-[Prolog: Ranma gets fed up]-

It has been a month since Ranma and Akane's failed wedding in that time the 
dojo has been repaired and renovated giving Ranma his own room. Soun 
figuring in another months time that Ranma and Akane will profess their 
love to each other has returned to China with Nabiki and Kasumi to find 
some more Nannichuan leaving Genma, Nodoka, Ranma, and Akane alone at the 
dojo

[Evening in Ranma's room Ranma sits alone writing in his diary]

Ranma: [thinking as he writes] dear diary I'm fed up with Akane she finally 
did the one thing that has made me honestly angry at her ... she called me 
a sexist ... sure I may act stupid sometimes ... ok most of the time but 
despite all the stupid and insensitive things I've ever done I've never 
once meant them ... maybe I've earned being called a sexist just because of 
the simple fact I can never seem to express myself without putting my foot 
in my mouth but somehow I doubt it .... and Like I said before Akane is the 
sexist around here ... even though I've done some things that could be 
considered sexist ... hell even I'll admit that I've done some sexist 
things but I'm nowhere near the sexist Akane is ... I just wish for once 
she would have to walk a mile in a man's shoes and maybe then she wouldn't 
be so quick to judge ... and despite what she says about me knowing nothing 
of women I know a lot more then she thinks especially since today was my 
day for that wonderful monthly experience all girls have ...but what can I 
do to make her understand just how wrong she is about men ... I know 
talking about it with her is useless that'll just end with me taking a free 
trip to the stratosphere ... and I don't want to do anything permanent to 
her but by the same token I want her to know what it's like being a man 
maybe then she can understand why I act the way I do ... 

[Ranma closes his diary and locks it with a golden key and then looks at a 
small wooden box containing a package of instant Nannichuan and enough 
waterproof soap to last a week]

Ranma: [scratching his chin] ...[sighs] for once Akane you'll see things 
from the perspective of a man ... I just hope you'll forgive me in the end

-[Ranma's version of revenge]-

[early morning in the dining room Nodoka, Genma, and Akane eat breakfast 
with Akane at the far end of the table when Ranma enters with a bucket of 
soapy water and stands at the opposite end of the table as Akane with a 
angry look on his face that Genma and Nodoka see as they quickly decide to 
get behind Ranma to avoid the inevitable fallout]

Ranma: Akane what you said to me yesterday was inexcusable apologize or 
else

Akane: [looking up angrily at Ranma] or else what

Ranma: are you going to apologize or not

Akane: no and there's nothing you can do to me to change my mind

Genma: [thinking] don't you see that bucket in his hand stupid ...and if I 
know Ranma there's some instant Nannichuan in there

Ranma: are you sure you won't apologize

Akane: [crossing her arms angrily at she points her nose straight up] never

Ranma: [sighs] than I have no choice but to do this [Ranma splashes Akane 
with the contents of the bucket which immediately causes her to transform 
into a man] ... I hope some time like this will help you see things from a 
different perspective

[Ranma leaves just as Akane-Kun realizes what has happened]

[Akane-Kun starts padding his chest frantically and after a few seconds 
starts having incredible trouble breathing before his mind totally locks 
up]

Nodoka: I guess I better go get some hot water

Genma: [sighs] don't bother that bucket of water was soapy and if I'm 
guessing right Ranma mixed some waterproof soap in with the instant 
Nannichuan ...

[later in Ranma's room Ranma looks at his small female wardrobe which he 
has contained in a small trunk]

Ranma: ... all neet and folded like no one's ever used them [sighs] ....

[A distinctive knock is heard at the door]

Ranma: come in mom

[Nodoka enters and sees the open trunk with Ranma's female attire]

Nodoka: son..

Ranma: don't call me son, daughter, or anything right now mom 

Nodoka: ...ok

Ranma:... how's Akane doing

Nodoka: she's just sitting by the pond staring at her own reflection ... 
she hasn't even tried to speak yet

Ranma: there's a green gi and white pants as well as a pair of boxer shorts 
on my bed ok

Nodoka: [looking over and Ranma's bed she sees the outfit Ranma spoke of] 
how long will this last

Ranma: a week

[Nodoka knowing that there is nothing to be said grabs the outfit and 
leaves]

Ranma: I hope my uncute tomboy won't be too angry with me

[meanwhile by the koi pond Akane-Kun just sits and looks at his reflection]

Akane-Kun: [thinking] ... did I really do something horrible enough to 
warrant this ...

[at this time Akane-Kun can see Nodoka walking up behind her because of her 
reflection in the koi pond]

Nodoka: Ranma gave me something for you to wear ... he also said be used 
enough waterproof soap to lock you in that form for a week

Akane-Kun: ....[trying to work the courage to even speak] ...ok [Akane-Kun 
jumps at the sound of HIS voice] Aunt Nodoka

[Akane-Kun gets up grabs the outfit and walks off]

[meanwhile back in Ranma's room Ranma sits reading his math book when he 
hears a stifled screen from the bathroom after which he decides basic 
algebra doesn't have enough brain shredding power and decides to move on to 
quadratic equations]

[a few minutes later a knock is heard at the door]

Ranma: come back next Friday Akane until then you're on your own after all 
what help do you need from a sexist like me 

[and so time passes with Ranma just reading one textbook after another 
until he runs out and has to resort to the dictionary then the thesaurus ... 
then the English dictionary and thesaurus and then to asking his mother to 
checkout books at the library]

Ranma: ...[closes a book and sighs] ... I'm all out of books ....  again 
[looks over at the calendar which reveals it to be only Wednesday] ...rats 
and I thought for sure I was dumb enough that going through every book I 
had would take at least a month ... I still can't face Akane but what else 
can I do for two days ... I've all ready caught up on all of my homework ... 
I've read that book of plays by Shakespeare so many times I can quote it in 
my dreams ... and the only thing physical I can do here in my room is a few 
warm up exercises ....[sighs] I'm board and I've literally got nothing to 
do ...oh my kingdom for a book ... or anything to do for that matter ... 
[idly looks at several large stacks of books scattered across his room] I 
knew I shouldn't have gotten in the habit of using the Tenshin Amaguriken 
to speed read ... I mean reading at 100,000 WPM is a little ridiculous even 
for me

[Nodoka is heard knocking at the door]

Ranma: come in mom

[Nodoka enters and manages to wade through the incredible amount of books 
strewn across Ranma's room]

Nodoka: run out of books again

Ranma: thow are correct in your assumption

Nodoka: well I hate to tell you this but

Ranma: I've read every book in the library

Nodoka: yep

Ranma: I knew I shouldn't have read that book on speed reading first let 
alone applying the Tenshin Amaguriken to it

Nodoka: dinner will be ready in a while ok

Ranma: just bring it up to me as usual

[Nodoka leaves and returns to the dining room where Akane-Kun is sitting 
looking slightly depressed]

Akane-kun: how is he

Nodoka: he's finally run out of books to read so he'll have to come out of 
their fairly soon or he'll go mad

[Genma just grumbles about his son reading every book in the library and 
mumbles something about a martial artists not needing any of that "book 
learning" before walking off]

Akane-Kun: [thinking] if anyone's a sexist around here its Genma not to 
mention a stone aged idiot

Nodoka: [rubbing her temples] idiot

Akane-Kun: who

Nodoka: I'll give you one guess ... and it doesn't count

Akane-Kun: [remembering his day] ...

Nodoka: had an other typical Ranma day eh

Akane-Kun: yeah and as usual I got to play Ranma today ...[thinking] I'll 
take playing Romeo over Ranma any day

Nodoka: ...[sighs]

Akane-Kun: how is he

Nodoka: ...... confused, sad, angry at himself, perhaps still angry with 
you but I doubt it ... but mostly I think he's to ashamed to face 
you ......... and how are you feeling

Akane-Kun:  like I've received fair punishment for all the times I've ... 
well been a sexist

Nodoka: doesn't feel too good to be at the other end does it

Akane-Kun: [developing a migraine] no it certainly doesn't

Nodoka: and how do you think Ranma has felt

Akane-Kun: ... the same way I suppose

Nodoka: why haven't you gone up to talk to him

Akane-Kun: he told me to come back on Friday

Nodoka: that the only reason

Akane-Kun: [tapping his fingers idly] no ....  But I'm going to honor 
Ranma's wish

[late the next night in Ranma's room Ranma is writing in his diary]

Ranma: [thinking while he writes] dear diary one more day until the 
waterproof soap wears off and Akane can be HER usual uncute self

[Ranma closes his diary and locks it before readying himself for bed when 
he hears Akane-kun walking by his door]

Akane-Kun: [outside] P-chan!!

Ranma: [putting his ear to the door and thinking] I hope she decides to 
give him a hot bath

Akane-Kun: [from outside] look at you P-chan you're absolutely filthy 
[jokingly] one would think you were an absolute pig

[Ranma gowns quietly at Akane-Kun's joke]

Akane-kun: well since I'm on my way to the bath anyhow I'll give you a nice 
hot soak

[Akane-Kun can be heard walking down the hallway and into the bathroom 
after which Ranma braces the door and to his room and hops on his bed but 
not before he puts a sign on his door which reads all business will have to 
wait till Friday signed Ranma]

Ranma: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... 0...

[suddenly the screens of a very angry Akane-Kun can be heard from the 
bathroom and after words the frantic and futile attempts of Ryouga trying 
to evade Akane-Kun's mallet]

[crack!!] 

Ranma:  3... 2... 1... 0...

[there is a grumbling sound outside Ranma's room that quickly fades]

Ranma: [smiling like a Cheshire cat while he thinks] and I didn't even have 
to raise a finger

[for the rest of the night the angry sounds of Akane-Kun's growling can be 
heard while Ryouga frantically tries to explain himself]

Ranma: ahh this is better then any work of classical literature 

[Ranma goes into a speal about how classical literature can't compare with 
his own life before hearing somebody frantically clawing at his door which 
finally gives way as Ryouga manages to move approximately 500 pounds a 
books enough for him to get in and away from the still very angry Akane-
Kun]

Ranma: [reading some Shakespeare] has thow encountered the fair Akane 
tonight

Ryouga: [bracing the door] yeah you could say that

Ranma: [putting the Shakespeare down] me thinks that your secret has been 
illuminated

Ryouga: what's with her anyhow I mean ....... and when did she get a curse

Ranma: a temporary condition my hammy friend ... and one that shall rectify 
itself tomorrow

[by this time Ryouga notices Ranma's speech]

[Ranma smiles as he waives the book of Shakespeare's plays around]

Ryouga: ahh so did you do that to her

Ranma: yeah ...

Ryouga: [mulling over the idea of whether or not to kill Ranma or ask him 
if he can hide here until Akane cools off] ... so why did you do it

Ranma: ...hum I got fed up with being malleted over the horizon and Akane 
always putting her foot in my mouth ... I mean I do good enough job of that 
myself

[Ryouga can't help but smile]

Ranma: but the main reason I did it is she called me a sexist ... sure I 
may be a bit piggish sometimes but I always try to listen even if I always 
manage to screw up

Ryouga: [looking at the piles of books around Ranma's room] so what have 
you been doing lately

Ranma: [raising an eyebrow] ....

Ryouga: reading per chance

Ranma: yeah ever since I splashed Akane with the instant Nannichuan and 
waterproof soap mix I've been hiding out here in my room reading

Ryouga: so when did you splash her

Ranma: last Friday ...

Ryouga: so how much have you read since then

Ranma: the entire library ...[sighs] literally

Ryouga: [impressed] but how

Ranma: I combined the Tenshin Amaguriken with a speed reading technique ... 
I now average 100,000 words a minute

Ryouga: wow!!!

