chair. From it, he pulled out a pair of black jeans
and a red long-sleeved shirt. Ranma eyed him curiously before saying,
"Those aren't mine. Where's my Chinese clothes? And what about my
boxers?"
    Fishing through the bag, Happosai procured a square piece of
clothing wrapped in clear plastic and tossed it to her. Holding it up
before her, she looked at the package of blue panties.
    "Gimme a break," she said dryly. "You don't really expect me to
wear these?"
    "Ranma..." he started, but did not finish. "I have no idea where
the clothes you came in here with are, but these are now yours. As to
the underwear, if you don't like them, you are welcome to try wearing
tight jeans without them."
    Looking at the tight black jeans lying in her arms, she rolled
her eyes in disgust. "Guess old Happi ain't completely gone," she
muttered, her eyes flashing.
    "Think whatever you will of me," he said, guilt still sounding
deeply in his voice. "I purchased those because they were the least
feminine ones that I could find."
    "Oh, thank you for being so considerate!" she said, her tones
acidic.
    "Please wear this also. I know you'll disagree, but unless you
wear them, it will be very obvious that you are not. It might bring
unwanted attention. Let me stress the unwanted part again." Pulling
from the bag another package, Ranma carefully took it.
    "Argh!" The package contained a few bras in it. "I may have to
wear the panties, but there is no way that I'm going to fulfill your
little hentai fantasies." She paled noticeably just thinking about
not only wearing panties, but a bra too.
    "Suit yourself."
    "Turn your back." Ranma wasn't about to make the mistake of
disrobing before Happosai, or anyone else for that matter. After he
did so, she ripped off the blue apron and put her legs through a pair
of blue cloth panties. Though they probably looked horrible, she had
to admit they fit very well.
    "If I even catch you looking, I'm going to hit you with so many
Chestnut fists that there'll be nothin' left!" She pushed her arms
through the red shirt's sleeves and worked it over her head. "This
won't fit me *when* I turn into a guy, ya know."
    Her jeans were a little more difficult to put on, this being the
first pair she had ever owned, and she noted that they fit her
tightly. "These definitely won't fit me when I change back. You can
turn around."
    Turning around, he coughed, "Ahem," and promptly turned back
around.
    "What?"
    "You really, really should wear the bra. Look in the hand
mirror."
    "Huh?" Grabbing up the small mirror from the table beside her
bed, she looked at her chest. Though the shirt may have been on her
thin frame, it might as well not have been. Her nipples were very
visible through it.
    Her face flushed bright red and she quickly removed the red shirt
and applied the bra, much to her disgust. "You probably did that on
purpose." She then put the red shirt one once more. "I should deck
you for that." She finished dressing and adjusted her clothing.
"Okay, I'm done."
    Sighing in relief that he didn't need to press his point any
further, Happosai turned back around and faced her. "I'm very sorry
about that. I forgot how...busty you are."
    Indignantly, she walked to the door and opened it. "Are ya coming
or what?" She heard him obediently get up and follow.

        *        *        *

    Blue eyes widened in surprise when they took in the surroundings.
Lush green trees dominated the scenery as she looked out the window
of Happosai's car. "Where the hell are we?" She rolled down her
window and partially stuck her head out breathing in the sweet air.
There were very few people out, due to the time of day. The houses in
the area had a strange design, looking like something he'd seen in an
architecture magazine that she idly read while at Dr. Tofu's.
    "Welcome to Monterey." Happosai turned to look over at her for a
second.
    Ranma thought for a moment, but did not remember ever hearing of
a city named "Monterey" in Japan. It didn't sound Japanese at all.
"Where the hell is Monterey?"
    "In California."
    "California?! How in God's name did I get here?!"
    "I don't know."
    "That doesn't help, ya know." She stuck her right hand out the
window directing some of the cold air inside to rush by her. A smile
blessed her face and she turned to him. "Is this some suburb or
somethin'?"
    "Actually, all of Monterey is like this. Some places are nicer."
    "That's why you live here?"
    "Hai."
    Pressing her head against the right side of the car, the air
refreshed her. It reminded her of the breezes that would pick up in
the mountains. Traveling through China showed her the beauty that
nature itself offered, but now she had the chance to see what beauty
man offered.
    Her mind shifted back to what Happosai had told her earlier. She
could not change back to a guy. Biting her lip, she knew she had to
take this calm and rationally, but it was too damn hard! All of her
life, her father drilled into her head ideas that women were weak and
emotional, something that Ranma should never be. Now, physically, she
was a woman, and *if* this curse was permanent, would she began to
think like one?
    'No!' her mind screamed. 'I will always be me!' The thought of
losing herself to the curse was more frightening than losing her
manhood. She had to admit though, not being a man was going to be
challenge, one she did not want know to know if she could handle.
    "You're taking this very well, Ranma." Happosai said without
turning to her.
    "That's because I still don't believe you." She glared at him.
"I'm still getting over you being Happosai." She looked him over
again. He had a nice profile, looked quite strong, very healthy and
was very handsome. Definitely not Happosai.
    "Where did that come from?" Ranma could not believe she thought
THAT about HIM!
    "Nani?" Happosai asked in obvious confusion.
    "Nothing," Ranma replied quickly, having not intended to say that
out loud. Pushing her last thoughts into her subconscious she tried
to change her train of thought.
    "What am I supposed to call you? You got an alias or somethin'?"
She grimly smiled to herself. One thing about this whole mess that
seemed promising was that it reminded her of something from a spy
flick she saw once. Though the guy in it wasn't much of a martial
artist, he was really cool. He had all kinds of disguises that would
allow him to do all sorts of spy things.
    "My name here is Kiyoshi Nishiyama." He then turned his head to
look at her after he stopped for a red light. "You're Kimiko
Nishiyama, my sister."
    Ranma considered this. "Wait a minute here! Don't I getta choose
my own name?" The thought of being someone's sister, while
'undercover' didn't bother her as much as the fact that she did not
get to choose her own alias.
    "This is not a game, Ranma-chan." His face expressed no emotion
while he talked. "This is your new identity. Ranma Saotome is
officially dead in Japan."
    "D-d-dead?" she managed to squeak.
    "Hai."
    Shock finally set in as it washed away nearly all of her
remaining denial. All of the cold hard realities that Happosai had
laid out before her seemed to finally be taking effect. Ranma Saotome
of the Anything Goes School of martial arts was dead. Seventeen years
had passed and she was far away from her home in Japan.
    After two years of living with the Tendos, she had matured
greatly and she knew it too. She fell in love with a girl who, after
a few years, accepted her cursed form. Her life was beginning to make
sense after so many years of fleeing from all of the troubles that
she, and her father had brought about. She had overcome her paranoia
of her curse, now no longer thinking that others saw her differently
because of it. She had friends, family, and Akane.
    Now everything was gone, everything she had worked so hard to
achieve. Ranma Saotome was dead. He was dead.


