- Location
- Elsewhere
Next step is when she tries to be evil, and fails.
"-and so I'll take all your money."
"Wow, thanks! I need to spend it to get my inheritance!"
"Dammit, you're not supposed to like it!"
Ranma New Half
- Thread starter Zam
- Start date
- What if? Modern
-
- Tags
- ranma one half
Next step is when she tries to be evil, and fails.
"-and so I'll take all your money."
"Wow, thanks! I need to spend it to get my inheritance!"
"Dammit, you're not supposed to like it!"
Hahahaha, incredible XD
Poor Nabiki just crouched down in a corner cradling her head like, "Oh gods, what's next, an I going to become like Kasumi Nee-Chan, too nice for my own good? This can't be my fate."
I like both the Shampoo arc and the Ukyo arc. Both characters are written extremely well so far. Now I must wait to see if Ryouga sticks to canon hatred of Ranma, or if in time he will see Ranma as the female that she identifies as. Ryouga does have a soft spot for crying females. Even though Ranma-chan sees herself as a martial artist it is early enough in canon where she'll cry foul if he's a cheater cheater pumpkin eater. She has shown honor in the Ukyo situation so sometime some chapter we will see how she handles the Nodoka situation.
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Thanks, so glad they were working! That is heartening to hear, I was a touch worried about how this introduction would go given its such a major divergence. As for Ryoga, well we shall see. Ranma probably would cry foul over someone being underhanded (Relativewly speaking) but that's more in exasperation/frustration than having strong standards of conduct for random fights to the death. Indeed we shall
Idle aside, I gave Xian Pu the rathe formal manner in her own tongue cos I recall reading something about her speaking with an old fashioned manner in some translations and I felt that worked well given her background.
Chapter 5
Ranma New Half
Chapter 5
Ranma didn't have a lot of experience crying.
She assumes she must have at one point in time; otherwise her dad wouldn't have been so convinced he needed to "beat that girlish weakness" out of her.
But except for when she was.... When she was ten... Crying was just something she learned not to do, and however much she rejected the ideas foisted on her by Genma she did kind of get the crying one.
She always felt tired afterwards and if she couldn't see through tears in a fight she'd be killed, it just made sense not to cry.
She could only assume, given.... His own words that Ukyo had some similar teaching. Cos the moment they'd both been able to exert even a bit of control over themselves they'd both stopped sobbing.
Which was how they found themselves where they were. Still in a dilapidated parking garage, sitting against a pillar, not quite next to each other, cos Ranma refused to let Ukyo out of sight but he refused to let her sit next to him.
The silence was worse than the murder attempt.
'Just say something!' A part of her screamed, so Ranma bit the bullet and-
"I'm sorry," Ukyo said, his voice firm but sounding utterly exhausted, like down to the bones weary.
Ranma understood that tone all to well and shrugged, "Its fine."
"I tried to kill you," he added, something sharp and maybe a little hysterical in his tone as he added. "I almost killed a girl for something her dad did!"
The usual thrill at being addressed as such was overshadowed by Ukyo's words and Ranma had no idea what to address first.
So, she went for what was easiest.
"Its fine. I get it, honors important and my pops completely screwed you, I might not... Get everything about being a girl just yet, modesty and all that shit," That earned her a snorted chuckle. "But I understand you gotta avenge what was done."
"Maybe..." he sighed. "But the moment I saw you were a girl, I should have at least thought on it, instead of just assuming that you were in on it and pretended to be a guy."
Ranma chuckled, "Well in a way I was pretending, even if I didn't have the words for it yet, I mean, ah, you know I..."
Ukyo gave her a flat look, "I know," he said heavily, vaguely motioning as his top and through some of the rips Ranma could see evidence of a bandage pressing down against Ukyo's chest.
"Cool, cool... Huh, I half figured you'd have gone to Jusenkyo too," She said, trying to steer the direction somewhere more hopeful.
"The bandanna guy mentioned that too, what is it? These Cursed Springs," Ukyo asked.
"You speak Mandarin?"
Ukyo raised a hand and held finger and thumb close together, "Enough to do tasks or take orders."
"Cool, cool..."Oh yeah she totally knew what she was doing, right? "Well, long story short, magic springs where stuff drowned, you fall in, and you transform into the thing that drowned there. I think I knocked bandanna guy into one accidentally."
"What Spring did you knock him into then? He looked normal to me."
Ranma blinked before putting it together, "Oh no, most people can turn back with hot water, but then get cursed again with cold. Unless they take a second dip."
Ukyo's mouth made a popping noise before he nodded in clear understanding.
Pressing on, Ranma added, "If you'd like, I could give ya directions?"
The brunette shook his head, slowly, "Its not... Its not that simple for me... I mean... It should be... And some days it is but..."
"But..."
Her rested his head against the pillar. "I hated you. I hated you both so much. Our pride as Shinobi in tatters, for we had been fooled by martial artists. My honor as a woman forever stained, marking me as inherently unworthy, as... Broken and wrong-"
"Uchan-"
Ukyo pressed on with a hiss, "I had no choice. For the Kuonji name to regain its respect among our people, to gain some scraps of honor and pride, to show my piety to the parents who bore me and gifted me with a body and life... I forsook my old identity. I trained until my hands bled, served any master for the scraps of training they would give a lowly one like me and threw myself into fight after fight after fight...."
He sucked in a long and low breath, "Some days being the first son fits, some days I am almost shamefully grateful I can be a man, and other days... I just want to tear myself apart and be sick for I can never be a girl again."
That was... A lot, and Ranma got it, better than most, even if she didn't get it all and her first instinct was to suggest Jusenkyo again because that seemed perfect but...."I guess this is another part of the honor thing, or uh, your family?" She ventured.
Ukyo nodded, "In a sense. Maybe when this is done, I'll take you up on that offer, Ranchan, for now though," Ukyo groaned and forced himself to his feet. "For now I can only say my vendetta against you holds no honor, and I owe you one as well, for the attack."
"Its fine, out of all the people who've tried to kill me I can count the number of people who said sorry on one hand!" Ranma joked... Sort of joked, it was true after all.
That made Ukyo bite back a snarl before he shook his head, "That doesn't make it right on my part or anyone else's," picking up his massive battle blade he added, "For now, I need to find Genma, and kill him."
And they were right back to where Ranma hadn't wanted this conversation to go.
Standing up, she clasped the taller fighters shoulder, Ukyo didn't shake her off but his stern stare was clear, as he said, "This is a matter of honor, pride and piety. I can't forgo it just because of a debt to you."
"Or cos we're friends?" Ranma ventured, and was surprised to see Ukyo blush.
"I... Not even then, Ranchan," he ducked his head, "I'm sorry."
"Its... I get it, but can it wait?" She asked, trailing Ukyo as he picked up his throwing weapons. "I messed you up pretty good and pops might be hurt but he's got two master martial artists looking after him right now."
"I won't be giving him a fight like I gave you," He countered, "This will be a Shinobi matter, pure, simple and silent."
"Not to doubt your sneakiness, but pops is pretty good with that stuff and Tofu-Sensei has mastered silent movement. Given he's a doctor, I'm not sure he'll let you just off the old man."
Fully armed, Ukyo turned to face her, "Do you actually believe that, or are you just trying to spare him?"
That was the million yen question and Ranma wasn't even sure of her own answer!