Ranma: so did you tell her about the promise you made me make

Ryouga: yeah she beat that out of me first ... so how long do you think 
it'll take for her to cool down

Ranma:  about a week or so she should forgive you entirely... well maybe 
not entirely

[Ryouga face faults]

Ryouga: mind if I sneak out your window

Ranma: nope

[after Ryouga has left]

Ranma: you mad at me Akane

Akane-Kun: [from outside] ... I'm thinking about it

Ranma: the soap should wear off tomorrow morning ok

Akane-kun: [from outside] good night Ranma

-[the diary and the secrets it holds]-

[early morning at the Tendo dojo Ranma sits in his room waiting for Akane 
to finish her morning bath when he hears HER screaming happily]

Ranma: [breathing a sigh of relief as he smiles] finally the soap has worn 
off

[about 10 minutes later Akane can be heard knocking at the door]

Ranma: [putting a golden key into his diary's lock] come in Akane

[2 seconds later Ranma finds himself in a glop worthy of shampoo herself]

Ranma: [struggling to speak] can't breathe [Akane lets go and Ranma takes a 
deep breath] you ok

Akane: [still just happy to be HER old self] yes ...... and I'm sorry 
[wraps her arms around Ranma in a gentle hug] my Ranma no baka

Ranma: [sighs] am I forgiven ... my uncute tomboy

Akane: [sighs] the punishment fit the deed [thinking] ... actually a real 
curse would have fit the deed but who am I to argue

Ranma: Akane I want you to read something

Akane: [looking around the room at the enormous piles of books 
nervously] ... what

Ranma: [dramatically turning the key on his diary's lock so it makes a 
definite sound] this

Akane: [hearing the lock on Ranma's diary open] but

Ranma: no buts Akane ... I always put my foot in my mouth when I'm trying 
to talk to you and since there's nothing in here anymore that you shouldn't 
know and many things you should know ... in fact the one thing that's been 
keeping me from showing you this diary was Ryouga's curse

Akane: can I at least tell you about my week first

Ranma: of course

[after an account of Akane's week as a man]

Ranma: [sighs] so you managed to get through the entire week with no one 
but Ryouga finding out who you really were

Akane: yeah I told them I was your cousin Akama and they actually fell for 
it

Ranma: it's amazing how many people fall for that cousin bit

Akane: true

[Ranma hands Akane his diary]

Ranma: this diary begins about a week before I received my curse and ends 
yesterday

[Akane nervously takes the diary]

Ranma: I'll be back later after I get some breakfast

[Ranma leaves]

[Akane looks at the diary wondering if she should really read it]

Akane: [thinking] he's handing me something one that I never knew existed 
and two something that people used to bear their souls this book is the 
most personal thing in his life [sighs and slowly opens the diary] ok Ranma 
because you asked me to

[meanwhile down in the dining room Ranma is slowly eating is breakfast when 
Genma enters and starts to spout off about Ranma's behavior for the past 
week but Ranma only ignores him and continues to eat his breakfast]

Ranma: [thinking while he listens absentmindedly to Genma's ramblings] is 
it me or is he dumber then I remember a week ago ...me thinks it be me ....  
Maybe Akane's always been right about me needing to expand my mind ... no 
she has been right [mentally smiles] but right now I'm going to punt my 
father into the pond so I can eat my breakfast in peace

[after Ranma has punted Genma into the koi pond Nodoka enters from the 
kitchen]

Nodoka: is it really necessary to punt him into the pond every morning

Ranma: [his chopsticks hanging out of his mouth] ....  Yes

Nodoka: [smiles] just checking

[Ranma just smiles as he continues to eat his breakfast until Genma-panda 
dumps a bucket of water on him]

Ranma-chan: [with said bucket still on her head] pop I'm giving you 5 
seconds to get out of here or I'm sending you to the upper ionosphere .... 
5 ...4 ...3 ...2 ...1 ...0

[Genma-panda earns a free trip to the ionosphere]

Nodoka: ... he had that coming

[Ranma-chan just sits back down and continues eating her breakfast while 
mumbling something about selling a certain panda to the Tokyo zoo]

Nodoka: now, now son it's not polite to sell your father to a zoo

Ranma-chan: I know but you would think at least he could give me a few 
minutes to enjoy my breakfast

Nodoka: speaking of which son you usually don't take time to eat your 
breakfast

Ranma-chan: let's just say my uncute tomboy is reading something that ... 
requires some degree of privacy and absence of my presence for a time

Nodoka: [raising an eyebrow] all that reading sure has paid off

Ranma-chan: do you think so

Nodoka: no I know so

[Ranma-chan smiles before continuing to eat her breakfast]

[later as Ranma-chan is just finishing her breakfast]

Nodoka: so what IS Akane reading

Ranma-chan: my ...[Ranma-chan is interrupted by a stifled screen from 
upstairs] ...diary

[Akane comes barreling into the room Ranma's diary in hand and her face 
whiter then a ghost]

Ranma-chan: [calmly putting her chopsticks down as she finishes the last of 
her rice] I see you finally reached that day

[Akane tries to speak but only can flap her jaw in the wind]

Nodoka: what are you talking about

[Akane hands Nodoka the diary opened to a specific page and Nodoka starts 
reading and her face quickly becomes as white as Akane's]

Ranma-chan: ... everything is in the book you two you might as well keep 
reading

[Ranma-chan gets up and leaves but not before dousing herself with the ever 
present kettle of hot water leaving his fiancée and mother still paler then 
a ghost]

[later that morning at Ucchan's Ranma enters to find Ukyou scrubbing down 
the grill while absentmindedly day dreaming]

Ukyou: [surprised to see Ranma] Ranma!! Where have you been for the past 
week

Ranma: had a really bad cold all I could do was sit in bed and read

Ukyou: [smiling] so where is that hunky cousin of yours

Ranma: you mean Akama hum he had to go back home last night

Ukyou: [handing Ranma a glass of water] oh drat and I was going to ask him 
out on a date

[hearing this Ranma predictably chokes on his water]

Ranma: what!! 

Ukyou: what is he already taken

Ranma: hum yeah [thinking] by me

Ukyou: oh double drat and I thought for sure he liked me ...[sighs] and he 
was such a hunk ... even shampoo and Kodachi were after him

Ranma: really!! I didn't know Akama had it him ... well I'll just have to 
talk to him about that next time I hear from him

Ukyou: when you do please put in a good word for me

Ranma: I will

Ukyou: and by the way is Akane feeling better

Ranma: yes she had the same thing I did

Ukyou: that must of been one hell of cold to put you and Akane down for a 
week ran-chan

Ranma: it was ... well I'm going to get back to the dojo and maybe I'll 
give Akama a call to see if he's home yet

[Ranma leaves with an all teeth grin on his face]

[later back at the dojo Nodoka and Akane are regaining some of their skin 
color]

Akane: why didn't he tell us

Nodoka: ... maybe if we keep reading

[Nodoka turns the page of the diary]

Nodoka: [reading the diary] dear diary I've been debating whether or not to 
tell Akane and the others and have decided not to but this has nothing to 
do with masculine pride or my ego it as to do with the fact that the less 
they know the better. I also figure if they knew about something like this 
they would start treating me liked some kind of cripple

Akane: ...[looking ashamed of herself] oh kami I've been such a baka

Nodoka: ...[thinking] ... this puts a whole new perspective on things

[later that night Ranma enters the bathroom to find Akane is already taking 
a bath]

Akane: [turning around to see Ranma] oh hi Ranma [Akane turns her back to 
Ranma] come over here and give me a back rub would you

Ranma: hum ...ok [Ranma proceeds to walk over to Akane who raises her back 
out of the furo]

Akane: well what are you waiting for

[Ranma proceeds to give Akane a back rub]

Akane: [sighing pleasurably] mhh that feels so good Ranma ... a little to 
the left ...

[Akane let's out a little moan which startles Ranma]

Ranma: you ok

Akane: mhh just perfect ...[thinking] I'll have to let him rub my back more 
often

Ranma: hum you sure your feeling ok I mean

Akane: oh don't worry about walking in on me Ranma ...and a little lower 
please

Ranma: hum Akane I'm not feeling very comfortable right now

Akane: [turning around] why

Ranma: [gulps as he quickly turns around] hum your just not acting like 
your self right now

Akane: hum ... would you rather I called you a pervert and bash you on the 
head

Ranma: [scratching the back of his head] well it would be more like you to 
do that

Akane: [grabbing Ranma's ponytail] your little punishment made me 
understand a lot of things Ranma ..  One of which is where both very 
physical people [Akane turns Ranma's head around and gives him a big kiss]

Ranma: [recovering from said kiss] AKANE!

Akane: [holding onto Ranma's ponytail as she pulls Ranma into the furo] now 
I want you to finish that back rub [wraps Ranma's arms around her] ... 
after which will discuss how physical we want to get in your room ...

[later that night in Ranma's room Ranma and Akane sit alone]

Akane: [brushing her hair] ...so

Ranma: [blushing] hum ...well would you please tell me why you been acting 
so weird

Akane: ...[smiling] sure ...hum ... Now where should I start ... after I 
got over the initial shock, anger and well the hum new equipment I just let 
myself go and decided to well [giggles] just be a man about it

[hearing this Ranma develops a look of confusion that is indescribable]

Ranma: but weren't you afraid

Akane: yes ...but I figured if I ran away from it I would never learn 
anything from the experience

Ranma: so what did you learn

Akane: ... 1 that I really had been a sexist and particularly bad one at 
that....  But after I recovered from that revelation I discovered MEN in 
general aren't so bad ... so I just decided to enjoy myself

Ranma: so you weren't afraid you would lose yourself to the curse

Akane: [smiles] actually quite the opposite happened ... I actually started 
to understand myself better

Ranma: can you explain that 

Akane: no I can't explain it [smiles] but I just feel a lot better ... and 
more complete ...[stretches out] and a lot more relaxed

Ranma: ...hum Akane about the bathroom

Akane: ...hum I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable [stretches the 
back of her head as she turns bright red] I guess I was feeling a "little" 
hum well .... horny

[thud!]

[Akane turns around to see Ranma has fainted]

Akane: [sighs] ...oh Ranma ...[looks over at Ranma's diary and starts to 
think] I've been way to judgmental of him in the past ... is that because I 
love him ... yes I do love him [mentally smiles] curse and all

-[acceptance]-

[early the next morning Ranma is awoken by a screen from downstairs]

Akane: [screaming from downstairs] YOU WANT RANMA TO DO WHAT!!!!!!!!

Ranma: why am I suddenly getting the distinct feeling that I'm in for it

[as Ranma enters the dining room a few seconds later to find Nodoka and 
Akane]

Ranma: ok what do you two have planned for me this time

[Nodoka turns her head to face Ranma with an evil grin on her face that 
Ranma instantly picks up on]

Ranma: [gulps] no not that 

[Ranma turns to Akane who just has a sorry Ranma look on her face]

[about an hour later Ranma-chan sits at the dining room table in a blouse 
and skirt and obviously wearing a bra when Genma enters]

Ranma-chan: if you say anything pop you're going back to the ionosphere

[Genma in a rare moment of intelligence decides to follow his sons advice 
which quickly fades as he decides to ask his wife what do hell is going on 
instead of his son]

Genma: no-chan what is the meaning of this

[Nodoka just gives Genma her patented evil eye witch causes Genma to run in 
fear]

[later back up in Ranma's room Ranma-chan sits alone when Akane enters to 
find Ranma-chan brooding on her bed]

Akane: you ok

Ranma-chan: no

Akane: Ranma [sighs] I want you to let go like I did [Ranma-chan starts to 
protest but Akane quickly silences her] please Ranma .... I know you're 
afraid but so was I but I faced that fear ....  And because of that I grew 
up a lot ... but [sighs] I won't lie to you Ranma I've changed in the past 
week and I'm still trying to sort out my feelings and emotions but I 
already know one thing ....  That last week despite being chased around 
like you was one of the most important weeks of my life ... and well the 
feeling I have right now I can only describe as calm ... and I want you to 
at least try to

Ranma-chan: ....[looking up at Akane Ranma-chan sees that Akane has indeed 
changed] ...ok Akane I'll do it for you

Akane: no you must do this for yourself and no one else don't do it for 
your mother don't do it to spite your father don't do it for me do it for 
yourself

Ranma-chan: ....[doubt written on her face] ... are you still you

Akane: [smiles] of course you baka ... but I've also grown up and 
changed ... [sighs] I know my behavior was a little erratic yesterday but 
having my female body back sort of overwhelmed my senses and I went all 
cute and cuddly for a while ... [starts to look a bit green] ...and if I 
ever do that again dump something cold on me

Ranma-chan: will do [sighs]

Akane: [smiles] tell you what I'll make sure that you don't go all cute and 
cuddly either

Ranma-chan: ... promise

Akane: of course ... if I make myself sick being cute and cuddly imagine 
how sick I'll get when I see you acting that way

[Ranma-chan sticks out her tongue and makes a gagging sound]

Akane: [smiling] now are you going to do this [being mischievous] are you 
going to be a man about being a woman

Ranma-chan: ...[sighs and thinks] maybe they're right maybe I shouldn't 
runaway from my curse ....[aloud] ok

Akane: [smiles] good now later today were all going shopping for some new 
clothes for you

[Akane leaves]

Ranma-chan: [sighs deeply] I'm going to trust Akane and just let myself go

Akane: [just popping her head in the door] oh Ranma if you start thinking 
about cute boys just picture me in my male form

[Akane leaves and is heard running down the stairs]

Ranma-chan: [her mind already wondering] well at least now I won't be 
thinking of Kunou ... only Akane

[later that day after a shopping spree of sorts Ranma-chan returns to her 
room along with Akane]

Ranma-chan: ...[looking absolutely exhausted]...Akane

Akane: what Ranma

Ranma-chan: [sighs] ... 