    "It wasn't an accident, was it?" The beautiful light, that made
Happosai love Ranma for who she was, had extinguished. She had always
been so carefree and full of life, much like he was in his early
years.
    "No." He wasn't happy about telling her the whole truth, but it
was better this way. He had to tell her everything; keeping things
from her would only made things worse in the end. He lost far to many
friends and loved ones to secrets and lies to repeat the past.
    "Whoever did this to me is going to pay."
    He looked at her again. Her face caught the sun, eyes shining
bright but lacking life.
    "I know."

        *        *        *

    Amanda Childs worked, tirelessly cooking one of the finest meals
she had ever attempted, in her opinion. Though many people
complimented that her meals were fabulous, she was always to modest
to consider herself a good cook, but today she cooked her best.
Everything had to be just right for Kiyoshi's little sister, Kimiko
who was coming home for the first time after six years of
hospitalization. She always liked to give the best first impressions
possible, and today would be no different.
    The happiness written on her face was undeniable. Today she would
have someone new to care of. If she wasn't mistaken, Kimiko was about
nine when she went into a coma and would need more than just
tutoring. Her first joy was children, and this was a job she looked
forward to.
    Stretching her arms above her head, she hummed happily while
waiting for the food to finish. A few minutes later, the timer went
off and she pulled her creation from the oven, carefully avoiding
burning herself.
    Having visited Kimiko a month ago, Amanda was startled at how
beautiful the young girl was, looking to be a few years older than
fifteen. With proper make-up and clothing, little Kimiko would be
radiantly beautiful. A smile blossomed on Amanda's face realizing
that the two of them would have to go shopping tomorrow.
    Right after watching and taking care of children, came shopping.
Kiyoshi was very generous and basically allowed her to buy herself
whatever she desired. Though she did enjoy shopping for herself a
great deal, shopping for others delighted her even more. Since little
Miss Kimiko would need a full wardrobe, it might take several days
for them to complete the task.

    Having prepared dinner for the Nishiyamas, she made her way to
the large living room and flicked on the television. Surfing through
over two hundred channels gave her a wide variety of options.

    After concluding that nothing was on television, Amanda decided
to take a nap, but was quickly awoken by the sound of car doors
slamming shut. They had finally arrived!