Feet tapping and dragging along the floor, she murmured, "I... I don't like him, and I'm not what he wanted, but he's still the master of my School, though hah, maybe he'll disown me?" She'd considered that before making her decision, but even if it meant being an honor-less vagrant, at least she'd be free.
"All the more reason for me to kill him then, no?" Ukyo plied, like they were discussing the weather and not a man's life.
"He's still my dad," Ranma countered, voice raised in something akin to offence. "Like, yeah he's a bastard, he owes you but like... Can't we work something else out? I mean, heck, you're a guy, I'm a girl, the marriage is... Ah...." Ranma's face was burning and judging by the color flooding Ukyo's cheeks so was his.
"You would... I mean, with me...?" Ukyo stammered.
Ranma was blushing even more now, but shrugged, "I mean... We're friends no matter what. Anything else, I dunno, I haven't even had the time to think about it ya know? But like, would it help?"
Ukyo met her gaze doggedly and finally shook his head, "Maybe if circumstances were different but then maybe it wouldn't. This isn't just about my personal honor, or even reputation, its about avenging my father."
"Ah..." She didn't really have an answer to that one and Ukyo seemed to sense that, offering a polite little bow.
"Would you like me to walk you home before I go?"
Ranma snorted, "I gave just as good as I got, don't go treating me like some damsel now."
"I know," Ukyo chuckled, but he didn't sound abashed, "Its just polite."
Something tick, tick, ticked in Ranma's head and she grinned, snatching up the brunettes hand, "I'm cashing in my honor debt with you now then. Stay the night!"
"I-"
"Come on, please, just the night!?" She tugged on his hand, "Just enough so you can actually be at your best for your... Everything else, I'm staying out of what he did... What he did I can't fix and its his duty to deal with it. But please, just spend the night?"
Ukyo frowned, but she could see him caving, and he finally mumbled, "If you like. I have a hotel room though, it should be more comfortable than your tent." He then balked as if he'd suggested something he really shouldn't have.
Ranma chuckled, "Oh I'm staying somewhere way more comfy than my tent, Uchan," she then looked down, "Ya know, assuming they don't wanna kick me out for all the ruckus today."
Any semblance of resistance crashed at that and Ukyo bowed, "Sorry, and I'll apologize when we get there. Please lead the way."
"Huzzah, let's go!" Ranma cheered, dragging the brunette along after her.
Akane was resisting the urge to shuffle under Dr Tofu's surprisingly stern gaze as he began writing off notes without even looking at the page.
'What did I do wrong, is because I got into a fight!?' She wondered frantically.
"Akane-Chan," He said slowly, "It seems you tried to heal the would you got by channeling Chi towards it, yes?"
'That was it?' Something like pride thrashed at the implication she'd done something wrong but this was DR Tofu so she responded politely. "Yes doctor, I heard you and Ranma discussing it and given how quickly she's recovered..."
The good doctor was holding up his hand now, and still looked pensive.
"Akane-Chan, Ranma...." He closed his eyes and seemed to mull on his words for a moment, while Akane's worry warred with wounded pride. Finally, he spoke, "Akane-Chan, if you were thirsty, would you drink a cup of water, or a gallon?"
Blinking in surprise, the answer came unbidden, "Well a cup why- Oh..."
"Exactly," he nodded, "You saturated that wound with so much Chi you were eventually washing it over the surface to no effect. Then you forced yourself into an adrenaline state, further exhausting yourself. Its fortunate you are so new to this or you might have done some real harm."
"But, I mean, why?" She scrambled for an explanation, "Ranma-Chan recovered so quickly and this wasn't nearly as serious!"
"Ranma-Chan has a lot of experience recovering from very deadly wounds, this is a new topic for you and experience counts for a lot." There was an unpleasant gravity to his words, they lingered on Ranma's injuries and Akane could guess what that meant.
Dr Tofu passed her the paper he'd been writing on, "I don't want you exerting yourself for at least a week. I've done what I can to re-order your network and your system should flush out the chemical imbalances but you need to be careful, Akane-Chan."
Head ducking in equal parts shame and acknowledgement, Akane murmured, "Yes, Dr Tofu."
"Which," he added more cheerily, "Should give you plenty of time to enjoy the readings I am recommending you on Chi control and the human body."
Her head shot up, "Pardon!?"
Dr Tofu was beaming, "I wouldn't want to discourage your curiosity on this topic; I just want you to explore it safely and with some guidance. Once you are done with these readings, please come by the clinic and we can explore this subject in more detail."
"You're serious?!" She was beaming now, leaning forward and nearly over the kotatsu.
"Of course! I might ask for a little help around the office too, but that's just so I can spare more time."
Akane was already bowing, "Thank you Doctor, I won't disappoint you!"
"I know you won't, Akane-Chan."
The wonderful moment was ruined by Nabiki shouting, "Ranma-Chan's home and she brought a friend!"
'A friend?' Akane wondered, as she and Dr Tofu turned to the sound of padding feet and Akane almost choked at the sight.
"Why is that boy here!? He tried to kill you!" Only Dr Tofu's hand on her shoulder kept Akane from lunging at the lad.
The pair stilled and their eyes slowly drifted towards one another and then back to her. A quiet exchange of "You wanna... Should I...." passing so quietly she almost didn't hear it.
Akane could see Nabiki was only partially into the room, a faux casual air as she watched the exchange, but Kasumi strode in without a care and a cheery smile.
"Oh welcome back Ranma-Chan, who's your little friend?"
"He's not her friend," Akane bristled, "He tried to kill her, he's-"
There was a thump and Akane turned to see the boy was kneeling, forehead pressed tot he floor, "I attacked Ranchan, and now I am intruding on your home, for these things... I am terribly sorry."
Ranma looked frantic and hastily added, "Uchan and his family got screwed over by my dad, badly, and he thought I was in on it. It was just a mistake."
"A mistake I chose to let happen, this was still my fault. I am sorry and will leave if you want."
Akane only vaguely registered the distressed look on Ranma's face at that and had been about to demand the boy do so. She did not want a boy in this house, especially when she was so vulnerable, not when Ranma's father had already hurt them, she-
"That won't be necessary," Kasumi cut in.
"Yeah," Nabiki drawled, now wholly into the room, "Seems things were worked out and any enemy of Genma Saotome's is a friend of mine."
The boy picked his head up a little and said, "He has that effect on people."
Akane wanted to rally and argue, but Dr Tofu spoke up, "and I certainly don't want either of you leaving before I do a check up."
"Ah Tofu-Sensei, its not that bad-" Ranma blinked and looked to Akane, "Akane-Chan, what happened?"
At that her anger vanished and she was left kneading the kotatsu blanket, "Ah well... I kind of..."
"Got into a fight with that purple haired chick," Nabaiki said lazily, "Apparently she packs a punch-"
Now it was Ranma with her head pressed to the floor, "I'm so sorry!" She shouted. "I never thought Xian Pu would follow me to Japan, or that she'd attack someone I knew, I can get my stuff-"
Kasumi clapped her hands, loudly, "Enough of that, everyone take their heads off the floor please, I only waxed them last week."
"But..."
"It was my fault," Akane muttered, "I went after you and picked a fight with her, I got a good hit in, but it wasn't enough."
Ranma sat up and sighed, "Well at least you didn't beat her, then she'd be trying to kill you two."