Akane: anything wrong

Ranma-chan: I'm not really sure ... 

Akane: why don't you talk about it

Ranma-chan: I can't talk worth a flip Akane

Akane: .... Just try ok

Ranma-chan: [starts tapping her fingers absentmindedly] hum ...well I did 
like you said and let go ...and just let myself be feminine ...and well 

Akane: you didn't feel like you were losing your mind you just felt ok

Ranma-chan: yeah ... and it just felt hum ... natural well to be a 
girl ...but I was still me ...but it was like my male half was ... well 
hum ... taking a coffee break in the next room

Akane: [blinks] an interesting metaphor ... so what is your male half doing 
right now

Ranma-chan: hum still having coffee but not in the next room

Akane: [laughs] so do you want to do anything

Ranma-chan: no not really 

Akane: I want you to train me ...and no buts about it

Ranma-chan: ...I don't want to hurt you Akane

Akane: getting hurt is part of life Ranma ... and I would much rather you 
give me a few bumps and bruises then shampoo beat me into a pulp ...
 
Ranma-chan: ...I need to talk with my mother first ok

Akane: ok

[Akane leaves]

Ranma-chan: [thinking] she's right ... as usual....  She would be much 
better off if I trained her ... she could defend herself against shampoo 
and the others

[Nodoka enters]

Nodoka: you wanted to talk to me

Ranma-chan: remember that promise I made about never hitting a girl

Nodoka: [looks thoughtful for a moment] no ... sorry ... but I do remember 
one about never hitting a lady

Ranma-chan: [totally and utterly confused] hun?? ...hum what's the 
difference

Nodoka: you're the one that's been reading every book in the library for 
the past week you tell me

[Ranma-chan starts to think]

Ranma-chan: a woman of refinement and manners

Nodoka: ...[smiles] my definition of a lady is a woman that cannot defend 
themselves against attack

Ranma-chan: you mean like Kasumi

[Nodoka laughs a bit]

Nodoka: don't be fooled by Kasumi's outward appearance Ranma she knows how 
to defend herself with deadly grace

Ranma-chan: so even though she acts with refinement and manners because she 
can defend herself she's not a lady?

Nodoka: bingo

Ranma-chan: ... so any woman that can't defend themselves is a lady even if 
they act rude and crude

Nodoka: in my opinion

Ranma-chan: do you consider yourself a lady

[Nodoka raises an eyebrow as she puts her hand on her ever present katana]

Ranma-chan: dumb question

Nodoka: very

Ranma-chan: but what about when you were trying to get me to act lady like 
before you knew about my curse

Nodoka: I was just using the technical definition of lady like ... Kasumi 
for example fits the technical definition of a lady perfectly but by my 
personal definition she's no lady ...

Ranma-chan: so as far is my promise to you goes I'm to go by your personal 
definition and not the technical one

Nodoka: yep

Ranma-chan: so I wouldn't be breaking my promise to you if I booted shampoo 
into orbit a few times

Nodoka: no you wouldn't ... and frankly if I had enough skill I would do it 
myself ....  By the way why are you asking

Ranma-chan: Akane wants me to train her

Nodoka: [smiling] she does that's wonderful ....  And I'm sure you two will 
have a lot of fun

Ranma-chan: FUN??!! ... but I might hurt her

Nodoka: well of course you'll hurt her training's hard work but that 
doesn't mean you won't have fun

Ranma-chan: hun????

Nodoka: [sighs] you take training far too seriously .... Now I won't argue 
the fact that sometimes training has to be serious but by the same token it 
shouldn't be serious all the time .... [Sighs] one of your fathers major 
character flaws is he always took the art too seriously and everything 
else ... well I'm sure you can fill in the last part of that statement

[Ranma-chan just develops a migraine as she remembers her father's lack of 
seriousness when it came to anything other than the art]

Nodoka: now my trainee daughter I want you to honor Akane's request ... 
after all she does need the training and you two are both very physical 
people

[Nodoka leaves]

Ranma-chan: [sighs] ok Akane

[Akane who has been waiting just outside the door rushes in and gives 
Ranma-chan a big hug]

Ranma-chan: [struggling to breathe] can't breathe Akane [Akane releases her 
glom] ....  You've got to stop glomming me like that

Akane: why [smiles] 

Ranma-chan: because I can't breathe when you do that

Akane: ...ok I won't knock the air out of you anymore ...now change and 
meet me in the training hall as soon as possible

[Akane leaves]

[later in the training hall Ranma enters dressed in one of his usual red 
gi's and black pants to find Akane practicing]

Akane: [raising an eyebrow as she stops practicing] ... anything wrong 
Ranma

Ranma: [looking distracted] hum just thinking about something Akane

Akane: what

Ranma: oh nothing ... well let's get started

Akane: what first

Ranma: just some simple sparing

Akane: all right just make sure you actually fight back

Ranma: ok

[Ranma and Akane square off and begin to spar fiercely at least by Akane's 
standards for the next 10 minutes until Ranma lands a punch that connects 
squarely with Akane's abdomen knocking her three feet much to Ranma's 
horror]

Ranma: [his face panic stricken] Akane are you ok

Akane: [gasping for breath] yeah you just knocked the wind out of me [takes 
a few more breaths and then smiles happily] I haven't had this much fun in 
ages ...[Akane gets up and resumes her fighting stance] ... well come on

Ranma: [looking confused] hum are you sure your ok

Akane: [grins evilly] just fight my Ranma no baka

Ranma: [smiles and resumes his fighting stance] ok my uncute tomboy

[about 20 minutes later Genma enters and starts spouting off about Ranma 
fighting Akane and Ranma's new wardrobe and various other things]

Ranma: you are such an idiot pop me and Akane are training right now

Akane: [wrapping her arms around Ranma in a gentle hug] yeah  [sticks her 
tongue out at Genma]

Genma: and what about all of those [Genma clinches his fist] clothes in 
your room ...

[before Ranma can get angry at Genma for entering his room without 
permission Genma starts to ramble about Nodoka changing his son into a 
girl]

Ranma: [blinks] wow mom that's a perty strong battle aura

Akane: yeah aunt Nodoka

[by this time Genma has felt said battle aura and turns around to see his 
wife glowing with a red battle aura]

Genma: [noticing his wife's hair becoming as red as Ranma-Chan's] now, now 
no-chan I was only joking

[crack!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[Genma earns a free trip to the ionosphere via uppercut airlines]

Nodoka: [her battle aura fading while her hair remains as red as Ranma-
Chan's] ... Genma no baka!!

[Both Ranma and Akane blink and blink hard at Nodoka who now bears an 
uncanny resemblance to Ranma-chan]

Nodoka: what?

Ranma: take a look in the mirror mom [points to the training hall's mirror]

[Nodoka looks at herself in the training halls mirror and does a triple 
take]

Nodoka: wow! my hair hasn't been this red since I was your age 
Ranma ....[blinks and then blinks again before looking at Ranma]

Akane: and I thought you two looked alike before 

Nodoka: yeah ...[giggles] do you think it would look good in a pigtail son

[Ranma just groans]

Nodoka: [smiles] I think I will ... just to annoy the hell out of your 
father

[Nodoka develops a devilish smile on her face]

Ranma: you're aren't thinking what I think your thinking are you

Nodoka: [smiles] what do you think I'm thinking

Ranma: something along the lines of borrowing one of my usual outfits

Nodoka: [pouts cutely] ah how'd you guess 

Ranma: that look in your eye and that smile were pretty good clues

Akane: [smiling just as devilishly as Nodoka] come on Ranma lets play a 
practical joke on your father

Ranma: [smiles] ok I'm always up for anything to annoy pop

[later in Ranma's room Ranma-chan and Nodoka sit side-by-side both wearing 
one of Ranma's generic outfits]

Akane: unbelievable. If it wasn't for the height difference you two could 
play the twin game

Nodoka: [fiddling with her hair which is now done up in a long ponytail] 
well there's also the matter of my hair length

Ranma-chan: [giggles] Akane go get some hot water

Akane: [laughing] oh your father is going to have heart failure tonight

[Akane leaves]

Nodoka: there's something I'm missing here isn't there

Ranma-chan: let me explain about the dragons hair

[a few minutes later after Akane has returned and Nodoka has been informed 
of the dragons hair incident]

Nodoka: so this dragons hair makes your hair grow really fast if you don't 
wear it 

Ranma: yeah [Ranma undoes his ponytail and his hair begins to grow 
immediately]

Nodoka: ...WOW

[a few minutes later after Ranma's hair has reached the appropriate length 
Ranma ties it back into a ponytail]

Nodoka: [looking over her son carefully] hum

Ranma: what??

Nodoka: you look better with long hair son ....  I don't know why you just 
do

Akane: [blinks] she's right that ponytail of yours does look better when 
it's that length

Ranma: [looking at his closet mirror] hum ....

[Ranma's mental musings are interrupted by the sound of someone landing in 
the koi pond]

Nodoka: [smiling as she hands Ranma a glass of water] here son

[Ranma pours the water over his head becoming Ranma-chan]

Akane: unbelievable even with the difference in height you two will still 
cause a lot of confusion

Nodoka: [clears her throat and starts to talk exactly like Ranma-chan] you 
think so Akane

[hearing Nodoka's perfect imitation of Ranma-chan both Ranma-chan and Akane 
do a triple take]

Nodoka: [keeping up the act] come on let's go have some fun

Ranma-chan: [clears her throat and doesn't uncanny imitation of her 
mother's voice] now, now it's not lady like to talk like that

[hearing Ranma-Chan's imitation of her mother both Nodoka and Akane 
rollover and start laughing themselves silly]

[a few minutes later Ranma-chan is sitting in the dining room when Genma 
enters]

Genma: where's your mother boy

Ranma-chan: [still doing her imitation of Nodoka's voice] around 

[hearing this Genma does a quadruple take followed by 5 triple takes as he 
looks for a katana but finding none he assumes that he really is talking to 
his son]

Genma: hum ok

[at this time Nodoka enters dressed in one of Ranma's generic outfits but 
minus her ever present katana causing Genma to do another quadruple take as 
he tries to decide who is who]

Genma: hum No-chan

Nodoka: [still doing her imitation of Ranma-Chan's voice]  yeah what

[by this time Genma has become thoroughly confused but his confusion only 
increases as Ranma-chan and Nodoka continue to play with him for the next 
half-hour until he collapses into a total brain freeze just as Ukyou 
enters]

Ukyou: two ran-Chan's??