        *        *        *

    The remainder of the car ride was spent in silence. Ranma kept
herself busy looking at the scenery while Happosai concentrated on
driving. The silence ended when they neared their destination.
    "Remember, I am Kiyoshi and you are Kimiko. I cannot have anyone
asking questions about why we would call each other anything else."
Breaking the car until it reached gated housing section, Happosai
lowered the driver's side window and leaned out far enough to reach a
metal panel. He pressed a combination of buttons opening the gate.
    "Hai," Ranma replied unenthusiastically.
    "Would you mind if I called you Kimchan?" Ranma only replied to
his question shrugging. "Kimchan it is."
    Slowly driving his car through the gates, Happosai cast a
concerned glance at his companion. The life seemed to have been
drained out of her, with good reason. She lost her whole existence
and now had to settle for an old man in a young man's body, one whom
she had previously hated with a passion. He was surprised that she
was holding up this well.
    Driving into his housing complexes, which was composed mainly of
rich families, he returned the waves of his female neighbors. The
women around him were very friendly, and he enjoyed every second of
their attention. After nearly a hundred years of being shunned by
every woman in the world, he grew accustomed to being without female
companionship. Now it seemed he could get nearly any woman he wanted,
and he did not want to take it for granted, nor would he take
advantage of his gift.
    "As I told you earlier, we are meeting a young lady, named Amanda
Childs." Glancing over at her again, he went over what they had
earlier again. "She will help you with whatever you need while I am
unable. She also likes to cook for me when I eat in. Her cooking is
the American equivalent of Kasumi's."
    Ranma turned her head to face forward, still seeming not to pay
attention. Her pale skin glowed in the light of day, making her seem
fragile. Long, fiery red bangs blew to and fro as the cool air
circulated through the car.
    "Are you doing okay, Kimchan?" Happosai said, emphasizing her new
name.
    "Hai."
    He nodded and turned, driving up to a house and stopping.
Removing the keys from the ignition and opening the door, he looked
at Ranma again before exiting the vehicle and closing the door behind
him.
    Walking around to the other side of the car, he opened the
passenger side door, allowing Ranma to exit. She did so without
second thought and she followed him up a narrow pathway which led to
the door of a very large, three-story house.
    "You live here?" Ranma asked curiously.
    "Hai," he answered. "The man, who adopted both of us and left me
this house, liked the neighborhood, and decided that he wouldn't move
no matter how much money he earned." He watched as she looked at the
house in awe.
    "Someone adopted me?" She raised an eyebrow in disbelief and
confusion. "Someone adopted *you*?"
    "Hai, Nobukazu Nishiyama adopted me, then you, after I discovered
you still lived. Unfortunately, he passed away last year and was
unable to be here when you woke up. He left me his estate, business
and accounts. I will tell you the whole story another time."
    Before he could even get close enough to the door to reach the
knob, it swung open revealing a beautiful, blonde-haired woman who
looked to be in her mid-twenties. Ranma jumped back a little, but
Kiyoshi, used to such behavior from the blonde, only smiled.
    "Kiyo-kun!" her melodic voice rang out in Japanese with a mild
American accent. "And you must be young Kimiko-san. It is so good to
finally meet you. I am Amanda Childs." She bowed to the both of them.
    "Hello, Amanda-san." Kiyoshi could tell that the blonde was
desperately restraining herself from grabbing Ranma up in a bear hug.
    "It's good to meet you, Amanda-san." Ranma greeted with a bow.
    "Oh, both of you, come in before you catch a chill!"
    Ushering the two into the house, Amanda closed the door behind
them.

        *        *        *

    Ranma's eyes opened wide when she witnessed the interior of
Happosai's house. The hall itself was a square room which lead up to
the next floor by a broad stairway and to both her left and right.
Exotic paintings covered the walls creating a museum-like atmosphere.
Laying across the floor, a red carpet led straight up the stairs from
the doorway. A blue ceramic vase with odd, coiled designs,
accompanied by a lamp, sat atop a small wooden table to the left of
the stairway.
    Following Happosai and the blonde woman upstairs, Ranma walked
slowly looking at each painting that they passed closely. The first
couple did not really catch her attention, but the third most
certainly did. A large dragon lay motionless in mid-flight, breathing
orange-red flames. Below it, helpless victims of the dragon's wrath
ran from their burning homes. The detail of the painting itself was
very elaborate. She would have to ask Kiyoshi about it sometime.
    Arriving at a door, Amanda turned the knob and allowed her two
companions to enter before she walked in. After following Kiyoshi
into the room, Ranma figured out the meaning of their visitation of
this particular one. The light green pastel paint covering the walls
created a serene environment. It was only complimented by the dark
green covers of the bed that lay centered in the room, the head of
the bed up against the far wall. A vanity mirror lay to one side of
the bed with an empty desk to the other.
    "This will be your room, Kimchan," 'Kiyoshi' told her. "Though
the closet and dresser are empty, Amanda will take you to fill them
tomorrow after breakfast." He patted her shoulder and left the two
girls, saying before he left, "I will see you at dinner."


    When the door shut behind Kiyoshi, Amanda motioned for Kimiko to
sit on her bed and did likewise after the younger girl. She looked at
the redhead. Her beautiful fiery hair sat tangled on her shoulders.
Her skin was very pale and her features were gaunt, but that did not
detract much from her beauty. Amanda figured that Kimiko could easily
be a model with the proper diet and grooming, not to mention
clothing.
    "I hope you like your room," Amanda said trying to spark a
conversation. She wanted to learn all she could about her; they would
be spending quite a lot of time together. Since Kimiko missed the
last six years, she would probably have only been nine years of age
when she went into her coma; therefore, she would most likely have
missed the mother to daughter talks of puberty, boys and everything
in those areas of conversation. This excited Amanda quite a bit,
because she always wanted to have a daughter, and Kimiko would almost
constitute as one, considering her brother was her only living
relative.
    "It's more than I'm used to," Kimiko said weakly not really
paying attention to anything in particular. She looked up and met
Amanda's eyes. "Is dinner almost ready? I'm starving."
    Seeing Kimiko's startling blue eyes, Amanda smiled at the girl.
"It should be ready in less than a half an hour. You're welcome to
explore the house until then." After receiving the girl's nod, she
stood up and began to walk out. "If you need someone to talk to about
anything, I'm here for you. I hope we can be friends." She smiled
broadly at the girl and left the room.