...
"What?" Several people, including Akane herself intoned.
"Ah," Ranma rubbed the back of her head as Dr Tofu began his check up, "Ya see, she's from this village..."
Upon a distant rooftop, and cloaked away from prying eyes, Xian Pu held a spy glass up to the face of a pig, her words sharp and firm.
"You see, they align. We must as well!"
The pig looked to her slowly, obviously perturbed, so she added some weight to her glare, "Or I can throw you back to the dogs?" She made sure to annunciated every word slowly and in his language.
At that, the pig nodded, and the deal was struck.
Akane stared in bemusement as the story wrapped up, and Dr Tofu finished his treating of Ranma. That Ukyo guy had enough decency to at least turn around and close his eyes when Ranma went topless, not that it stopped Akane chiding her lack of modesty again.
"Wow, Ranma-Chan, you sure do live an interesting life," Hummed Nabiki, using her fork to chop up a slice of cake Kasumi had given her. "Cursing people, kissing girls, why next you'll reveal you have another fiancée!"
Akane failed to notice Ukyo and Ranma jolt at that last one, but the redhead quickly rallied. "She kissed me and it was for murder purposes, totally not my fault and on the cheek!"
Nabiki just chuckled as she spooned the cake into her mouth, "So you say~"
"Well," Kasumi cut in, joining them at the table as rain began to pour outside. "Hopefully you can sort things out with this other boy at least. As to this Xian Pu girl..."
"I'll figure something out," Ranma ducked her head, "I promise."
"And what about this guy?" Akane asked, not hiding her distrust.
Dr Tofu clapped Ukyo on the shoulder and said, "How about we take this to another room, Kuonji-Kun?"
"Mhm," He nodded, "It wouldn't be right to go topless around all these girls."
"Awe, no second show," Nabiki groaned, even as the two brunettes slipped out of the room, Ukyo's face burning with embarrassment.
"Really, Nabiki-Chan," Kasumi chided, but she had one of this small smiles that said she found it funny too.
Akane however wasn't laughing and was instead looking at the recently bandaged Ranma shift uncomfortable, one finger scratching her cheek.
"Well?" She pressed.
Sighing, Ranma began, "Its not exactly my story to tell, but... Ukyo's dad and mine had an arrangement. My pops went back on it and robbed Kuonji-Sama. Cos of Ukyo's ties to it, he was dishonored and their family lost face, not just in town but among the other Shinobi. Reputation, their pride in their skills is everything to them."
Ranma looked abjectly miserable as she continued, "I don't think his old man's around anymore, and not since he was a kid. He thought I was in on it and everything it cost him." She then perked up, "But once he realized I wasn't we became friends again!"
"That simple, huh?" Akane asked drolly, "And the fact that boy tried to kill you doesn't bother you?"
Ranma shrugged, "Wouldn't be the first time someone tried to kill me, or the second or the..." She began counting off on her fingers before stopping. "Look let's just say my pops had a bad habit of leaving terrible impressions and I sometimes got caught up in the blast zone."
Kasumi tilted her head, humming in thought, "I suppose if he wants to resolve the matter then, your little friend will be approaching your father, next?"
Ranma nodded, "I uh. Brought him here to try and stall him on killing my old man."
Nabiki tapped her plate with the fork, "Question, do we actually care if he kills your father?"
"Nabiki Nee-Chan," Akane groused, "Murder's still murder," at that, Nabiki just shrugged, eyeing Ranma who shuffled beneath the kotatsu.
"Its an honor thing, Akane-Chan, there's laws about that, blood feuds and the like. So long as he doesn't drag anyone who didn't have anything to do with it in, Uchan could be fine... And look, I know my pops isn't winning any parenting awards, but he's still my old man. He still taught me to fight and I mean, I ain't all Confucian like Uchan and his family, but I know what 'familial piety' means."
At that moment Ukyo returned with a fresh set of clothes he must have had hidden on his person, though it looked much the same as before, grey pants and a white shirt. Ranma must have done some damage to his chest because Akane was sure she could see it had grown a little, with what must have been a layer of bandages.
Kasumi nodded resolutely, "Well, whatever else happens, Kuonji-Kun, please feel free to enjoy our Dojo's hospitality."
"Oh that's not-" he was stammering something out but Akane folded her arms and grunted, "I still don't like it, he's violent."
"Oh Akane-Chan," Nabiki drawled, "Don't e so catty."
A spasm ran across Ranma's entire body, her head shooting around, eyes wide for but a moment.
"... Are you OK, Ranma-Chan?" Akane asked.
"Huh? oh, uh, yeah, its nothing!" She said, so cheerily it sounded strained.
Ukyo dropped down behind her and let out some low vocalization, that turned from a purr into a meow, right into the redheads ear.
Ranma's reaction was a panicked screech and frantic scrambling for safety in Nabiki's lap of all places. The older girl looking stunned as she instinctively held the other girl close to her.
Akane bristly and shot up, "What did you do to her!?"
But Ukyo ignored her, dropping down to a knee, quaking, a murderous crimson Chi rippling around his frame. "He did that didn't he, Ranchan? He put you through the Neko-Ken didn't he?"
Ranma twitched at the name and Dr Tofu looked ice was running through his veins, a low, "Oh," escaping his lips. He must have noticed their confusion and in a sharp, near whisper said, "Its a technique, forbidden by Samurai, Martial Artist and Shinobi alike for the extreme psychological distress it causes."
Ukyo snorted, "You can't even call it s technique! Its a method to make a human weapon. People used to capture enemies and use it on them, drive them mad and loose them back on their own forts." Teeth gnashing, the boy spun around and lurched for his massive weapon," I'll kill him!"
Dr Tofu was faster though and with only a pat to his lower back, making him drop like a sack of bricks.
"Why!?" Ukyo snarled.
Adjusting his glasses and helping slide Ukyo under the kotatsu, as he said, "I can't condone violence in my practice. Especially not when I have people other than Ranma-Chan's father staying over night; if you want to go after him, you will need to wait."
Ukyo hissed but flopped against the table, unable to otherwise move.
Ranma slid off Nabiki's lap, blushing, "Uh, sorry about that, Nabiki Nee-Chan."
Nabiki winked, "I only wish more pretty girls threw themselves into my lap."
Ranma's giggle was nearly hysterical as her face flushed and she quickly shifted back to Ukyo's side.
Nodding at the group, Dr Tofu smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes, "I had best be off then, rest up you two and you'll be better by morning. Akane-Chan, read those books and no strenuous activity for twenty four hours."
A chorus of "Yes Doctors" rang out, as Kasumi rose and escorted the good doctor to the door, leaving them all to linger in an all consuming silence.
Finally, Nabiki broke the silence, "So, is that spatula set just for show or can you cook too?"
Ukyo perked up a little, "Only Okonomiyaki, but yes."
"Eh, I remember you being able to cook way more, Uchan?"
The boy blushed and looked askance, "That was before..." he used his weak arm to motion vaguely, "It'd be considered odd for me to cook like that now, unless it was for a mission."
Ranma flopped back on her hands, "Man I almost forgot it was considered weird for guys to cook."
"I can still help with dinner... You know, if my legs wake up in time," Ukyo muttered.
Akane stared at the pair, gears turning in her head but not yet clicking into place.