Ranma-chan: maybe, maybe not Ucchan

Nodoka: [doing her imitation of Ranma-chan] yeah Ucchan one of us is the 
real ran-chan

Ranma-chan: [doing her imitation of Nodoka] and one of us is Nodoka

Ukyou: [looking over at Akane] Akane a little help

Akane: [giggles] sorry Ukyou I lost track of who was who about five minutes 
ago

Nodoka: and no using hot water to find out either

Ukyou: ...[stairs at both] ok both of you stand up and stand side-by-side 

[after Nodoka and Ranma-chan do as Ukyou has instructed Ukyou immediately 
identifies Ranma-chan as the real Ranma]

Ukyou: if it wasn't for the fact you were taller than Ranma when he's in 
his female form you two could play the twin game Nodoka-san

Akane: well they play it well enough when they're sitting down already 
[smiles as she points to Genma with her thumb]

Nodoka: [doing her imitation of Ranma-chan] ah he doesn't count [giggles]

Ukyou: [blinks] ...

Nodoka: [undoing her pigtail] this better Ukyou

Ukyou: yeah

Nodoka: so Ukyou why are you hear

Ukyou: hum just visiting

[Nodoka gives Ukyou her yeah sure look before leaving]

Ukyou: hum ran-chan can we go to your room

Ranma-chan: yeah sure

[later up and Ranma-Chan's room Ranma-chan, Akane, and Ukyou are all 
sitting on the floor]

Ranma-chan: [adjusting her shirt] so Ucchan what do you want

Ukyou: well hum I saw you earlier today and you were wearing a skirt

Ranma-chan: yeah so

[hearing this Ukyou predictably face faults]

Ukyou: [grabbing Ranma-chan by the collar as she shakes her violently] are 
you crazy what if your mom saw you!!!

Akane: hum Ukyou it was Ranma's mother that made her wear it in the first 
place

[at this time Ukyou slows her violent shaking down to a dull rock as Ranma-
Chan's shirt comes off in her hands]

Ukyou: [looking at Akane with a stupefied look on her face as she continues 
to shake the shirt] what??

Ranma-chan: [wearing a bra] hum Ucchan would you give me back my shirt

[Ukyou turns to see Ranma-chan who is wearing a bra and predictably freaks 
out and then faints still holding Ranma shirt in a death grip]

[Ranma-chan sighs and walks over to her closet and picks out a blue blouse 
and skirt and leaves]

Akane: [thinking] well at least Ranma isn't going insane

[Ukyou regains consciousness a few minutes later]

Ukyou: [blinks as she sees the contents of Ranma's closet] ok Akane what 
have you done to him!!

Ranma-chan: [just entering wearing a blue blouse and skirt] she's done 
nothing to me Ucchan

Ukyou: [her eyes bugging out] NOTHING!!!! for kami-sama's sake you're 
wearing a skirt Ranma!!!

Ranma-chan: yeah so

Ukyou: have you gone mad man!!

Ranma-chan: ... no and right now I'm a woman

[Ukyou predictably face faults and then starts going into a Genma like 
speel]

Ranma-chan: Ucchan!! Calm down

Ukyou: but

Ranma-chan: [sighs] I've just decided I might as well stop being afraid of 
this curse and well have fun with it instead ... it's not like I'm going to 
start acting like some idiot school girl kay

Ukyou: but ... you're wearing a bra and

Ranma-chan: goes with the territory Ucchan ...[sighs deeply and starts 
tapping her fingers idly]

Akane: what's up Ranma

Ranma-chan: oh I was just thinking it would be nice if my clothes changed 
when I did

[Akane and Ukyou develop an interesting look on their faces]

Akane: ....  Yeah that would be nice

Ukyou: [still not sure of Ranma-Chan's mental state] yeah that would be 
cool

Nodoka: [standing in the doorway with a tray of snacks while still wearing 
the outfit she borrowed from Ranma] how exactly would it work

Ranma-chan: oh I don't know maybe some piece of magical jewelry or 
something

Akane: like a ring or earring

Nodoka: [sitting down while serving everyone] naa too small 

[everyone looks at Nodoka with a confused look]

Nodoka: do you honestly think that something that size could produce enough 
magic to instantly change someone's clothing in response to the curse

Ukyou: good point ... maybe something like an amulet or brooch

Ranma-chan: naa too easy to lose

Akane: good point ....  How bout something like a... cross between a 
bracelet and wristwatch

Ukyou: yeah that sounds nice it would be stylish, functional, and 
unobtrusive

Ranma-chan: and it would have to be something personal

Nodoka: ... how bout a two headed snake dragon watch where each dragon's 
head had an opposite sex

Akane: wow that sounds cool by itself

Nodoka: and because all magical artifacts require precious gems the eyes of 
the dragon heads will be made of Emerald and Ruby

Ranma-chan: man anyone would love to have a watch like that ...boy or girl

Ukyou: yeah ... and if such a watch was enchanted to change your clothes 
when you're curse got triggered it would only make the watch better

Nodoka: [pulling out a watch case] you mean like this one [opens the case 
to reveal a beautiful two headed snake dragon wristwatch] 

Ranma-chan: ahh mom where did you get this!!

Nodoka: I have my sources ... and as for the enchantment ... well

Ranma-chan: well the watch is cool enough by itself

Nodoka: [smiles] I CAN do something about it

Ranma-chan: what??!!

Nodoka: I may not be a great marshal artist son but creating magical 
artifacts is my cup of tea [has a sip of her tea and smiles broadly]

Akane: you're a wizard??

Nodoka: no just an enchanter ...and I'm not that powerful so I can't create 
something to stop the curse from being triggered and it goes without saying 
that I'm nowhere near strong enough to enchant an object to remove the 
curse ....  In fact the limit of my power would be enchanting the watch to 
change your clothing Ranma

Ukyou: but still why didn't you tell us about this before

Nodoka: had no reason to ... and even if I did it wouldn't change the fact 
my powers are very limited

Ranma-chan: so the most you can do is enchant the watch to change my 
clothing when I change forms

Nodoka: that's right

Ranma-chan: good enough for me

Nodoka: [smiles and grabs the watch] I should have this ready for you by 
tomorrow morning

[Nodoka leaves]

Ukyou: man your mom is just full of surprises ran-chan

Ranma-chan: true

Akane: hay!! who's up for some ice cream

Ukyou: [smiles] sounds good to me

Ranma-chan: ditto over here

[later at the ice cream store Ranma-chan and Akane are busy eating while 
Ukyou is busy spacing out]

Ukyou: [sighs]....

Akane: anything wrong Ucchan

Ukyou: I was just thinking about Akama ...He's so cute

[hearing this Akane predictably starts choking on her ice cream]

Ukyou: you okay Akane

Akane: yeah

Ukyou: for second there you were acting like Ranma does when someone calls 
his girl side cute

Ranma-chan: ahh that's just plain silly Ucchan Akane doesn't have a curse

Ukyou: yeah you're right ... so is Akama engaged to anyone ran-chan

Ranma-chan: yeah but I can't remember to who off hand

Ukyou: rats why are the best guys always taken

Akane: Murphy's Law

Ukyou: it must be .... hum ran-chan do you mind if I steal Akane for awhile

Ranma-chan: ...no Ucchan

[later in an isolated spot Ukyou and Akane arrive]

Ukyou: hum Akane do you really love Ranma

Akane: yeah

Ukyou: does he really love you

Akane: yeah even though we constantly fight and do everything we do I know 
he loves me to

Ukyou: [starting to cry] what about me how does he feel about me

Akane: [sitting down as she bites her lip] ... he loves you to but its ... 
like the love I have for my sisters ... and despite all you're scheming and 
such he still loves you unconditionally ... hum does that make any sense

Ukyou: [still crying a little bit] hum a little ....hum what do you think 
of me

Akane: I don't know sort of like a cross between Nabiki and Kasumi ... I 
guess I kind of have thought of you as a sister too ... and I've definitely 
been jealous of you because of all the attention Ranma gives you but I 
still let it slide ... I mean I didn't hold the thing with the wedding 
against you for long as an example

Ukyou: ... I want ran-chan to be happy but ... I don't want to lose him ....  
And if I go back to my father with out our families being joined it will 
crush him [starts to cry] ... but I don't want hurt ran-chan either ...

Akane: hum Ukyou how do you think of Ranma

[Ukyou stops crying and starts to think]

[a few minutes later]

Ukyou: [biting her lip] like a cross between a brother and a close friend

Akane: [smiles] I've got an idea

[Akane grabs Ukyou and starts running towards the dojo at top speed]

[meanwhile back at the dojo Nodoka is reading a large spell book while 
Genma is ranting when Akane enters at sub warp speed with a stressed 
looking Ukyou in tow causing Genma to stop ranting and Nodoka to stop 
reading her spell book]

Akane: Aunt Nodoka I just had a great idea!!

Nodoka: well what's this great idea about

[Akane explains her plan to make Ukyou Ranma's official sister]

Nodoka: [tapping her chin absentmindedly] it's a win-win situation isn't it 
Ukyou

Ukyou: [smiling] yeah I get to be family and at the same time Ranma's still 
free to marry Akane

Nodoka: why don't you call your father Ukyou and see if the plan is 
satisfactory

[Ukyou rushes out in the direction of her restaurant/home nearly flattening 
Ranma-chan in the process]

Ranma-chan: [just entering] hum ... I know I missing something here

[Akane and Nodoka grin widely while Genma just looks at some bamboo with a 
hungry eye before leaving with said bamboo]

Nodoka: would you have any objections to Ukyou becoming your sister

Ranma-chan: no ... not if Akane has any

Nodoka: good ... if her father agrees to it will make it official by the 
end of the week [Nodoka returns to reading her spell book]

Ranma-chan: hum Akane

Akane: [smiles broadly] I thought of the idea baka

Ranma-chan: ahh ...[smiles and thinks] today has been a good day ...[aloud] 
hay Akane up for some more training

Akane: oh course baka

[Ranma-chan smiles and leaves to change]

-[change]-

[early morning at the cat café Cologne is breaking some bad news to 
shampoo]

Cologne: in light of the Mount Phoenix incident and your actions concerning 
Ranma and Akane's failed wedding consider your tribal marriage to Ranma 
over

Shampoo: but great grandmother

Cologne: no buts great granddaughter you have dishonored your self too many 
times trying to capture the outsiders heart ... I let the law concerning 
outsiders slide for this long but I can no longer let it slide now there is 
no dishonor in not being able to capture an outsiders heart but you're many 
failed attempts have brought you dishonor and until you can atone for them 
you may not return home

Shampoo: what shampoo do first

Cologne: apologizing to Ranma and Akane would be a good place to start

Shampoo: shampoo go apologize

[shampoo leaves head hung low]

Mousse: ....  Elder

Cologne: no I will not help you win shampoo's heart directly ....  The only 
piece of advice I can give you is go and visit an eye doctor as soon as 
possible duck boy

[meanwhile at the dojo Ranma is sparing with Akane by the koi pond while 
Genma and Nodoka sit at the dining room table]

Nodoka: [looking exhausted] ...

Genma: [actually looking concerned] are you okay no-chan

Nodoka: [smiling weekly] yeah just a little tired dear [absentmindedly taps 
her fingers on Ranma's watch case]

Genma: ....[looking very concerned] you enchanted something last night 
didn't you

Nodoka: yeah

Genma: [sighs] how many times have I told you not to strain your self like 
that

Nodoka: [smiles] oh don't worry about it so much gen-kun 

Genma: if you do that too often it's going to hurt you

Nodoka: [giggles] does it hurt Ranma to project huge balls of energy using 
his ki

Genma: no...