    After the blonde left, Ranma fell back on the bed given to her.
So many things had happened in the last few hours and she was having
difficulty sorting through it all. If she thought her life before was
strange, this certainly made an ironic ending.
    Fighting every martial artist from Japan to China, she never
thought that she would be defeated like this. She had figured that
someone would eventually defeat her in the heat of combat, but to not
even know what had happened to her...how could this be real?
    It felt like only yesterday she was holding Akane in her arms and
smelling the fragrance of soap in her hair while watching the stars.
They made a promise together that night, that they would love each
other forever no matter what happened.
    Pressing her hand to her chest, her heart ached with loneliness.
If what Kiyoshi told her was true, Akane could be lost to her forever
with an ocean between them. Trying to hold back sobs, she closed her
eyes envisioning Akane's beautiful face in their last night together.
Ranma would love Akane forever as she had promised.
    Hearing Amanda call from downstairs, she realized that she failed
in not crying, tears streaking down her face. Wiping her cheeks with
the sleeve of her shirt, she sat up and took a close look at her
room. It was very empty, but it still contained more furniture than
the one she had shared with her father. Her reflection, from the
mirror hung to her right of her bed, stared back at her. She looked
at herself noticing the puffy rings around her eyes caused from
crying.
    "Are you well, Kimchan?" Kiyoshi said, startling her.
    "Hai," she turned to face him, his eyes regarding her sadly. "I
wasn't crying. S-something was in my eye." Closing her eyes and
inwardly shouting at herself for such a stupid excuse, knowing he saw
through that one.
    "Of course not. Dinner's ready. I'll show you to the dining
room."

        *        *        *

    After they had dinner, Kiyoshi showed Ranma to the backyard. As
large as the house was, the backyard nearly doubled its size. Neatly
trimmed grass covered most of the ground besides a fenced off area
near the door to the house. What caught her eye the most, though, was
the pond in the center.
    Ranma approached the pool cautiously looking over into its
waters. Just as she suspected, koi swam in its depths. Tracing her
finger in the water, she smiled. This reminded her of the Tendo's koi
pond, down to the rocks surrounding it and to the type of fish
inside.
    "I had that put in two years ago," Kiyoshi told her. "Gives you
fond memories of home, ne?"
    She nodded and went back to staring at the koi. "I'm going to
hang out here for a while and think," she said to him and he returned
to the house.
    Sitting on a rock, she wrapped her arms around herself, staring
intently at the pond. There were so many memories linked with the
Tendo's, since he had been thrown in it almost every day for two
years. A smile worked its way to her face after a few of them
surfaced.
    She held out a hand before her, looking closely at her palm.
Tracing a finger down the largest line on her hand, she remembered
what an old fortune teller had told her about it. The length of that
particular line was supposed to be her lifeline. The old woman had
told her that she had one of the longest that she had ever seen, and
considering the age of the woman, that must have covered many people.
    Closing her eyes and breathing in the fresh air one more time,
she decided it was time to go indoors. Crossing the way to the door,
the cool grass tickled her toes. Before she could open the door, it
slid open.
    "Hello, Kimiko," Amanda greeted, her smile never leaving her
lips. "I thought you'd like to take a bath, so I prepared one for
you."
    "Hai, I'd like that very much."