From their roof top perch, Ryoga held his umbrella over himself and the Amazon to keep the drizzle off of them and watched the scary girls reactions carefully.
Xian Pu frowned, "Still weak, we strike now-"
Some instinct in her and the recently turned boy jolted and they leapt across the roof into defensive stances.
Standing across from them, carrying his own traditional umbrella, much like Ryoga's own, was a young man. He was not tall but neither was he short, broad but not too broad, with gentle but not too soft features and long brown hair tied back into a loose ponytail, with thin, round glasses.
"Ni-hao," he said cheerily, "Wǒ yuànyì wèi nǐ tígōng jīn wǎn de kuǎndài." He then turned to Ryoga and said, "I'm offering you both my hospitality for the evening, would you like to accept?"
His eyes drifted slowly to Xian Pu's and was Rypoga surprised to see the girl absolutely beaming, "Huānyíng nín de kuǎndài, wǒ dāngrán shì gōngjìng de kèrén."
The man smiled broadly, "Wonderful, as my guests you will obviously both be treated fairly and without suspicion, a courtesy your young friend has assured me you both shall return."
Hearing the thunder boom above them, Ryoga sighed, he could wait another night for his vengeance, "Of course, sir, thank you for your hospitality."
"Its only natural and please, Call me Dr Tofu."
NOTES:
I originally intended this to be the chapter Akane figured things out but too much else was happening.
If Ukyo is being a little formal here, its mostly performative cos he feels bad; idle aside, I tend to take a lot of my Ukyo characterization from the old fic One Hundred Percent Woman. It did a great job exploring Ukyo's trauma and coming mechanism and unique relationship to womanhood and masculinity, so sad it capped out at two chapters ><
Translations:
Hello, I would like to offer you my hospitality for the night
Your offer of hospitality is most welcome, I shall of course be a respectful guest.
I originally had a different spin on the scene with Ukyo waiting until Ranma was asleep before going after Genma & being stopped by Kasumi. Ukyo would also say "I am going to torture and murder Genma Saotome" but be convinced to stay cos of the threat of Ryoga & Xian Pu who would be meeting Dr Tofu at the same time. It didn't pan out that way though but maybe later. I also still kinda want Ukyo to bust into a room screaming at Genma "I will carve out your eyes and skull fuck you!" But that's probably too Team Four Star XD
- Location
- Elsewhere
"Okay, I can understand why that would let you know 'three' and maybe 'springs' but what about 'cursed'?"
"Lots of swearing from unruly customers."
Always important to make that distinction.
Ahahahahaha, yes exactly XD
Ukyo: My vernacular is a colorful reputar of vulgarity.
Agreed, we wouldn't want anyone to think Ranma was kissing girls who then tried to murder her for unrelated reasons, that would send all kinds of wrong messages!
Everyone has an interesting dynamic. Nobody seems out of character.
- Location
- france
Oh, gods...
Ukyo taking V as an example... Still, in that case, her revenge against Genma should be spectacular.
RoboRenee
Trans of gender
- Location
- FFXIV, probably
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I'm fairly sure in this story it would be his revenge. That's certainly how he's presented himself and how the narration and the other characters alike have treated him.
Thanks, that is so encouraging to hear
Ukyo inviting Ranma out for "fire works" and its just a bigger and bigger series of cascading explosions that destroy Genma's life and also Genma XD
Sorry what do you mean?
RoboRenee
Trans of gender
- Location
- FFXIV, probably
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Isn't Ukyo a guy in this one, he-hims and all that? Then wouldn't Ukyo's revenge, as discussed by the poster I was quoting, be more accurately his revenge instead of 'her revenge'? Or am I misunderstanding something.
Oh I see, sorry I was kind of lost in the whole V for Venedtta comparison and so my brain went off in a totally different direction, but yeah Ukyo's a dude. Technically he's Gender Fluid, but he's not willing/able to identify as a woman when feeling like one for cultural reasons right now.
Chapter 6
Warning: Akane is going to say some stupid stuff in this segment, but she does get over her preconceptions pretty quickly, but I felt fair warning was warranted.
Chapter 6
The early morning sun fell upon the Tendo Dojo as it often did, showing no consideration for the recent trials and tribulations that beset its family.
Or so Nabiki would have said were she both a Kuno and not currently power-bombing her second coffee of that morning in a bid to stay awake. Watching her breath billow out like steam, Nabiki glanced at the gate and listened to the faint sound of sweeping as their target slinked out the front door.
Ukyo clearly hadn't been expecting them, but fortunately that hadn't been enough to send him leaping over walls as he crept quietly from the Dojo where Ranma likely still slept.
Expression stern he looked to Nabiki, and then to the gate on the other side of which Kasumi was hiding and said.
"Tendo-Sans, can I help you?"
Swirling her cup lazily, Nabiki chuckled as Kasumi slipped back in from the other side of the gate and placed down her broom.
"Can't hide anything from you fighter types," Nabiki stretched, smirking as Kuonji glanced away from the sight of her bare belly and added. "If it were up to me, I'd just give you directions to Genma and maybe my number, unfortunately for us, my sister has a point.
Ukyo's expression soured subtly as he turned his full attention to Kasumi, "Miss Tendo."
Kasumi offered one of her polite little bows, "I understand warriors have their pride and their honor and its not my place to question your goals. However," She said more sternly, like when she was trying to make Nabiki 'think on what she'd done.' "I do wonder if you've thought your timing through."
"My timing?" Ukyo asked, brows arched, "Isn't that bastard injured? Seems like a good time to me."
"Perhaps," Kasumi conceded, "But Ranma-Chan is still being pursued by two other fighters who want her dead. Worse still, Dr Tofu called me last night and said he saw this, Xian Pu and a boy named Ryoga together."
Nabiki leaned against the wooden pillar, "And unfortunately some brutish boy roughed Ranma-Chan up real good yesterday, she might not be at her best."
Ukyo's mouth shot open and then snapped shut just as quick, a snarl was bit back as he clearly debated leaping over the fence before... His shoulders slacked, "I'll hover around for the morning and school, I owe her that much."
Kasumi strode up and rested her hands on Ukyo's shoulders, "Thank you, Kuonji-Kun, you're a good friend."
"Uh... Um... Thank you... Ma'am, I mean miss, I mean Kasumi Nee-Chan?"
Kasumi giggled, "Please feel free to use the Furo its ready and waiting."
"Ah, right... Thank you," Ukyo shot back into the Dojo.
"My he's quite skittish isn't he?" Kasumi joked.
"Its the energy you put out sis, boys can't stand against it," Nabiki said as they began shuffling back inside.
"Oh I only wish that were true," Kasumi sighed, before her gaze drifted to Nabiki, "But enough of that, you were suggesting something about a new bank account?"
Nabiki smirked, "We need an adult to handle that side of things and you're the only one I trust."
Akane was sleepy, and even ignoring her injuries, her hectic week so far, as well the fact she was up early, there were the compounding factors that she'd stayed up late reading Dr Tofu's recommended books and scrolls, all while trying to listen out for that Kuonji creep.
She just didn't trust him not to be skulking around or trying to get into some perversity or violence with Ranma. As strong as her friend was, the redhead was too naïve to not be taken advantage of.
This confluence of factors and having heard Nabiki lurching around in one of her early morning dazes meant that Akane paid little heed to the signals the Furo was occupied. All to easy to assume it was Nabiki or Ranma, that when she walked in and saw long brown hair on a well muscled frame, Akane was caught flat footed.