Nodoka: Magic is the same way Genma it doesn't hurt me but it's still very 
hard to do

Genma: are you sure

Nodoka: of course I am

Genma: ......[starts to look worried] ...but

Nodoka: I know you've had some bad experiences with Magic gen-kun but 
believe it or not Magic is not inherently evil

Genma: ...[sighs] I still say Magic is more trouble then it's worth

Nodoka: [sighs] ... that's probably because you don't understand how Magic 
really works

[Genma leaves mumbling about Magic being like women]

Nodoka: [scratching her chin thoughtfully] he's right in a way

[a few minutes later Ranma and Akane enter]

Akane: [looking absolutely bushed] food must have food

[Nodoka shoves some food in front of Akane who does a very good impression 
of Ranma eating at Tenshin Amaguriken speed]

Akane: [licking her chops] mhh that was good

Ranma: [who of course finished two seconds before Akane] yep it sure was

Nodoka: [raising an eyebrow as she thinks] how in the world do they eat 
that fast ... I mean I doubt they could get it in there stomach's faster if 
they used a Teleport spell

[at this time the gates to the dojo are heard opening]

Ranma: [turning around to see shampoo] ok this is weird shampoo is using a 
door

Akane: [turning around to see shampoo] she doesn't seem very happy

[a few seconds later shampoo enters using the door]

Shampoo: [holding a letter] this for Ranma from great grandmother

[Ranma opens the letter and begins to read it]

Ranma: [reading the letter] as per tribal law 46-84-65-4 shampoo has failed 
to capture your heart within an allotted number of attempts therefore she 
has no right to your hand in marriage and as per tribal law 46-84-65-5 she 
must give up all claims such as the kiss of death to everyone that she 
placed such a claim on because of her attempts to win your heart and as per 
tribal law 46-84-65-6 she must complete 7 tasks of your choosing to regain 
her honor and return to her home three of the tasks should be asked by your 
fiancée Akane another 3 will be your personal tasks while the last will be 
one given by the both of you

Shampoo: shampoo ready

Ranma: hum just a second shampoo

[Ranma grabs Akane and they both enter the kitchen]

Ranma: well what should we do

Akane: [biting her lip] I suppose we should give her 7 tasks to do ... but 
despite all the rotten things she's done I don't want to make her do 
anything that will make her lose any more honor ... I mean did you see the 
way she was acting

Ranma: yeah as if somebody had just taken way every last bit of her 
honor ... actually that's exactly what has happened ....  Off hand I can 
think of one thing ... and that's to find a cure for my fear of cats

Akane: ... okay 

Akane: that should keep her out of trouble for a while as well as give her 
a sense of purpose

Ranma: ok let's go give her first task

[Ranma and Akane reenter the dining room to find Shampoo brooding]

Ranma: Shampoo I've thought of a task for you and that task is to find a 
cure for my fear of cats 

Shampoo: ... Shampoo do .... What of Akane's tasks

Akane: by the time you finish Ranma's task I'll have thought of something

[shampoo nods happily and then in typical shampoo fashion leaves through 
the wall of the dojo]

Akane: well at least she's feeling better

Ranma: true

Nodoka: [face faulting] does she always go through the wall

Ranma: yep

Nodoka: [sighs] oh well ...oh Ranma I finished enchanting your watch last 
night

Ranma: cool so how do I use it

Nodoka: it's quite simple whenever you change forms your close will change 
to whenever you put on in that form previously ... I also added a extra 
little feature

Akane: so what is this extra feature do

Nodoka: it will dry Ranma's clothes along with Ranma instantly ... all 
Ranma has to do to activate it is place his hand over the watch and say or 
think the phrase "how dry I am" and the watch will dry Ranma and his 
clothes instantly

Ranma: cool no more walking around soaking wet all the time

Nodoka: [handing Ranma the watch] now go and try it out

[Ranma leaves]

Nodoka: [sighs and pinches the rigid of her nose] ...

Akane: you ok Aunt Nodoka

Nodoka: yeah it's just been a longtime sense I enchanted something and it 
took a lot out of me ... but after I have something to eat and a good nap 
I'll be fine [yawns] ... on second thought a long and good nap [smiles]

[suddenly a yelp is heard from upstairs]

Nodoka: [looking a bit shocked] whoops I should've told him that the first 
time he changed forms that since the watch has no memory of a previous 
garment that well ...

Akane: well at least she's alone

Ranma-chan: [from upstairs] Ryouga when I get my hands-on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[suddenly Ryouga runs by with a bloody nose screaming that he honestly 
wasn't peeping followed shortly by Ranma-chan who is just wearing some old 
boxer shorts]

Ryouga: honestly man I wasn't peeping!!!!!

[crack!!!]

[Ryouga earns a free trip to the ionosphere and Ranma-chan reenters 
grumbling about what a pervert Ryouga is before returning to her room]

Nodoka: [raising an eyebrow] you were saying

Akane: nothing, nothing at all

[about 10 minutes later Ranma reenters wearing the watch]

Akane: so did it work

Ranma: yep

[Akane takes this cue and splashes Ranma with a bucket of water that she 
was hiding causing Ranma to change into Ranma-chan who is now dressed in a 
skirt and blouse which are soaking wet due to the amount of water Akane 
used]

Ranma-chan: [placing her hand on her watch] how dry I am

[in an instant Ranma-Chan's clothes are dry along with Ranma-chan]

Nodoka: [trying to stifle a giggle] you left yourself wide open for that 
one daughter

Ranma-chan: [sweat drops] I know mom, I know... come on Akane

[Ranma-chan and Akane leave]

[later at Ucchan's Ukyou is serving a pair of familiar antagonists who are 
both arguing over who is a demon sorcerer while Ukyou just wonders how the 
Kunou's can be so dense when Ranma and Akane enter instantly causing Kunou 
and Kodachi to attack Ranma and Akane but before they can get out of their 
seats Ukyou has smacked them both over the head with her battle spatula 
knocking them out cold]

Ukyou: [looking at her battle spatula which now has a Kunou shaped dent in 
it] I'll say one thing for Kunou he's certainly got a hard head

Ranma: true

Ukyou: so how's my new brother today

Ranma: just fine sis

Ukyou: so did your mom get done enchanting your watch

Ranma: yep

Ukyou: so how does it work

[Akane takes this cue to dump a nearby glass of water on Ranma who changes 
into Ranma-chan who is dressed in a skirt and blouse]

Akane: [smiling mischievously] like that

Ranma-chan: [putting her hand on her watch] how dry I am [in an instant 
Ranma-Chan's clothes become dry]

Ukyou: [blinks] how did you do that last part

Ranma-chan: an extra bonus feature my mom threw in that dries my clothes 
after I change forms

Ukyou: cool!!

[At this time Kunou and Kodachi regain consciousness and Kunou predictably 
grabs for Ranma-chan and Akane who predictably kick him in the face 
followed by Kodachi who wips out her ribbon but Akane who is fed up with 
the two Kunou's grabs Kodachi's ribbon and wraps it around both siblings]

Akane: enough is enough you two

Ranma-chan: agreed 

Ukyou: ditto over here

Akane: Ukyou were going to need a lot of hot and cold water

Ukyou: come on sis let's go get a few hundred liters

Ranma-chan: agreed

[Ukyou and Ranma-chan leave and Ranma and Ukyou return a few minutes later 
with two large squirt guns]

Ukyou: [putting her squirt gun down on the counter and then walking over 
and drawing the blinds before returning to pick up her squirt gun]

Ranma: [taking off his watch and handing it to Akane] okay you two thick 
headed morons were going to prove to you once and for all that me and the 
"pigtailed goddess" are the same person

[Kunou and Kodachi predictably start one of their usual rants]

Akane: [her battle aura flaring as she waves her mallet around menacingly] 
shut up!!!

Ranma: thank you Akane [sighs and hands his squirt gun to Akane] now the 
squirt guns are loaded with ordinary water

[Akane squirts Kunou with her squirt gun]

Kunou: akk cold!!

Ukyou: freezing actually ...[Ukyou squirts Kodachi]

Kodachi: akk HOT!!!!!

Ranma: boiling actually

[at this time Ranma takes off his shirt]

Ranma: now I have a curse that

[Akane squirts Ranma with the cold water squirt gun]

Ranma-chan: that changes me into a woman anytime I am doused with cold 
water and I return to male form

[Ukyou squirts Ranma with the hot water in her squirt gun causing Ranma-
chan to change back to Ranma]

Ranma: when doused with hot water

[Kunou and Kodachi blink and blink hard before they start their rants 
again]

Akane: [her mallet out once more] I said shut up!!!!

[The pair of siblings idiots become quiet once again]

Ranma: [sighs deeply] we're just going to have to keep doing this until 
they get it guys

[both Ukyou and Akane sweat drop before continuing their aquatic on slot 
which concludes about five hours later when the two Kunou's finally manage 
to get a clew and leave looking very green]

Ranma: [sneezes] I don't think I've ever been this wet in my entire life 
[puts back on his shirt and watch] how dry I am

[the watch's magic manages to dry Ranma enough so he is at no risk of 
catching pneumonia]

Akane: ... those two are such complete and total .... [Sighs] ... I can't 
even think of a word to describe those twos incompetence

Ukyou: same here

Ranma: [thinking] ditto here and I've read at least five very substantial 
dictionaries

[Akane and Ukyou laugh]

Akane: [still giggling] come on my baka let's get home

[later back at the dojo's training hall Ranma is thinking when Akane enters 
dressed in her usual training garb]

Ranma: [scratching his chin thoughtfully] ....  Akane where's your mallet

Akane: [starts to look for said object but can't find it] well that's odd I 
know I have it here somewhere

Ranma: [thinking] she doesn't know how to create a hyperspace pocket she 
doesn't have enough skill for that yet so where does she get that 
mallet ...[aloud] stupid tomboy can't even keep track of your own mallet

[Akane instantly produces her mallet but just before she strikes Ranma with 
it she stops cold as she realizes what she has in her hands]

Akane: [looking at her mallet which vanishes with her anger] hum Ranma I 
know I didn't have that mallet a second ago [gulps] what's going on

Ranma: I'm not sure yet but the way it vanished tells me it's not a real 
mallet and you didn't pull it out of a hyperspace pocket like mousse does 
with all of his hidden weapons ....  In fact the only thing that makes a 
shred of sense is that mallet was some kind of ki attack ... in fact that's 
the only thing that makes sense

Akane: you mean all of this time I've been malleting you with my own ki 
attack??

Ranma: off hand that's the only thing that makes sense ... and I've only 
seen you use that mallet of yours when you're really angry ... which 
usually means I've done something stupid

Akane: can you try and help me make more use of it

Ranma: yeah sure but first I need to know how you do it ..... Turnaround I 
need to hit a few pressure points on your back

Akane: [turning around] ok

[Ranma hits a few pressure points on Akane's back]

Ranma: now how do you feel

Akane: angry at everything

Ranma: ok now pull out your mallet ... but don't think about doing it

Akane: ok

[Akane pulls out her mallet]

Ranma: good now I need to feel your ki ...[Ranma puts his hands on Akane 
shoulders] ... this is going to take a while kay

[Akane just nods her head and Ranma begins to feel Akane ki]

[about an hour later Ranma finishes by pressing a few more pressure points]

Akane: so did you

Ranma: yeah ...[smiles] I'll say one thing about your mallet it isn't 
stupid ...[Ranma materializes a mallet much to Akane's shock]

Akane: can you teach me how do that without ... well without me having to 
be angry

Ranma: [playfully tapping Akane on the head] of course my uncute tomboy

-[a dress for Akane]-

[It has been approximately a week sense Akane learned to use her mallet 
technique]

[mid day at a women's clothing store Ranma-chan who is dressed in a 
feminine version of her usual garb (a red silk blouse and black skirt 
designed for fighting) is looking at some dresses when Sayuki and Yuka see 
her]

Yuka: [hiding along with Sayuki] is that who I think it is

Sayuki: [blinks] yeah I think so

[the two continue to spy on Ranma-chan who picks out a red and black dress 
that is cut very daringly but continues to look at various blue and green 
dresses that are cut both in a very feminine nature or a very tomboyish 
nature]

Ranma-chan: [still looking at the racks] damm nothing here suits her ... 
they're either to feminine [holds up a very daring dress] or two tomboyish 
[holds up an other dress designed to show off muscle] ... [sighs and sits 
down on a nearby chair] ... and none of them would last long considering 
that tomboy's tendency to get into fights ...[raises an eyebrow and looks 
over at Sayuki and Yuka who predictably start to freak out and hide] ... 
you two might as well come out I've known you've been there the whole time

[slowly Sayuki and Yuka approach Ranma-chan]

Yuka: [looking at the very daring red and black dress] hum is that for 
Akane

Ranma-chan: [raising an eyebrow] can you imagine her in something like that 
Yuka

Yuka: hum no

Sayuki: then who is it for

Ranma-chan: [raising her other eyebrow] guess

Yuka: [looking at Ranma-Chan's current attire] you mean you're actually 
getting that for yourself

Ranma-chan: yeah

Sayuki: but what if your mom

[on that cue Nodoka pops her head around the corner]

Nodoka: you done yet ran-chan

Ranma-chan: mostly mom

Nodoka: [smiling] ok

[Nodoka vanishes back into the racks]

Yuka: [looking very confused] hum 

Ranma-chan: don't worry Yuka ...[sighs as she looks at the other dresses 
she has lined up] ...