        *        *        *

    Ranma followed Amanda upstairs and into the bathroom where she
was handed a towel.
    "If you need anything, just yell." She turned to leave and added
before closing the door, "My room is down the hall."
    After the door clicked shut, Ranma looked around the large,
spacious bathroom. Unlike the Tendo's bathroom, this one was made up
of only one large room. The floral patterns on the tile screamed in
neon pinks and yellows. Equally pink towels hung from the rack on the
painted yellow wall.
    Filled to the top with hot water, the tub beckoned her.
Shrugging, she tugged her clothes off and tossed them onto the floor.
Not wanting to see herself in the mirror, she averted her eyes from
its direction. Finding soap, she entered the shower and quickly
scrubbed herself down. After rinsing with the cold water, she entered
the tub.
    Sighing in contentment, she lowered herself into the tub,
enjoying the warmth the water offered. A strange feeling crept up her
spine causing her to look at her shape. Kiyoshi had told her the
truth.
    As she realized that the rest of what he had told her was
probably true, her body shook with sobs. Her last shred of denial was
forcefully ripped from her. Shutting her eyes tight, her crying
stopped as abruptly as they begin as a calm aura crept over her.
    "Everything will be okay, Ranma-chan," the familiar voice said to
her softly as if whispering into her ear.
    Eyes opening wide, she sat up straight, looking for the source of
the voice. "Who's there?" she whispered, fearing the answer. The
unoccupied bath water in front of her threatened to spill over the
edge of tub.
    "I am, my love."
    Knowing that no one was around, Ranma closed her eyes, a single
tear spilling down her cheek. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a
warm hand wipe it off.
    "Who are you?" Ranma asked, already guessing the answer.
    A picture of a girl of about twenty years of age formed in her
head. Her raven-black hair spilled into her face and down onto her
shoulders. Her face was very pale as if death had already taken her,
but beautiful. Her finely chiseled features would have made any woman
jealous and any man envious. Her clothing seemed to have seen better
days and she recognized that, at one time, must have been quite
expensive. What took all of Ranma's attention, though, were her eyes.
Like emeralds sparkling in the sunlight of a new day, her eyes shined
with life and vitality that her body did not seem to possess. Her
outstretched hand retreated from Ranma's face.
    "I was once called Lillith a very long time ago," the girl
answered with her sweet musical voice. "You can call me Lilly if you
wish."
    Unable to say anything more, Ranma opened her eyes and was
shocked once more seeing the girl sitting in the tub in front of her.
Her clothes were completely wet and torn and a faint white aura was
visible around her. She raised her hand again, wiping Ranma's cheek
clean of fresh tears.
    "Don't cry, Ranma-chan. I can't stand seeing you cry."
    Letting out a breath she had held for a good amount of time,
Ranma's sobs started anew. Her vision blurred and she put her hands
to her face. The warm embrace that followed caused her to relax some,
and she rested her chin on her Lilly's shoulder.
    "Hush, hush, love. Everything will be okay."
    From the door to the bathroom, she heard a knock. "Are you okay
in there, Kimiko-san?" Amanda's voice asked from outside. "I thought
I heard talking."
    "I'm fine!" Ranma called back gently pushing Lilly out of their
embrace. "You drowned in Jusenkyo," she stated.
    "Hai, fifteen hundred years ago."
    Sapphire met emerald as they stared at each other. Ranma felt the
warmth in Lilly's eyes and the true, deep sorrow in her words. This
was the one whose body she took even now wore...whose body she stole
upon falling in the dark waters of Jusenkyo.
    "Oh no, love!" Lilly said with a tone that almost implied humor.
"Your body was merely changed in my waters, but it is still your
own." Her smile sent waves of warmth up Ranma's spine.
    "But... how come you're here?" Pulling together her wits, Ranma
sniffed a few times before wiping her wet face with her wrist, only
spreading the water. "I don't understand."
    "You released me from my ethereal bonds when you fell into
Nyanniichuan. I felt a kindred soul and drew myself towards it,
towards you. I was trapped there, and now I am free."
    "That doesn't make any sense. If you're free, shouldn't you be in
heaven or something?"
    "Heaven lies within us all, and to find it one must be ready. I
am far from being ready enough to make that journey, love. To be
prepared, I must first repay my debt to you, my liberator. It is a
debt that I wish to repay with all of my soul."
    Taking Ranma's head in her hands, Lillith kissed the redhead on
her cheek and released her. "I am always here for you, love. If you
need someone to comfort you, just call my name."
    "When you are ready, I will come again." Her physical form fading
from existence, Lilly waved her hand slowly, smiling.

    After her soak, Ranma pulled herself from the tub and grabbed the
disgustingly pink towel from its place on the rack. After she dried
each foot before placing them on the floor, she quickly dried herself
off and walked up to the sink. Staring at the slightly fogged mirror,
something bothered her about her reflection.
    Using her towel to make a circular hole in the layer of steamed
on the mirror, Ranma looked at her own startled face, eyes wide with
shock. Her features were somehow different. Where as before they
seemed roughly the same age as her male form, at eighteen years of
age, now she could swear that she looked approximately as old as she
did when she first received her curse at sixteen years of age. This
was the face that she saw back in the hospital without realizing the
semi-startling difference from her old female self's appearance.
    Not wanting to explore this new development any further, she
quickly dressed and exited the bathroom into the cool air of the rest
of the house.

        *        *        *

    Morning light shed into her room through the dark green blinds on
the window in Ranma's room. Shifting restlessly, her eyes slowly
opened and she yawned deeply, putting a hand over her mouth. Her
sleep had been strangely pleasant and she felt completely refreshed,
physically at least.
    She weakly stood up and limped over to the blinds, opening them
wide to look out the window. The streets were empty but for a few
children playing on the lawn of the house in front of Kiyoshi's.
Sliding the window open, the cool sweet air gently blew into her
room.
    She knelt down and rested her elbow on the window seal watching
the children play with mild interest. They were all dressed in
loose-fitting, bright clothing and played with a ball roughly the
size of a soccer ball, kicking it in between each other. The ball had
a surprising amount of energy behind it as it soared from child to
child.
    Hearing a knock on the door, Ranma slowly walked over and opened
it revealing Amanda's cheery figure.
    "Good morning, Kimiko-san. Breakfast is ready."
    Needing no more reason to get ready, Ranma threw on her clothes
and rushed down the stairs as quickly as she could, though her legs
seemed strangely tired.