The scream bubbling in her throat became a garbed shout, "What the hell, you're a GIRL!?"
Anything else she might have said was muffled by a smoke bomb flooding the room.
'No, NO!' Ranma skidded on the polished floors and arrived just in time to see Ukyo forcing his way passed Akane. His clothes were hastily bundled over bare skin and he was pressing bandages against his chest.
Akane was trailing after, frantically crying, "If you'd just told me you were a girl-"
"I'm not-"
"Then maybe I wouldn't have thought you were some sexist thug!"
"Leave me alone," Ukyo snapped, all hard edges and rough baritones.
"Stop talking like that," Akane groused, "Why are you pretending to be a boy-"
Ukyo's Chi flared violently, burning reds tinged the air and his unbound hair looked more like a lions mane as he snarled, "I am not pretending!"
Ranma threw herself between the pair, careful not to lay a hand on Ukyo's chest, "Ukyo-Kun! Akane-Chan" She cried, and Ukyo's blood red aura dropped, while Akane looked equal parts terrified and confused.
Grasping both by the shoulder, she pressed on, looking to Ukyo, "How about you finish getting dressed, I'll, uh, explain?"
Ukyo sent Akane a withering look and blurred out of sight and into the guest room, the door slamming shut behind him.
"Ranma-Chan," Akane said slowly, "Why didn't you tell us your friend is a girl."
Ranma sighed, something heavy twisting in her chest.
"I think we should discuss this over tea," Kasumi chimed in from the steps.
Soon enough Akane found herself at the table with her sisters and Ranma; tea mercifully un-drunk because she was convinced something must be in the water.
"Akane-Chan, nothing has really changed from yesterday," Kasumi continued, "Kuonji-Kun is the same boy he was before."
"Except 'he'," Akane exaggerated the word as much as possible, "Isn't a boy at all."
Ranma's head drooped, "He is what he says he is, that's his... His soul, Akane-Chan."
"No its not," Akane said growing tense, "Her soul is that of a girls cos she is a girl, I've been reading about Chi-"
"For not even a night," Nabiki cut in.
"And," Akane pressed, "It says there's feminine Chi, and masculine Chi!" There had been some other stuff about neutral Chi's and Yin & Yang but her point stood.
"Pretty sure Uchan's Chi is masculine as it comes, sure feels it to me," Ranma said quickly.
Akane waved her off, "I know what I saw. Ukyo-Chan can dress up all she wants but it won't change the fact she has breasts and no-" She cut herself off for good manners sake.
Ranma's head was hanging low, her shoulders shrunk in on herself and Kasumi was patting her back, while Nabiki massaged her own forehead.
Sighing, Akane said, "I don't get why you're so upset, Ranma-Chan, did you have a crush on Ukyo as a boy or something?"
"He. Is. A Boy." Ranma said, something like a sharp twang slipping from her lips, as her eyes shot up. "What if... What if someone dumped you in the Spring of Drowned Boy, Akane-Chan, would you be a guy?"
"Of course not!" She cried, "But that's cos I was born a girl, so I will always be a girl!"
Ranma reared back like she'd been slapped, and suddenly turned, "I'm going to check on breakfast," and left the room, Kasumi trailing after her, but the look she sent Akane made her stomach drop.
'What did I do!?'
Nabiki lobbed a cushion at her head and Akane bristled, but Nabiki spoke over her, all sharp and professional, cold even.
"All right hot shot, pop quiz. What if you were dumped in the Spring as a baby?"
"What-"
Nabiki's palms slapped the table, "What if it happened now, then you lost you memory and spent the next sixteen years as a boy in the eyes of everyone?"
"That's-"
She pushed herself up, "What if you woke up one day and realized you felt wrong and trapped in skin that didn't fit but you were the only one who felt like that?"
"Nabiki-"
Her older sister loomed, "What if you could see who or what you wanted to be and no one let you?"
"But-"
Nabiki's hands clapped down on her shoulders, "For the love of- Stop arguing and actually think for a second, Akane!"
"But that's not how it is!" She argued.
"And who are you to make that decision for someone else?" Nabiki asked sharply, that word striking a chord in her mind as Kuno's booming voice rang out in the back of her mind.
"Its not me, its-"
Nabiki placed a hand over her mouth, "Stop and think. I'm going to have a bath."
And like that Akane was left alone, her gaze slowly drifting towards the kitchen as the pieces slowly but surely fell into place and her fists began to shake.
Akane was fuming, Akane was furious, Akane's mind was frantically going over every memory from the last few days with a fine toothed comb!
Sharp, heavy foot falls went in random patterns through the dojo as she did, fists swinging with unspent, angry energy.
'Lies, all of it, a whole relationship built on a bed of lies, how could she!?'
She should have known, should have been able to tell, to figure it out but somehow she hadn't until it was staring her in the face.
'And how could my sisters go along with her lies, this is all crazy!'
The world was how it was, people couldn't change what they were, couldn't change what they were born to be, it was just reality.
'People said the same thing about women and work,' A voice whispered in her head, all to like her sisters.
Akane spun again, teeth gnashing, it wasn't the same, it wasn't and they should know that.
'My sisters are smart, they figured it out before me, or maybe she told them-'
Akane ground to a halt and muttered, "She?"
Akane stomped her foot and sucked in a breath, mind flickering across the deceptions again to remind herself of the reality.
'She's-'
There it was again!
This time the wood cracked and Akane's muscles ached as she thought about Ranma who-
Ranma who looked at her reflection in gold bangles like it was something precious.
Ranma who's smile bloomed like the morning sun when people called her a girl.
Ranma who cried for joy when she got to wear a dress and make up.
Ranma who... Who...
Who she couldn't think of as not a girl no matter how she tried.
Akane turned to face the wall and pictured Uko Kuonji.
The instinctive dislike and worry flooded her gut; the same feeling she got when boys got too close, or seemed like they wanted to flirt or fight. The same feeling she got in alarm bell form when Ukyo was angry at her that morning even though she tried to hide it because Ukyo was a...
Akane let her head fall into her hands as the image of Ranma practically fleeing her presence flooded her mind.
'I really messed this up.'
Akane shot towards the door, 'I have to fix this!'
The door rattled and banged as she flung herself into the hallway, heart thumping in her chest as she blurred passed the dining room and up the stairs.
She found Ranma talking quietly with Ukyo in the hall, barely catching a snippet about 'with me' and then both were staring at her, worried and wary alike.
Part of Akane really wished she'd taken a minute to think about what to say but instead the words just started to spill out.
"I'm sorry.... I... I didn't know what I was saying." She shook her head, "No I did, but I didn't understand what it meant and I... Ranma-Chan, I know my sisters are probably better for this but if... If you have any questions or want to do something, I'm here for you. Us girls have to stick together."
Ranma's eyes glistened and she wiped her face, "Ah, yeah, thanks, Akane-Chan."
Akane rounded on Ukyo and her weak smile turned to a frown, "And you," She pointed roughly at his chest. "I don't like boys, I don't trust boys and that means I don't like or trust you. Ya got that?" She motioned between them with two fingers, "I got my eye on you."
Ukyo nodded slowly, brow raised incredulously.
Rolling back on the balls of her feet Akane nodded, "Good, we have an understanding, Ranma-Chan, want to join me in the furo?"