Sayuki: hum ...are you trying to pick out something for Akane

Ranma-chan: yeah ... I want to get her something feminine yet 
tomboyish ...[tear drops] and preferably something that won't fall apart if 
she gets into a fight 

Yuka: hum Ranma

Ranma-chan: what ... [looks at Sayuki and Yuka] ...oh!! ...tell you what 
let me give my mom the dress I picked out and then I'll take you two to 
have some ice cream ... [looks at the pile of blue and green dresses] ... I 
can't seem to find anything for Akane here anyhow

[Ranma-chan grabs her red and black dress and vanishes for a few seconds]

Ranma-chan: come on girls let's go

[later at the ice cream parlor Ranma-chan, Yuka, and Sayuki sit alone in 
the back corner while Ranma-chan explains the events of last week]

Yuka: so you've just decided to be a girl when a girl [scratches her head]

Ranma-chan: something along those lines Yuka

Sayuki: so how is Akane taking this

Ranma-chan: she's ok with it

Yuka: are you sure

Ranma-chan: yeah she's told me so ...[smiles] and we both know that tomboy 
is brutally honest

[Yuka and Sayuki nod in agreement]

Yuka: so how's your mom handling all of this

Ranma-chan: [raising her eyebrow] who do you think thought of the idea in 
the first place

Sayuki: ahh!! ... so how are you handling this

Ranma-chan: fine

Yuka: but aren't you afraid someone will dump some hot water on you and

Ranma-chan: [points to her watch] this little item changes my clothing 
whenever I change

Yuka: damm that is so cool!!!

Sayuki: so how's your father doing

Ranma-chan: [face faults] ... he keeps coming up with these schemes to 
remind me that "I'm a man" that are so ... well he woke me up this morning 
by barging into my room dressed as some kind of American Indian ready to go 
out to war ... he had war paint on and the whole bit 

Sayuki: what did you do

Ranma-chan: I just smacked him with a mallet for being so stupid so early 
in the morning

Yuka: so were you male or female at the time

Ranma-chan: male ...[smiles] if I was female I would've called him a 
pervert then smacked him with a mallet for being stupid

[Sayuki and Yuka laugh]

Yuka: you're kidding about the war paint bit aren't you

Ranma-chan: no [laughs]

Sayuki: what

Ranma-chan: after he came downstairs Akane booted him into the pond [laughs 
even harder] the sight of a panda dressed as an American Indian on the 
warpath is the funniest thing I have ever seen in my entire life .... It 
took me, Akane, and my mom at least 10 minutes to stop laughing ourselves 
silly

[at this time Sayuki and Yuka begin to laugh hysterically]

Yuka: please tell me someone had a camera

Ranma-chan: why do you think Akane booted him into the pond

Sayuki: ....  Whenever you get those prints you've got to show us them

Ranma-chan: will do

Yuka: so do you really want to give Akane a dress

Ranma-chan: yeah but I can't find anything for her ....[sighs] maybe I 
should just make something

[hearing this Yuka and Sayuki face-fault as well as do a triple take]

Yuka: but what do you know about dress making

[in response Ranma-chan pulls a book about dress making out of nowhere]

Ranma-chan: more than you would guess Yuka [puts the book away]

Sayuki: how do you do that ... I mean pull stuff out of nowhere

Ranma-chan: hyperspace pocket technique

Yuka: so that's where Akane keeps that bloody mallet

Ranma-chan: [laughs] nope Akane doesn't know that technique ....  And to 
answer your next question her mallet's are her ki attack

Sayuki: you mean like that ball of energy you shoot off

Ranma-chan: yes and no ...

Yuka: well that's all very interesting but what about Akane's dress

Ranma-chan: [pulls an art tablet out of nowhere] this is what I want the 
dress to look like

Yuka: [looking absolutely stunned] it's beautiful but yet 

Sayuki: tomboyish ....  In a word definitely Akane

Ranma-chan: exactly ... and I haven't been able to find anything that even 
comes close to that design .... [Sighs]

Yuka: what kind of fabric do you think this should be made of

Ranma-chan: hum something as smooth and comfortable as silk but as strong 
as steel and as flexible and elastic as rubber

Sayuki: ...[smiling dreamily] oh Ranma that sounds so comfortable ...and 
sexy

Yuka: yeah almost magical

Ranma-chan: [rubbing her chin thoughtfully] say girls you wouldn't happen 
to know Akane's measurements would you

[Sayuki and Yuka just grin]

[later back at the dojo Ranma enters the living room to find Nodoka]

Ranma: hay mom can you get magical fabric

Nodoka: ... what kind of magical fabric

Ranma: as smooth and comfortable as silk but as strong as steel and as 
flexible and elastic as rubber

Nodoka: [thinks for a little bit] yeah it's called mystic silk very easy to 
get a hold of and it also takes any dye natural or artificial so getting 
the right color's no problem either

Ranma: [smiles broadly] cool ... [pulls out a tablet and looks at it for a 
bit] I'll need some of that mystic silk in cyan and aqua green

Nodoka: exactly how much

Ranma: [putting the tablet away as he bites his lip] a bolt of each ... and 
I'll also need some thread made of the same stuff and in the same colors

Nodoka: going to make something are you

Ranma: yep and no asking what it is because it's a surprise

Nodoka: I should be able to get you the fabric by Wednesday at the latest

Ranma: fine ..oh and don't let Akane know about this

Nodoka: [smiles] ok

[later that week Akane and Nodoka are sitting alone in the living room 
playing shoji]

Akane: [biting her lip] do you know what Ranma's been up to sense Wednesday

Nodoka: no

Akane: he's been awfully secretive

Nodoka: he certainly has Akane he hasn't even let me into his room

Akane: I wonder what he's up to

Ranma: [from upstairs] ahh success!!!!!!!!!

[A few seconds later Ranma runs by and then runs by again going back to his 
room carrying a gift box]

Akane: ok now that was weird

Nodoka: [thinking] well where about to see what he made with all of that 
mystic silk

[a few minutes later Ranma reenters with a gift box]

Ranma: Akane this is for you

[Akane opens the box to reveal a beautiful blue and aqua green dress that 
is very feminine but at the same time very tomboyish]

Akane: [absolutely blown away] it's ....  Absolutely beautiful ... where on 
earth did you get this Ranma

[Ranma just smiles and whispers something into Akane's ear after which she 
turns as red as her namesake]

Akane: [stuttering severely] you made this!!! [Blinks]

Ranma: go and try it on [smiles] my very uncute tomboy

[Akane gives Ranma a big hug and runs off with the dress in hand]

Ranma: [thinking] absolutely nothing can ruin this

[a few minutes later Akane reenters dressed in the beautiful blue and aqua 
green dress which when she stands flows over her like water and when she 
moves accentuates the fact she is very well built in both feminine curves 
and muscular development]

Akane: [dancing around happily] oh Ranma it's beautiful and so flexible and 
soft

[for the next few minutes Akane prances around merrily until she sits down 
by the door]

Akane: [crying happily] oh Ranma

[Akane is interrupted by the happy screens of three familiar people running 
into the dojo and as Akane gets up and opens the door she sees her father 
looking absolutely astatic as he runs towards the dojo with a flask of 
water but as he sees his daughter in the beautiful blue and aqua green 
dress he trips sending the flask directly at Akane who has no time to react 
before it strikes the head board above her splashing her with its contents]

Kasumi: [her smile quickly fading] oh my...

Nabiki: oh kami no ....

Soun: [crying] what have I've done!!!!!

Ranma: [thinking] something did ruin tonight 

Nodoka: are you ok Akane

[the view pans to show a very, very pissed off Akane-Kun who is still 
dressed in the beautiful blue and aqua green dress that Ranma made for her]

Akane-Kun: [starting to glow red along with doing a very good imitation of 
Ranma's voice] pop when I get my hands-on you for ruining this dress

[Soun gulps and gulps hard before running off at warp speed after which 
Akane-Kun collapses on to his knees and starts to cry]

Ranma: don't worry about the dress Akane it's made of mystic silk it can 
take being stretched without being damaged

[Akane-Kun examines his dress to find that it has indeed sustained no 
permanent damage]

Akane-Kun: [drying his eyes as he smiles] you designed it for combat didn't 
you

Ranma: [smiles] of course Akane ...[sighs] I'll be right back with some hot 
water kay

[Ranma leaves and Nabiki and Kasumi walk up to Akane-Kun who has started to 
cry again]

Akane-Kun: [crying] of all the rotten times to get cursed it had to be 
right after Ranma gave me a present like this

Nabiki: are you ok sis

Akane-Kun: [crying] no Ranma spent the whole week making this dress and 
Daddy just had to trip and splash Nannichuan all over me and ruin the 
moment for both me and Ranma

Nabiki: [blinks] Ranma made this!!!!!! 

[Akane-Kun just nods and continues to cry]

Kasumi: he's very talented isn't he

[Akane-Kun stops crying a little bit and smiles]

Akane-Kun: [smiles half heartily] yeah I suppose he is sis

Nabiki: but what about

Akane-Kun: [giggles] hum ...well 

[Akane-kun goes into a short recap of the months events]

[meanwhile in the kitchen Ranma is heating up some hot water on the stove 
while mumbling something about the hot water heater being broken when 
Nodoka enters]

Nodoka: you ok son

Ranma: no if Soun hadn't seen her in that dress he would have never tripped 
and [starts to sob]

Nodoka: ... I'm sorry son

Ranma: will you please make her an enchanted watch mom [sniffs] she'll 
probably need it

Nodoka: I'll have it ready by tomorrow kay

[Ranma nods and the kettle of hot water starts to steam]

Ranma: [taking the kettle of water] thanks mom

[Ranma leaves]

[meanwhile back on the porch Akane-Kun is laughing about how Ukyou, shampoo, 
and Kodachi all were chasing him while Nabiki and Kasumi both have an evil 
look in their eyes concerning what Ranma did to Akane when Ranma returns 
with the hot water]

Ranma: [sniffs] here Akane

[Akane-Kun quickly pours the water over his head changing back to Akane]

Akane: thanks Ranma [dries her eyes and looks at her dress which shows 
absolutely no sign of being stretched but every sign of being very wet] I 
guess a date will have to wait until I can wash the dress my Ranma no baka

[Akane leaves still trying to dry her eyes after which Ranma collapses to 
his knees and starts to cry]

Ranma: dammit why did this have to happen to her ...[slams his fist down 
onto the porch] It's just not fair no one should have one of these damm 
curses permanently

[for the next minute and a half Ranma continues to cry and pulverize pieces 
of the porch while Nabiki and Kasumi's anger just fade away seeing the 
strongest man they know break down while crying just as hard as their 
father]

Nabiki: ....[slaps Ranma hard] snap out of it man

Ranma: [regaining some of his composer] ....[blinks] thanks Nabiki I 
definitely needed that

[Ranma gets up and walks off to Akane's room]

Nodoka: are you two ok

[Nabiki and Kasumi just look at Nodoka with very confused expressions on 
their faces]

Nodoka: come on I'll tell you what's happened since you left for China

[meanwhile back up in Akane's room Ranma sits and just holds Akane who is 
still crying about how her father ruined one of the best moments of her 
life]

[meanwhile back in the dining room Nodoka explains the events of the month 
starting with Ranma's use of instant Nannichuan and waterproof soap to 
teach Akane a lesson and the reasons behind it]

Nabiki: [squeezing her tea cup so hard she is in danger of breaking it] how 
could he

Nodoka: quite easily actually he asked her to apologize and when she didn't 
he splashed her with the bucket of water containing the mix of instant 
Nannichuan and waterproof soap

[Nabiki's grip increases and she does indeed shatter her tea cup]

Nodoka: [quickly examining Nabiki's hands which remarkably are unharmed] 
Nabiki you shouldn't do things like that

Nabiki: [still fuming] but he

Nodoka: let me finish

[Nodoka continues to relate the story of Akane's week as a man and finishes 
approximately 20 minutes later]

Nabiki: [still angry] you mean she doesn't hold it against him

Nodoka: quite the opposite actually ... Akane said that Ranma was dead 
right about her behavior and she deserved everything she got for being such 
a sexist towards men

Kasumi: what was Ranma doing for all of that time

Nodoka: ....  He said he was so ashamed of what he had to do that he didn't 
want to see Akane until she could change back ... and so he spent that 
entire week locked in his room reading a libraries' worth of books

Nabiki: your joking about the books right I mean reading is not Ranma's 
forte

Nodoka: it is now ... I saw him run through a book on history so fast that 
I thought the book would catch fire

Nabiki: your kidding

Nodoka: no he says his reading speed is ....hum over 100,000 words per 
minute

Nabiki: 100,000!!!!!!!!!!