    After the strange, but surprisingly good, breakfast of pancakes
and fruit, Ranma excused herself and left to the backyard. The
brightness of the sun hurt her eyes, but she quickly adjusted and
began stretching.
    Though her body protested, Ranma began a simple kata that only
included some fairly basic blocks, punches and kicks. A cool breeze
kept her from breaking out into a sweat, but she tired quickly after
flowing into a few other basic katas.
    Gritting her teeth and keeping her breathing controlled, she
continued into a more difficult one, which she normally could have
completed a hundred times without breaking a sweat, but unable to
finish it. Between her frustration and perseverance, she refused to
give up until she fell over in exhaustion.
    After a few minutes of laying in the grass panting, she got up
and entered the house.

    Teeth chattering, Ranma endured the freezing cold water of the
shower as she rinsed off. Fortunately, Amanda lent her an outfit that
she could wear when the went out shopping. She had been told that the
grass stains on her jeans and red shirt made that one not suitable
enough.
    Wondering why anyone, or she for that matter, cared, caused her
to roll her eyes more than once, but she did not press the point
since she was a guest in the house. She slipped on a clean pair of
panties then grimaced at the uncomfortable bra that had been provided
for her. She would not wear it with her baggy apparel. The white
T-shirt wasn't tight enough to show off her rather obvious, overly
large anatomy.


    Amanda waited patiently at the front door for Kimiko to get
dressed. She had offered the redhead quite a few pieces of clothing,
but she refused a lot of them and only accepted one of her old white
T-shirts and a pair of baggy blue jeans. It mattered little though,
because they would soon remedy the problem with many more outfits
that would make the redhead look so cute!
    "Amanda-san?"
    Waking from her thoughts, Amanda looked at the glum-looking
little redhead. "Okay, let's go!" she said, obviously much happier
than her companion.

    They entered one of Kiyoshi's cars, a silver convertible
Corvette. The look on the redhead's face showed that she had not seen
one of its like before.
    "Nice, ne?" Amanda asked with a grin on her face.
    "Wow," she said as she sat in the passenger seat, the leather
squeaking. "I've never been in, much less seen such an
expensive-looking car before. Is it yours?"
    "Oh Lord, no! This is Kiyo-kun's. He lets me drive whichever of
his cars that I want to."
    "Oh."
    Amanda flashed a smile at the girl and started the engine. Th
purr the car made always sounded so sweet to her ears. Backing the
car out carefully, she left the driveway and then the neighborhood.
    "So," Amanda began. "What type of music do you like?"
    "I dunno," Kimiko said, a look of deep thought on her face. "Rock
I guess?" The redhead smiled when they drove onto the highway and the
winds blew her hair and Amanda was amazed at how long it was.
    "We'll get you a haircut and a make-over while we're there." The
expression on the girl's face looked as if she was offended or hated
the idea. Disregarding the second reason as pure silliness, she
quickly spoke again, "Not that you need it, but it would make a major
improvement. It'll make you look so much cuter!"


    'How could this get any worse?' Ranma wondered as they continued
on the highway. She did concede that she needed a haircut pretty bad,
but she doubted that she would have little choice as to how it would
be styled. What bothered her was the make-over. She did not know
exactly what one was, but it sounded extremely girlish!
    "I don't know if we'll have enough time for all of that!" she
exclaimed, desperately trying to think of something to get her out of
doing at least the second activity. It was simply bad enough that she
was going to end up having to wear a 'cute' hair style and 'cute'
clothing, but make-up to go along with it?
    "Oh, of course we will, silly! Kiyo-kun won't get back until late
tonight, and he did say to have fun."
    Sighing in defeat, Ranma closed her eyes. Was it her fate to be
treated like a little girl by a near-complete stranger and Happosai
in a young body? Should she even care now that Akane was forever out
of her reach?
    Not allowing tears to stain her face once more, she decided to
look at the brighter side of things. It was nice to be pampered and
treated as a human for once, even though it was in a slightly
different manner than she preferred. Next to no one ever really
considered 'her' feelings or treated her like someone special. Most
of the time she had been a trophy or an object of jealousy with
almost no friends to show for her efforts, no matter how hard she
tried.
    Until her most recent memories, she really did not enjoy living
too much. Travels with her father were little more than a trial to be
endured. Life at the Tendo Training Hall was hectic, to say the
least. Near the end of her life as Ranma, she was finally getting a
life to live her own way.
    'Hah! The brighter side...' she mentally cursed. It was obvious
that Amanda did care for her, even though they only met the day
before. Kiyoshi seemed to care for her too, but she did wonder how
much of it was an act, considering he still was Happosai. Maybe he
would teach her some of his techniques and she could learn how to at
least act like a girl from Amanda. She knew she could never really be
a girl, though her anatomy showed otherwise.
    "Kimchan?"
    Ranma came out of her reverie and looked at Amanda who opened the
passenger side door.
    "Are you okay?"
    Ranma nodded and cautiously pulled herself out of the
convertible.
    "You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"
    Ranma shook her head and the duo walked towards an outdoor mall.
    "Welcome to the Del Monty Shopping Center," Amanda said, smiling
sweetly. If Ranma could appreciate one thing from her, it would be
her Kasumi-like nature. Amanda's mood almost rubbed off on the
redhead. Almost.