"Um... Sure, just a second?" The redhead said slowly.
"Sure, I'll be waiting!" Akane called, striding passed the pair.
Ranma's eyes followed Akane and she felt an immense weight off her shoulders and a clawing sickness escaping her chest.
It wasn't all gone of course, not that quickly, but it would be soon, she was sure of it.
"Huh, well that's the second most threatening affirmation I've ever received," Ukyo hummed.
Ranma hummed in agreement before blinking, "Second?!"
Ukyo waved her off, "I'll tell you later."
"But I wanna know noooow!" Ranma jokingly whined, even as she strode backwards towards the furo.
"Later, I'll be outside chopping wood," Ukyo said.
Ranma didn't ask if he was going to help with breakfast, Ukyo would probably be turned off cooking for a while if her own experiences were anything to go by, but still...
Ranma placed her hand on the door to the furo, 'Still, this worked out.'
Now she just had to make it through school with two people after her head and be ready for whatever her old man was inevitably working on.
Easy, right?
NOTES:
One thing I have quite enjoyed in writing this fic has been the Tendo Sister Solidarity, obviously it was a bit strained this chapter, but still; Nabiki showing her faith in Kasumi as a reliable adult, Kasumi hearing out Nabiki's ideas ETC, its fun I feel. This chapter was short but the subject felt necessary to cover in isolation over making it a smaller part of a bigger chapter.
Of all the Tendo sisters I actually feel Akane would have the most trouble accepting someone being trans; Kasumi can be rather traditional but she's fairly passive about most things to the pint of ambivalence in general and Nabiki seems totally checked out on societal ideas in general. Akane however has some more overt trauma tied to her gender identity and the expectations placed on her, as well as everything with Kuno which seemed to give her a lot of not unjustified anger that came to manifest itself in a rather... Gender essentialist idea of what 'boys' were like. Combine that with her temperament and it feels like she'd be the one easiest to radicalize as such, though by the same token, the one who if she had her perspective flipped would likely be the most positive about the subject given those same traits, while Nabiki & Kasumi remained rather neutral.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Ranma New Half
Chapter 6
The early morning sun fell upon the Tendo Dojo as it often did, showing no consideration for the recent trials and tribulations that beset its family.
Or so Nabiki would have said were she both a Kuno and not currently power-bombing her second coffee of that morning in a bid to stay awake. Watching her breath billow out like steam, Nabiki glanced at the gate and listened to the faint sound of sweeping as their target slinked out the front door.
Ukyo clearly hadn't been expecting them, but fortunately that hadn't been enough to send him leaping over walls as he crept quietly from the Dojo where Ranma likely still slept.
Expression stern he looked to Nabiki, and then to the gate on the other side of which Kasumi was hiding and said.
"Tendo-Sans, can I help you?"
Swirling her cup lazily, Nabiki chuckled as Kasumi slipped back in from the other side of the gate and placed down her broom.
"Can't hide anything from you fighter types," Nabiki stretched, smirking as Kuonji glanced away from the sight of her bare belly and added. "If it were up to me, I'd just give you directions to Genma and maybe my number, unfortunately for us, my sister has a point.
Ukyo's expression soured subtly as he turned his full attention to Kasumi, "Miss Tendo."
Kasumi offered one of her polite little bows, "I understand warriors have their pride and their honor and its not my place to question your goals. However," She said more sternly, like when she was trying to make Nabiki 'think on what she'd done.' "I do wonder if you've thought your timing through."
"My timing?" Ukyo asked, brows arched, "Isn't that bastard injured? Seems like a good time to me."
"Perhaps," Kasumi conceded, "But Ranma-Chan is still being pursued by two other fighters who want her dead. Worse still, Dr Tofu called me last night and said he saw this, Xian Pu and a boy named Ryoga together."
Nabiki leaned against the wooden pillar, "And unfortunately some brutish boy roughed Ranma-Chan up real good yesterday, she might not be at her best."
Ukyo's mouth shot open and then snapped shut just as quick, a snarl was bit back as he clearly debated leaping over the fence before... His shoulders slacked, "I'll hover around for the morning and school, I owe her that much."
Kasumi strode up and rested her hands on Ukyo's shoulders, "Thank you, Kuonji-Kun, you're a good friend."
"Uh... Um... Thank you... Ma'am, I mean miss, I mean Kasumi Nee-Chan?"
Kasumi giggled, "Please feel free to use the Furo its ready and waiting."
"Ah, right... Thank you," Ukyo shot back into the Dojo.
"My he's quite skittish isn't he?" Kasumi joked.
"Its the energy you put out sis, boys can't stand against it," Nabiki said as they began shuffling back inside.
"Oh I only wish that were true," Kasumi sighed, before her gaze drifted to Nabiki, "But enough of that, you were suggesting something about a new bank account?"
Nabiki smirked, "We need an adult to handle that side of things and you're the only one I trust."
Akane was sleepy, and even ignoring her injuries, her hectic week so far, as well the fact she was up early, there were the compounding factors that she'd stayed up late reading Dr Tofu's recommended books and scrolls, all while trying to listen out for that Kuonji creep.
She just didn't trust him not to be skulking around or trying to get into some perversity or violence with Ranma. As strong as her friend was, the redhead was too naïve to not be taken advantage of.
This confluence of factors and having heard Nabiki lurching around in one of her early morning dazes meant that Akane paid little heed to the signals the Furo was occupied. All to easy to assume it was Nabiki or Ranma, that when she walked in and saw long brown hair on a well muscled frame, Akane was caught flat footed.
The scream bubbling in her throat became a garbed shout, "What the hell, you're a GIRL!?"
Anything else she might have said was muffled by a smoke bomb flooding the room.
'No, NO!' Ranma skidded on the polished floors and arrived just in time to see Ukyo forcing his way passed Akane. His clothes were hastily bundled over bare skin and he was pressing bandages against his chest.
Akane was trailing after, frantically crying, "If you'd just told me you were a girl-"
"I'm not-"
"Then maybe I wouldn't have thought you were some sexist thug!"
"Leave me alone," Ukyo snapped, all hard edges and rough baritones.
"Stop talking like that," Akane groused, "Why are you pretending to be a boy-"
Ukyo's Chi flared violently, burning reds tinged the air and his unbound hair looked more like a lions mane as he snarled, "I am not pretending!"
Ranma threw herself between the pair, careful not to lay a hand on Ukyo's chest, "Ukyo-Kun! Akane-Chan" She cried, and Ukyo's blood red aura dropped, while Akane looked equal parts terrified and confused.
Grasping both by the shoulder, she pressed on, looking to Ukyo, "How about you finish getting dressed, I'll, uh, explain?"
Ukyo sent Akane a withering look and blurred out of sight and into the guest room, the door slamming shut behind him.
"Ranma-Chan," Akane said slowly, "Why didn't you tell us your friend is a girl."
Ranma sighed, something heavy twisting in her chest.
"I think we should discuss this over tea," Kasumi chimed in from the steps.
Soon enough Akane found herself at the table with her sisters and Ranma; tea mercifully un-drunk because she was convinced something must be in the water.
"Akane-Chan, nothing has really changed from yesterday," Kasumi continued, "Kuonji-Kun is the same boy he was before."
"Except 'he'," Akane exaggerated the word as much as possible, "Isn't a boy at all."