Nodoka: yep ... well continuing on with the months adventures

[about 2 hours later Nodoka has related the months events]

Nabiki: ok let me get this straight , Ranma accepts his girl half, shampoo 
is no longer after Ranma, and Ukyou is now Ranma's sister, and Ranma is 
training Akane but they still fight

Nodoka: not fight, fight ... more like play fighting

Nabiki: ok ... anything else I should know

Ranma: [just entering with a face that looks paler then a ghost who had 
just been scared to death again] yeah

Kasumi: what

Ranma: she said she doesn't want to get rid of her curse

[Ranma's face becomes even paler before he faints]

Nabiki: [blinks as she sees Akane entering the room] hum sis

Akane: [just entering in a green gi and white pants] what sis [at this time 
Akane sees Ranma and predictably she develops a look of panic]  hum Kasumi 
that shade of white doesn't look very healthy

[Nodoka sighs and then picks up a nearby kettle of water which she splashes 
Ranma with causing him to wake up instantly]

Ranma: [blinks] thanks mom I needed that [Ranma passes out again]

Akane: [sensing that she is at fault] this is my fault isn't it

[Nodoka just nods before picking up Ranma and leaving]

Akane: [sitting down and pouring herself a cup of tea] ....[sighs] what a 
rotten evening this has turned out to be especially since it started so 
wonderfully ... oh well maybe tomorrow will be nicer

Nabiki: sis are you ok

Akane: ... so so Nabiki ...[gulps] ...

Nabiki: what's wrong

Akane: well hum [turns blue] ...

[Akane reluctantly starts to relate the tale of why Kodachi, shampoo, and 
Ukyou were chasing her around]

Nabiki: ...[looking mortified] oh sis when they find out ... I mean you 
were acting worse then Ranma does

Akane: [sighs] I know ...[face faults] a lot worse

Kasumi: [smiling] you were just acting by all the stereotypes you had about 
men

Akane: [tear-dropping as she gives Kasumi the evil eye] I know that sis ... 
believe me I know that

Nabiki: should I draw up your last will and testament

Akane: [sighs] no sis ... although I better ask Ranma how to breathe in the 
ionosphere

[Akane leaves]

Nabiki: a thousand yen that Ranma doesn't know about what Akane just told 
us

Kasumi: [smiling] sorry little sister

[suddenly the screams of a very shocked Ranma can be heard upstairs]

Ukyou: [just entering] hum what's up with my brother

Nabiki: hum well 

Kasumi: why don't you go upstairs and get them Nabiki

[Nabiki leaves]

[meanwhile in Ranma's room Ranma has gone absolutely blue in the face]

Ranma: your joking aren't you I mean not even I act that bad

Akane: [absentmindedly rubbing the back of her neck] I know, believe me I 
know but that's what happened

Ranma: you made a pass at each of them Akane

Akane: [turning blue as well as red] yeah 

Nabiki: [just entering] Ranma your sister is here

Akane: [gulps] hum Ranma would you give me a quick lesson on how to breathe 
in the ionosphere

Ranma: yeah

[about five minutes later Ranma walks back downstairs to find Ukyou 
cheerfully talking with Nabiki and Kasumi]

Ukyou: hay ran-chan Nabiki says that your cousin Akama is visiting again

Akane-Kun: [just entering and looking very sheepish] hum Ucchan

[Ukyou instantly gloms Akane-Kun much to the surprise of Ranma]

Ranma: hum Ucchan I don't have a cousin Akama

Ukyou: what are you talking about ran-chan he's right here

Ranma: [tapping a kettle of hot water suggestively] take a closer look at 
A-KA-ma

[Ukyou turns around and does indeed take a close look at Akane-Kun]

Ukyou: ...[looking at Akane-Kun's eyes] ...A ...KA ...NE???!!!

[Akane-Kun just nods his head sheepishly and Ukyou predictably smacks him 
into the ionosphere]

Ukyou: that ...that ...[blinks as she realizes who she just smacked into 
the upper ionosphere] ...oh my I just hit ...[blinks again]

Ranma: hit my currently male fiancée into low earth orbit

Ukyou: [turning red] oh I'm so sorry Ranma I don't know what came over me

Ranma: ... well while Akane is enjoying the view from the edge of the 
atmosphere why don't you sit down and I'll explain everything

-[no longer just a tomboy]-

[early morning at the dojo we hear the screens of someone entering the 
lower atmosphere]

Ranma: [taking a sip of his tea as he watches Akane-Kun hit the koi pond] I 
give him a 2

Nabiki: 3

Nodoka: 3

Kasumi: 2.5

Genma: 2.5

Soun: [cries] what have I've done to my daughter ...and a 2

[a few seconds later Akane-Kun gets out of the koi pond and walks into the 
dining room]

Ranma: there's a hot bath waiting for you

Akane-Kun: thanks Ranma

[Akane-Kun leaves and returns about 10 minutes later as Akane who is 
dressed in one of Ranma's usual outfits]

Akane: I hope you don't mind me borrowing this 

Ranma: not at all

Akane: so how mad was Ukyou with me

[Ranma whispers something into Akane's ear after which she turns green then 
resorts to one of Ranma's techniques ... banging her head against the table 
repeatedly which causes a glass of water to spill on her]

Ranma: Akane

[Akane-Kun just picks up a nearby glass of water and splashes Ranma with it 
before leaving for the training hall]

Ranma-chan: [now dressed in her usual feminine garb] well at least he's 
being a good sport about things

[seeing Ranma's transformation both in sex and clothing Nabiki, Kasumi, and 
Soun predictably want to know what the hell is going on but Ranma-chan just 
leaves for the training hall with a new wristwatch in her hand]

[a few seconds later in the training hall Akane-Kun sits banging his head 
against a cinder block which has long since crumbled to dust when Ranma-
chan enters]

Ranma-chan: [giggles] Akane I have something for you

Akane-Kun: [lifting his head up which has numerous lumps on it] what

Ranma-chan: [throws Akane a wristwatch] my mom made this for you ... it 
does the same thing's as mine does

Akane-Kun: [putting the watch on] tell your mom thank you for me 

[Akane-Kun picks up and another cinder block and proceeds to bash it in to 
dust using his head]

[a few minutes later back in the dining room Ranma-chan enters]

Nabiki: so what's Akane doing

Ranma-chan:  bashing cinder blocks

Nabiki: just bashing cinder block's??

Ranma-chan: with his head

Nabiki: ouch!!

Ranma-chan: that's what I said

Kasumi: oh my I hope Akane doesn't hurt himself

Ranma-chan: don't worry the cinder blocks don't stand a chance

[Ranma-chan sits down and adjusts her blouse before having some tea]

Nabiki: hum your mom told us about your watch

Ranma-chan: yeah pretty cool hun

[at this time Akane-Kun walks by with numerous lumps on his head without 
saying a word]

Kasumi: can your mom make another watch like that for Akane

Ranma-chan: already taken care of Kasumi

Nabiki: hum is what your mom said about you accepting your girl half true

Ranma-chan: [raising her eye brow] I'm wearing a skirt right now aren't I 
Nabiki

Nabiki: [gulps while thinking] damm he has changed

[at this time Akane-kun walks in dressed in one of Ranma's usual outfits 
but still looking a little green]

Ranma-chan: you ok

Akane-kun: other than a splitting headache yeah

Ranma-chan: [picking up a nearby kettle of hot water] good

[Ranma-chan pours the kettle of hot water over her head becoming Ranma]

Ranma: you use the watch yet

Akane-kun: yeah

Ranma: good ...  Well lets go shopping for some new clothes for you kay

Akane-Kun: kay Ranma

[Akane-Kun and Ranma leave]

[Later that day at Ucchan's Ranma and Akane-Kun enter dressed in T-shirt 
and jeans to find Ryouga and Ukyou talking about Akane-Kun]

Ranma: [sitting down by Ryouga] so p-chan how you doing

Ryouga: [looking over at Akane-kun who has a I'm going to kill you look in 
his eye] hum just fine

Ukyou: let me guess Akane finally found out about your curse

[Akane-Kun shifts his death gaze to Ukyou]

Akane-Kun: you mean you knew

Ukyou: everyone knew but you a-Kun

Akane-Kun: why am I suddenly feeling as dumb has a Kunou

Ranma: ahh Akane don't put yourself down like that

Ukyou: yeah a-Kun you didn't know

[Akane-Kun just glares at Ryouga who starts to look like something caught 
in an on coming black holes gravity well]

Akane-Kun: [sighs and then sits down beside Ranma] I'll have my usual 
Ucchan

[later back at the dojo Akane-Kun is sitting by the pond when Soun walks by 
and notices he isn't wearing a shirt and predictably starts going into a 
tizzy about it]

Akane-Kun: shut up pop

Soun: [whaling] but it's indecent for a girl

Akane-Kun: you never complained when Ranma ran around without a shirt on in 
girl form

Ranma-chan: [wearing a two-piece bikini and carrying a beach towel and sun 
tan lotion] he's got you their Tendo

Soun: but but but

Akane-Kun: [taking the sun tan lotion from Ranma-chan] but nothing dad 
[starts applying sun tan lotion to himself] you got me cursed permanently 
so deal with it

Ranma-chan: [lying down on her stomach] hay A-kun when you're done with the 
sun tan lotion could you do my back

Akane-kun: sure thing my Ranma no baka

[at this time Soun predictably goes into a brain freeze as Akane-Kun starts 
rubbing Ranma-Chan's back down with sun tan lotion and leaves twitching]

Akane-Kun: [giggling as he finishes] that was fun

Ranma-chan: it certainly was ...[stretches] tell you what later we should 
switch forms and I'll apply sun tan lotion to your back

Akane-Kun: it's a deal [slaps Ranma-chan on the butt]

Ranma-chan: such a naughty boy you make [whispers something into Akane-
Kun's ear]

[Akane-Kun smiles as he whispers something back before laying down beside 
Ranma-chan]

[meanwhile in the dining room Nodoka just smiles along with Kasumi]

Kasumi: [laughing a little] they certainly are getting along better no-kun

Nodoka: true very true

[later that evening after a vigorous training session Ranma and Akane find 
themselves sitting by the koi pond]

Ranma: ....[looking at his reflection in the pond] ...

Akane: anything wrong

Ranma: [looking up] hum no just thinking

Akane: bout what

Ranma: nothing really ... so what are you thinking about

Akane: the same ....[sighs] ... you board

Ranma: yep... [looks at his watch] ...only 8:30

Akane: up for another practical joke

Ranma: naa ...[sighs] ... both your dad and mine, are still in a brain 
freeze from our last one

Akane: ...so read any good books lately

[Ranma just raises his eye brow as he glares at Akane]

Akane: dumb question

Ranma: very ... feel like sparing

Akane: naa ... so what do boys do when their board

Ranma: ... hang out and talk about girls mostly ....  Or play sports ....  
So what do girls to when their board

Akane: hang out and talk about boys, go shopping, talk about fashion and 
such

Ranma: .... Sounds boring

Akane: agreed ... feel like playing any sports

Ranma: nope

Akane: [sighs] same here .... so heard from Hiroshi or Daisuke

Ranma: no but I did run into Yuka and Sayuki last week when I was shopping 
with my mother at the dress store

Akane: really!