    "Oh, let's go in here too!" the blonde cried out for nearly the
dozenth time, dragging an unwilling Ranma behind her. They had
entered more types stores than Ranma knew existed. First they entered
a beauty salon where Ranma was forced to sit still for nearly three
quarters of an hour while the hair 'stylist' butchered her hair. It
was now styled so cute that Ranma felt like vomiting the contents of
her stomach. Her bangs were trimmed a little above eyes and the
length of her hair was now half way down her back styled into a
ponytail - roughly like Akane's when they first met, only she had to
admit that the style did look ten times better on herself, much to
her disgust.
    After that, they had entered clothing store after clothing
storewhere they had purchased many outfits, including the one Ranma
wore at the moment, a red mini-skirt, a white blouse and a matching
red vest - the color of her hair. It was no worse than the shoes she
now wore though, which matched her outfit and were extremely
comfortable but unconditionally feminine.
    Ranma's mouth dropped in horror as she realized which store they
were walking into this time, a lingerie shop. She tried to backpedal
but was once again dragged against her will. She could have easily
broke out of her grasp, but it probably would have hurt the blonde
and that was the last thing that she wanted to do. Ranma could only
accepted her impending doom with what little dignity she had left and
take it like a man...or whatever.
    A blast of cool air and a woman dressed in a blue mini-skirt and
a sky blue blouse greeted them as they walked in. The two women
talked to each other in English for a little under a minute before
the store attendant turned to Ranma.
    "She's going to help us find things that'll look *so* cute on
you, Kimchan!" Amanda informed the sulking redhead. She then ushered
her into a changing booth. "Wait right here while we pick you out
some underwear."

    Emerging from the dreaded lingerie shop, the duo carried an extra
bag in their possession, putting their tally at six. The broad smile
on Amanda's face showed her enjoyment of this event and Ranma could
only help but feel a little bit of her enthusiasm.
    "Wasn't that just so much fun?" Amanda asked as they finally made
their way back to the Corvette.
    Feigning enjoyment, Ranma nodded with a fake smile.
    "What's wrong?" she asked, concern prominent in her voice.
    How she saw through this facade and not during their shopping
trip completely baffled the redhead. "Nothing," Ranma mumbled.
    "Ah, come on," the blonde said, pulling Ranma into a hug. "You
can't tell me you didn't enjoy countless people slaving over your
appearance!"
    The sad part was that Ranma did enjoy the attention, somewhat.
Giggling, Ranma wondered what everyone back in Nerima would think of
her now. She could imagine them yelling, "Ranma's cross-dressing,
what a pervert!"


    While the two girls had their 'fun', Kiyoshi spent the day in his
office putting up with the kiss asses. His bountiful patience running
short, he decided it was time to call it a day. No matter how much he
enjoyed living the life of a normal person, there were so many downs
that he pondered becoming a traveling martial artist again, even if
just for a few days.
    His life changed so dramatically after his exposure to the
Jusenkyo water. Before, life was a gigantic game and he was an
observer who only took part when it suited him. Now, he made
decisions on a daily basis that effected nearly six thousand others.
The increased responsibility made him feel needed, but after years of
doing it, it grew old. He still enjoyed it for the most part, but his
life was now centered around a lively teenage girl.
    He definitely had his work cut out for him. Ranma was not taking
the whole situation well, as he expected, but Kiyoshi had little or
no idea of how to handle the situation. He figured that he would at
least continue her training and show her that, besides a few strength
and speed differences, she was still herself. Unfortunately, with her
loss of identity and family, that would be very tough to do. She
would probably be severely depressed for a while.
    Making his way to his car, Kiyoshi wondered how Ranma was doing
now. The thought of taking care of her made him smile inwardly,
getting to have the little sister he never had in natural life. Ranma
was in the same position he was years ago, even though she had yet to
realize the gravity of it.
    "Don't expect her to accept her situation overnight, my friend,"
sounded the familiar voice that only he could hear.
    "I know, Seiichi," he replied. "You haven't talked to me in a
while. What made you speak up now?"
    "You seem to need my guidance," the voice returned. "Now more
than ever."
    Retrieving his keys from his pocket, he unlocked his car and sat
down in the driver's seat. "That I do, friend." He put the keys in
the ignition and started the car. "I just don't know what to do about
her."
    "Just be there when she needs a friend," Seiichi said,
materializing next to Kiyoshi. "She must face reality herself, but
you can help comfort her. That is all I can offer in the way of
advice."
    Kiyoshi spared the dead samurai a glance, wondering if Seiichi
ever appeared anything but serious. His youthful appearance was just
that, an appearance, for the wisdom this spirit possessed was nearly
as infinite as the possibilities life held, a contradiction to the
brashness of youth. Though simple, his advice always proved to work
more effectively than anything he could have thought of himself.
    "How much easier life was when my day consisted of snatching
underwear from unsuspecting women," Kiyoshi mumbled to himself.
    "And how much emptier?" quipped Seiichi.
    "Touché."