Ranma's head drooped, "He is what he says he is, that's his... His soul, Akane-Chan."
"No its not," Akane said growing tense, "Her soul is that of a girls cos she is a girl, I've been reading about Chi-"
"For not even a night," Nabiki cut in.
"And," Akane pressed, "It says there's feminine Chi, and masculine Chi!" There had been some other stuff about neutral Chi's and Yin & Yang but her point stood.
"Pretty sure Uchan's Chi is masculine as it comes, sure feels it to me," Ranma said quickly.
Akane waved her off, "I know what I saw. Ukyo-Chan can dress up all she wants but it won't change the fact she has breasts and no-" She cut herself off for good manners sake.
Ranma's head was hanging low, her shoulders shrunk in on herself and Kasumi was patting her back, while Nabiki massaged her own forehead.
Sighing, Akane said, "I don't get why you're so upset, Ranma-Chan, did you have a crush on Ukyo as a boy or something?"
"He. Is. A Boy." Ranma said, something like a sharp twang slipping from her lips, as her eyes shot up. "What if... What if someone dumped you in the Spring of Drowned Boy, Akane-Chan, would you be a guy?"
"Of course not!" She cried, "But that's cos I was born a girl, so I will always be a girl!"
Ranma reared back like she'd been slapped, and suddenly turned, "I'm going to check on breakfast," and left the room, Kasumi trailing after her, but the look she sent Akane made her stomach drop.
'What did I do!?'
Nabiki lobbed a cushion at her head and Akane bristled, but Nabiki spoke over her, all sharp and professional, cold even.
"All right hot shot, pop quiz. What if you were dumped in the Spring as a baby?"
"What-"
Nabiki's palms slapped the table, "What if it happened now, then you lost you memory and spent the next sixteen years as a boy in the eyes of everyone?"
"That's-"
She pushed herself up, "What if you woke up one day and realized you felt wrong and trapped in skin that didn't fit but you were the only one who felt like that?"
"Nabiki-"
Her older sister loomed, "What if you could see who or what you wanted to be and no one let you?"
"But-"
Nabiki's hands clapped down on her shoulders, "For the love of- Stop arguing and actually think for a second, Akane!"
"But that's not how it is!" She argued.
"And who are you to make that decision for someone else?" Nabiki asked sharply, that word striking a chord in her mind as Kuno's booming voice rang out in the back of her mind.
"Its not me, its-"
Nabiki placed a hand over her mouth, "Stop and think. I'm going to have a bath."
And like that Akane was left alone, her gaze slowly drifting towards the kitchen as the pieces slowly but surely fell into place and her fists began to shake.
Akane was fuming, Akane was furious, Akane's mind was frantically going over every memory from the last few days with a fine toothed comb!
Sharp, heavy foot falls went in random patterns through the dojo as she did, fists swinging with unspent, angry energy.
'Lies, all of it, a whole relationship built on a bed of lies, how could she!?'
She should have known, should have been able to tell, to figure it out but somehow she hadn't until it was staring her in the face.
'And how could my sisters go along with her lies, this is all crazy!'
The world was how it was, people couldn't change what they were, couldn't change what they were born to be, it was just reality.
'People said the same thing about women and work,' A voice whispered in her head, all to like her sisters.
Akane spun again, teeth gnashing, it wasn't the same, it wasn't and they should know that.
'My sisters are smart, they figured it out before me, or maybe she told them-'
Akane ground to a halt and muttered, "She?"
Akane stomped her foot and sucked in a breath, mind flickering across the deceptions again to remind herself of the reality.
'She's-'
There it was again!
This time the wood cracked and Akane's muscles ached as she thought about Ranma who-
Ranma who looked at her reflection in gold bangles like it was something precious.
Ranma who's smile bloomed like the morning sun when people called her a girl.
Ranma who cried for joy when she got to wear a dress and make up.
Ranma who... Who...
Who she couldn't think of as not a girl no matter how she tried.
Akane turned to face the wall and pictured Uko Kuonji.
The instinctive dislike and worry flooded her gut; the same feeling she got when boys got too close, or seemed like they wanted to flirt or fight. The same feeling she got in alarm bell form when Ukyo was angry at her that morning even though she tried to hide it because Ukyo was a...
Akane let her head fall into her hands as the image of Ranma practically fleeing her presence flooded her mind.
'I really messed this up.'
Akane shot towards the door, 'I have to fix this!'
The door rattled and banged as she flung herself into the hallway, heart thumping in her chest as she blurred passed the dining room and up the stairs.
She found Ranma talking quietly with Ukyo in the hall, barely catching a snippet about 'with me' and then both were staring at her, worried and wary alike.
Part of Akane really wished she'd taken a minute to think about what to say but instead the words just started to spill out.
"I'm sorry.... I... I didn't know what I was saying." She shook her head, "No I did, but I didn't understand what it meant and I... Ranma-Chan, I know my sisters are probably better for this but if... If you have any questions or want to do something, I'm here for you. Us girls have to stick together."
Ranma's eyes glistened and she wiped her face, "Ah, yeah, thanks, Akane-Chan."
Akane rounded on Ukyo and her weak smile turned to a frown, "And you," She pointed roughly at his chest. "I don't like boys, I don't trust boys and that means I don't like or trust you. Ya got that?" She motioned between them with two fingers, "I got my eye on you."
Ukyo nodded slowly, brow raised incredulously.
Rolling back on the balls of her feet Akane nodded, "Good, we have an understanding, Ranma-Chan, want to join me in the furo?"
"Um... Sure, just a second?" The redhead said slowly.
"Sure, I'll be waiting!" Akane called, striding passed the pair.
Ranma's eyes followed Akane and she felt an immense weight off her shoulders and a clawing sickness escaping her chest.
It wasn't all gone of course, not that quickly, but it would be soon, she was sure of it.
"Huh, well that's the second most threatening affirmation I've ever received," Ukyo hummed.
Ranma hummed in agreement before blinking, "Second?!"
Ukyo waved her off, "I'll tell you later."
"But I wanna know noooow!" Ranma jokingly whined, even as she strode backwards towards the furo.
"Later, I'll be outside chopping wood," Ukyo said.
Ranma didn't ask if he was going to help with breakfast, Ukyo would probably be turned off cooking for a while if her own experiences were anything to go by, but still...
Ranma placed her hand on the door to the furo, 'Still, this worked out.'
Now she just had to make it through school with two people after her head and be ready for whatever her old man was inevitably working on.
Easy, right?
NOTES:
One thing I have quite enjoyed in writing this fic has been the Tendo Sister Solidarity, obviously it was a bit strained this chapter, but still; Nabiki showing her faith in Kasumi as a reliable adult, Kasumi hearing out Nabiki's ideas ETC, its fun I feel. This chapter was short but the subject felt necessary to cover in isolation over making it a smaller part of a bigger chapter.
Of all the Tendo sisters I actually feel Akane would have the most trouble accepting someone being trans; Kasumi can be rather traditional but she's fairly passive about most things to the pint of ambivalence in general and Nabiki seems totally checked out on societal ideas in general. Akane however has some more overt trauma tied to her gender identity and the expectations placed on her, as well as everything with Kuno which seemed to give her a lot of not unjustified anger that came to manifest itself in a rather... Gender essentialist idea of what 'boys' were like. Combine that with her temperament and it feels like she'd be the one easiest to radicalize as such, though by the same token, the one who if she had her perspective flipped would likely be the most positive about the subject given those same traits, while Nabiki & Kasumi remained rather neutral.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Anna Lynn
The Key, and the Gate, and that which is Beyond.