Ranma: yeah 

Akane: so how did they react

Ranma: confusion mostly ....  You know you really should tell them before 
school starts again

Akane: true ... well I'll call them

Ranma: and I'll wait by the gate ... and tell them what's happened

[Ranma splashes himself with some water from the koi pond becoming Ranma-
chan who then walks out the gates to the dojo]

[Akane sighs and then turns around to see Kasumi holding the dojo's 
portable phone]

Akane: [taking the phone] thanks sis

[Kasumi smiles and then leaves]

Akane: [dialing Yuka's phone number] .....

Yuka: [on the phone] moshi moshi

Akane: hi Yuka its Akane

Yuka: [on the phone] oh hi Akane, so did your sisters and dad get back yet

Akane: yeah they got back last night

Yuka: [on the phone] ...so

Akane: just call Sayuki and come over to the dojo ASAP

Yuka: [on the phone now sounding very nervous] ....hum ok Akane

[Yuka hangs up]

Akane: [sitting back down by the koi pond] .... good thing I didn't run 
into them that week

[about a half an hour later Sayuki and Yuka arrive to find Ranma-chan 
sitting outside the dojo dressed in her usual feminine garb]

Sayuki: is Akane ok Ranma

Ranma-chan: [sighs] that's a matter of some debate Sayuki

Yuka: what happened

Ranma-chan: ... it was just after I gave Akane the dress I had spent most 
of the week working on to Akane ...[smiles happily] ... which she looked 
absolutely gorgeous in

Sayuki: how gorgeous

Ranma-chan: a perfect ten in my opinion

Yuka: [looking nervous] what happened after that

Ranma-chan: just as Akane sat down by the door to the living room we heard 
Soun and Akane sisters arriving home so Akane quickly got up and opened the 
door but when Soun saw Akane in the dress he tripped and the flask of water 
he was carrying went flying and struck the head board of the door Akane was 
standing in and broke slashing her with it's contents

Sayuki and Yuka: what were the flask's contents

Ranma-chan:  Nannichuan

[Sayuki and Yuka both develop a mortified look on their faces]

Yuka: this has to be some kind of joke

[Ranma-chan just shakes her head]

Sayuki: is she ok

Ranma-chan: like I said it's a matter of some debate

Yuka: [yelling] and what's that supposed to mean!!!

Ranma-chan: it means she's only had the curse permanently for about two 
days

[Yuka and Sayuki look at Ranma with very confused looks on their faces]

Sayuki: what do you mean permanently

Ranma-chan: ...[sniffs] ... ask Akane he's waiting by the koi pond for you 
two

[Yuka and Sayuki enter the dojo to find Akane-Kun who is wearing a T-shirt 
and blue jeans waiting]

Yuka: ...[her mouth dry] ... Akane is that you

[Akane-Kun turns around and looks at Yuka and Sayuki before pouring a 
nearby kettle of hot water over his head transforming back into Akane

Akane: yeah it's me

Sayuki: oh kami Ranma wasn't lying

Yuka: what did Ranma mean when he said you've only had the curse 
permanently for two days

Akane: near the first of the month me and Ranma got into a really bad fight 
and I called him a sexist

Sayuki: [shaking her head] Ranma's bad Akane but he's no sexist not a month 
ago and definitely not now

Akane: yeah I know ....  The day after that he asked me to apologize "or 
else"

[Yuka and Sayuki go pale as they run across the thousands of things Ranma 
could do in response to Akane saying "or else what?"]

Yuka: so what did he do

Akane: ... he splashed me with a bucket of water containing 1 packet of 
instant Nannichuan and enough waterproof soap to last a week

[Yuka and Sayuki's faces become paler than ghosts]

Sayuki: oh Akane how could he do that to you

Akane: very easily he asked me to apologize or else and when I didn't 
apologize he gave me the or else option

[Sayuki and Yuka face-fault]

Yuka: that's not what we ment 

Akane: ...he didn't enjoy doing it if that's what you're concerned about ... 
after he did it he went up to his room and didn't come back out until the 
waterproof soap wore off

Sayuki: but you just said that he used enough waterproof soap to last a 
week

Akane: yeah I know

Yuka: so he spent the entire week locked in his room

Akane: yeah

Sayuki: but what did he do for all of that time

Akane: he read ... and read and read some more

Yuka: exactly how much did he read

Akane: a library's worth of books ... and no I'm not joking ... I was 
peeping through his key hole on Tuesday of that week and he was reading so 
fast that I thought for sure that the book would catch on fire

Yuka: did it

Akane: no but I did smell smoke

Sayuki: wow!!

Yuka: so ...

Akane: let's go to my room first kay

[Sayuki, Yuka, and Akane leave and just as they vanish into the dojo Ranma-
chan walks through the gates and sits down by the koi pond and examines the 
kettle of water only to find it empty]

Ranma-chan: oh well ...[sighs and looks behind herself to see Nodoka 
walking out of the kitchen with some tea]

Nodoka: so are you going to join Akane and her friends

Ranma-chan: [dusting imaginary dust off her blouse] I don't think it would 
be particularly healthy to join Akane and her friends right now

[suddenly both Ranma-chan and Nodoka can feel a wave of anger coming from 
Akane's room]

Nodoka: [blinks] agreed [pores Ranma-chan and herself a cup of tea] tea 
while we wait

[Ranma-chan and Nodoka proceed to have a tea party while they wait]

[meanwhile in Akane's room Akane relates the tale of her week as a man to 
her friends who are becoming increasingly angry as well as confused]

Akane: ...and then I found out about Ryouga's curse

Sayuki: so what did you do to him

Akane: after I beat the crap out of him twice I made him tell me why Ranma 
hadn't told me

Yuka: so what excuse did he give

Akane: he made Ranma give his word of honor that he wouldn't tell anyone ... 
and unfortunately the promise was made before I adopted "P-chan" so all 
Ranma could do was well

Sayuki: what he did

Yuka: so were you angry with Ranma

Akane: no I was still too angry with myself for being such a sexist and 
being angry with Ryouga to be angry with Ranma ... hum guys how long 

Sayuki: since we've known you

Yuka: we've tried to tell you but you've never listened

Akane: I can be as thick headed as Ranma can I

[Sayuki and Yuka just nod their heads in silent agreement]

[Akane sighs and then starts to cry]

Yuka: what's wrong Akane

Akane: if I hadn't been such a sexist pig me and Ranma

[Akane starts crying once again but is quickly consoled by her two friends]

[later a knock is heard at the door]

Akane: [sniffling] Ranma?

Ranma: [from outside] you okay in there my uncute tomboy

Akane: yeah [sniffs] my Ranma no baka

Ranma: [from outside] ...ok

[Ranma can be heard walking away from Akane's door]

Yuka: [blinks] wow he has changed

Akane: so have I Yuka so have I [absentmindedly starts rubbing her 
wristwatch] ....[sighs] ...

Sayuki: what's wrong

Akane: me and Ranma have done so much growing up in this past month ... and 
now I have a curse permanently ... it's just so confusing ...[sighs 
deeply] ... and now schools just a few days away from starting

Yuka: are you okay

Akane: that's a matter of some debate Yuka ...[sighs] ...

Yuka: hum I think me and Sayuki will be leaving now

[Yuka and Sayuki leave and Ranma enters shortly thereafter and sits down by 
Akane who quickly wraps his arms around her]

Akane: [holding Ranma close to her] ...[sighs]

[Ranma just sighs back and they both continue to relax in each other's 
embrace]

-[back to school tomorrow]-

[early morning by the koi pond Akane-kun sits alone brooding over something 
when Soun walks up behind him]

Soun: Akane

Akane-Kun: [looking up distractedly] what! ...oh hi dad 

Soun: are you feeling ok 

Akane-Kun: hum I guess I am [sighs before dragging his hands over his 
face] ... it's just the past month has been well confusing to say the lest

Soun: do you want to talk about it

Akane-Kun: ...naa ....  You probably wouldn't understand any how

Soun: ... try me

[Akane-Kun shrugs his shoulders and begins to relate the months events to 
his father beginning with his week under the effects of a temporary curse 
who immediately starts to go pale]

[meanwhile in the living room Nodoka and Ranma sit quietly having tea]

Nodoka: you know you might want to vanish for a while son

Ranma: [taking a sip of his tea] naa ...[sighs and starts to listen to 
Akane] ...

Nodoka: anything wrong

Ranma: ... no it's just ...well I changed so much in the past month that I 
don't even recognize myself

Nodoka: true you have changed a great deal ... I would say you've mentally 
aged about 10 years maybe a little more ... and the same goes for Akane

Ranma: [raising an eyebrow] ... just how old are you mom

Nodoka: [laughs] physically I am as old as I appear to be it but mentally I 
am far older ...at lest 80 or so

Ranma: ... and me

Nodoka: around 25, maybe 6 on a good day ... and the same goes for Akane

[Ranma starts to look thoughtful]

Nodoka: so what are you two going to do today

Ranma: hum training, then well inform the rest of the crazies

Nabiki: [just entering while speaking in a tone that has all the warmth of 
a hundred liters of liquid nitrogen] let me handle that Ranma

Ranma: ok ...oh by the way me and Akane finely convinced Kunou and his 
sister earlier this month

Nabiki: [raising an eyebrow] really

Ranma: yeah ...hum check just to make sure 

Nabiki: [actually smiling] ok Ranma

[Nabiki leaves still grinning]

Ranma: [blinking loud enough to be heard] did Nabiki just smile or am I 
going crazy

Nodoka: if your going crazy than I must be going crazy to because I saw her 
smiling too

Ranma: [shivering] man that was the last thing I ever expected to see

Nodoka: agreed and I've seen a lot .... hay you don't think

Ranma: with Kunou ... yeah right

[an hour later Soun enters while executing his demon head technique to 
which he gets a mallet to the back the skull for]

Akane-Kun: DAD didn't I already told you not to yell at Ranma

Soun: but

Akane-Kun: grow up would you [sighs and lets his mallet vanish] come on 
Ranma let's get out of here

[Ranma nods and both he and Akane-kun leave the dojo]

Soun: [taking himself of before he grabs a cup of tea] ... sometimes Nodoka 
I don't think I'll ever understand them

Nodoka: [sighs while smiling half heartily] oh Soun my dear friend ..  They 
don't even understand themselves at the moment so how can you hope to 
understand them

Soun: as usual Nodoka your right

[meanwhile on a fence overlooking a familiar reservoir Ranma and Akane sit 
looking at the water]

Akane: is it just me or you feel totally and utterly confused

Ranma: no it's not just you ... I'm feeling the same way

Akane: [nervously] is this part of the curse

Ranma: no the curse may some confusion but not this much [starts rubbing 
his temples] ... I guess we've both done a lot of growing up in the past 
month ... and its finely catching up with us

Akane: [nodding her head thoughtfully] ... I guess that's the feeling I'm 
having ... I look at people now with a whole new perspective I see things I 
never saw before ...[sighs] how much growing up have we done

Ranma: my mom says at least 10 years worth ... and I'm inclined to believe 
her ... I mean I look in the mirror and I don't recognize myself ...

Akane: same here ... and I can't help looking at people like little 
children especially the usual gain of crazies

Ranma: ditto ...[looks thoughtful for a moment] ... I guess where no longer 
kids ourselves ... is this what being an adult means ... looking down on 
people

Akane: no ...[sighs] it's just we've see things from a different 
perspective a perspective where neither of us has a think head anymore

Ranma: well I wouldn't go that far Akane ... but one thing is for certain 
we're a lot less think headed then we were a month ago

Akane: this is true very true ... so what do you want to do

Ranma: hum I suppose we could go back to the dojo and train but I'm really 
not in the mood in the moment

Akane: me neither ...[sighs] ... now I'm just feeling board

Ranma: same here ... tomorrow its back to school back to the daily grind

Akane: yeah it sure is

[end]