    Arriving at after a few stops in town, Kiyoshi parked his car and
walked up to the front door, once again having it opened before he
had the chance to do it himself. Instead of Amanda's ever-cheerful
greeting, though, he received a very disapproving glare from Ranma.
The clothes Ranma wore, made him take a step back. Between her hair,
clothes and make-up, he hardly recognized her. She was absolutely
stunning for a girl who looked almost fifteen and appeared nothing
like the tomboy he had seen but a day before.
    "We *have* to talk."
    He simply nodded and followed her up to her room after slipping
out of his shoes. She shut the door after he followed her in. He sat
after she motioned for him to do so.
    "What is it?" he asked, almost knowing the answer.
    "What is it?" Ranma mimicked, nearly yelling. "What is it?!" she
asked again, but with less volume. "I spent the whole entire day..."
she shrugged her shoulders unable to finish. "You knew what she would
do. I've never been so humiliated in my life!"
    "Why should you be humiliated?" he asked simply.
    "Don't play dumb with me!" she said, folding her arms. "Look at
me!"
    He stared at her, one eyebrow rising. "What's wrong with you? You
look beautiful."
    Nearly growling, Ranma tried to keep under control. "I look like
a girl! I'm dressed like a girl! I even *smell* like a girl!!"
    Confused by her answer, he regarded her curiously. "You are a
girl."
    "NO, I'M NOT!!!!" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "I'M A
GUY!!" She lashed out at him violently.
    Rolling out of the way of her kick, he fell off the bed and
quickly sprang himself upright, dodging her next assault. In between
blocking punches he tried to calm her, "Please stop, Kimchan! I
didn't mean any offense. Please tell me what's wrong!"
    "What's wrong?!" Ranma screamed, falling to her knees. "What the
fuck do you think is wrong?!" Her upper torso fell over and she began
to cry into her lap. "I'm dead," she managed to say between sobs.
    Walking towards her cautiously, he slowly put his hand on her
shoulder. He realized, too late, what she meant. He knew that being a
man meant so much to her, but considering herself dead because of
losing it? Could that be it?
    She did not shrug off his hand; rather, she looked up at him with
puffy-red eyes, her sobs slowing. "Why are you trying to be so nice
to me? We were enemies back in Nerima." She looked at his hand,
considering.


    Ranma held back her sobs as best as she could, but a few escaped
past her defenses as she awaited Kiyoshi's answer. The amount of
changes she had suffered through in such a short period of time was
taking its toll on her. She wasn't used to anything she was being put
through.
    "I never thought of you as an enemy, Ranma-chan," he said. When
she stared back at him, unbelieving, he continued. "I knew you hated
me, but I've always been so proud of you. My foolish student, Genma,
may have screwed up royally with his life, but his greatest
achievement was you. He never knew quite what he had until he lost
it."
    "You mean it?" Ranma asked him, her voice full of self pity.
    "Definitely," she heard him say as he crouched down to bring
himself at eye-level with her. "What would you say if I trained you
personally, every day until you find something better to do?"
    Her eyes opened wide in consideration. Though she remembered him
foremost as the most notorious pervert who ever walked the earth, she
also considered him one of its greatest martial artists too. Being
trained every day by him would enhance her skill tenfold, if not
more. Cologne had done the same by help her learn the Chestnut Fist.
    She nodded, dumbfounded by his proposition. If she still had one
thing, it was the art. When life was there to try to kill her, she
always had it to strengthen her heart.
    "Great, we will begin in ten minutes," Kiyoshi announced. "I have
something in my car that you might like."
    "If it's a bra, I'm going to rip your head off," she said with a
half smile.


    Followed by Ranma to his car, Kiyoshi unlocked the trunk and
removed a large canvas bag from it. He then closed the trunk and
carried the bag into the back.
    "Everything that's in there is yours," he said putting it down on
the grass. He backed up and motioned for her to examine it.
    Kneeling down, she unzipped the bag and began to remove its
contents. The look on her face expressed genuine joy. A nunchaku was
the first item she procured from it, followed by a baton and a small
gi top.
    "Hey, that's my size," she mused. Not caring about the present
company, she removed her vest and blouse, revealing her bountiful
chest in a white bra. Kiyoshi tried to turn his head, but she quickly
put on the gi top, tying it shut. "Fits perfect!"
    Removing the gi bottom from the bag caused him to turn around
quickly. After he figured she was done changing, he turned to see her
standing holding the baton in one hand, twirling it in her right hand
like a master. The smile on her face made all the difference in the
world.
    "I'll go change into mine and we can get started. I have more
weapons in my study that we can use later on, if your interested." He
turned to leave but was stopped by her hand on his shoulder.
    "Thanks, Kiyoshi," she said, putting emphasis on the name. "You
didn't have to do this for me." She looked at him with her
crystalline blue eyes.
    "Yes I did, Kimchan," he returned. "Who else would have?" Patting
her on the shoulder, he turned and left to get ready for their work
out.