- Location
- ?
- Pronouns
- Depends/On/The/Day
The whole bit with Akane struggling with the fact the transgender people are a thing was done beautifully and in character.
She had her knee-jerk reaction, then she was forced to think and reach her own conclusions.
Absolutely perfect.
Your writing is getting better with each new chapter!
She had her knee-jerk reaction, then she was forced to think and reach her own conclusions.
Absolutely perfect.
Your writing is getting better with each new chapter!
Thank you very much I am very relieved to hear it came off as in character, I've seen fic writers have a myriad of takes on how she'd handle it but this one is sort of my default.
I am heartened to hear that came across clearly as yeah that was my intended read, Akane is big on knee-jerk reactions, but can be reflective if forced to think.
Thanks so much, that is very kind of you
Chloe Sullivan
Subdefective
- Location
- 1630 Revello Drive, Sunnydale CA
I think this is accurate to the manga, where Akane is the most traditional and conventional character, period, as far as her social expectations and mores go.
If anyone in the household would have issues with non-traditional gender it's Akane - we do see this in canon, although a lot of readers miss it because it's 95% directed inward at herself. Akane beats herself up emotionally [1] about her constant failures to be conventionally feminine (in a very specifically Japanese cultural context), and this is a consistent throughline for the first 1/3 - 1/2 of the manga.
[1] and occasionally Ranma, physically, when he needles [2] her about it.
[2] One should remeber that Ranma is the jerk component of the trope - far too many people excuse his emotional abuse of Akane. It can be played off as ignorance maybe the first four times or so, but he repeats the behavior so consistently it has to be deliberate. Eventually learning that this isn't okay behavior is a key part of Ranma's arc.
If anyone in the household would have issues with non-traditional gender it's Akane - we do see this in canon, although a lot of readers miss it because it's 95% directed inward at herself. Akane beats herself up emotionally [1] about her constant failures to be conventionally feminine (in a very specifically Japanese cultural context), and this is a consistent throughline for the first 1/3 - 1/2 of the manga.
[1] and occasionally Ranma, physically, when he needles [2] her about it.
[2] One should remeber that Ranma is the jerk component of the trope - far too many people excuse his emotional abuse of Akane. It can be played off as ignorance maybe the first four times or so, but he repeats the behavior so consistently it has to be deliberate. Eventually learning that this isn't okay behavior is a key part of Ranma's arc.
Because of the variables you've already shown there might not be need of a Tsubasa Kurenai appearance. In the manga he had one story arc, just one, and that was because (admittedly my interpretation) it made sense to him that to woo Ukyo (possibly identifies as female in canon) he should dress as a girl. He knew Ukyo Kuonji was a girl posing as a guy at the all boys school. Again that is canon if understood volume nine correctly. Tsubasa Kurenai identifies as a straight guy but didn't mind being seen as gay if it mean she getting the cute girl. In the anime he shows up another time or two coming off as a real creep; bit that is running gag par for the course. Speculation of my headcanon says he goes right back to dressing as a guy after the manga story arc.
Thanks, that is heartening to hear and interesting as I confess its been awhile since I was able to read the manga outside of the one physical copy I own (The Ryu Kumon one)
Mhm, I did recall elements of that to be sure, though yeah the translations and lack of cultural context in certain regards may have left me a little ill prepared to memorize it as clearly as it could have been.
1: I always thought that was more of an anime adaption thing, though be it based on the manga, again its been awhile so they are likely merging a bit in my brain pan.
2: Honestly I think a lot of people forger that everyone in Nerima is kind of/can be a huge asshole and that includes Ranma a lot of the time.
Within the context of this story, probably not, Ukyo got wind of Genma's hunt through his Shinobi clan ties and while Tsubasa 'might' be descended from such a clan as well (Though be it one built entirely on disguises) he likely doesn't know what to listen out for to know why Ukyo suddenly vanished into the ether. Also Ukyo would likely have been much more aggressive in his rejection of Tsubasa in this setting provided he knew Tsubasa saw him as a woman and himself as a man.
Hm that is excellently reasoned.
Thanks, that is heartening to hear
and of course she asserts this even though she hasn't actually done a, uh, chi karyotype.
Never heard that term before but yeah, Akane in canon often sort of stakes a claim to expertise & authority where she doesn't necessarily have any/enough to say anything and given the topic, plus Ranma's own insights, she's very much not in her lane here.
Fun aside, the introduction of 'masculine and femine Chi' was actually cos I recall an episode where Happosai was weakened by being tricked into absorbing Chi from boys gyms clothes thinking it was his "hawl" and growing weak and sick from the experience. The fact Happosai can apparently sap Ranma and not have this happen to him shouldn't raise any eyebrows at all
My only complaint about this fic is that there isn't more of it.
Really. Everything moves pretty quickly (Akane turned around fast!) and there isn't much in the way of episodic zaniness. It feels like it could use a little fleshing out with the descriptions and imagery, as well as the narrative pacing.
Compared to the alternative, this is preferable for a passion project. Better to get too much done too quickly than agonize over chapters that are never finished, right? Still, it's noticeable enough to point out.
Edit:
It'd be fun to see this develop into a plot point, but be careful. Mystical martial arts gender essentialism is ultimately just as treacherous as physiological or genetic gender essentialism. Still plenty of room to explore, though. How would a ki blast empowered by gender euphoria work?
Honestly, I can't wait for your take on the rest of the loonies in the cast.
Really. Everything moves pretty quickly (Akane turned around fast!) and there isn't much in the way of episodic zaniness. It feels like it could use a little fleshing out with the descriptions and imagery, as well as the narrative pacing.
Compared to the alternative, this is preferable for a passion project. Better to get too much done too quickly than agonize over chapters that are never finished, right? Still, it's noticeable enough to point out.
Edit:
Fun aside, the introduction of 'masculine and femine Chi' was actually cos I recall an episode where Happosai was weakened by being tricked into absorbing Chi from boys gyms clothes thinking it was his "hawl" and growing weak and sick from the experience. The fact Happosai can apparently sap Ranma and not have this happen to him shouldn't raise any eyebrows at all
It'd be fun to see this develop into a plot point, but be careful. Mystical martial arts gender essentialism is ultimately just as treacherous as physiological or genetic gender essentialism. Still plenty of room to explore, though. How would a ki blast empowered by gender euphoria work?
Honestly, I can't wait for your take on the rest of the loonies in the cast.
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That's high praise, thanks so much!
Yeah I definitely agree with you there, this is sort of like a over a season if that makes sense, trying to include as much as I can while still resolving it in a reasonable amount of time.
That was my thinking, I was worried I wouldn't finish the story if I gave each antagonist an 'episode' or two to themselves, and left time for big training and other stuff. I'd rather have a finished short story than an endless long one.
Oh don't worry its not intended as such, that's why neutral Chi, Yin Yang & such were also mentioned, Akane's grasp of this subject is not even at the beginner level, I just found it an interesting concept to tinker with and bring up given the discussion. I am just imagining a trans pride flag in laser beam form, I love it.
Hehehe, thanks XD