A karyotype is a DNA test done to determine what chromosomes someone actually has.
Ranma New Half
- Thread starter Zam
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- What if? Modern
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- ranma one half
tomaO2
Male
Skimmed the story, don't really get how saving some water from the cursed springs makes the change perminant.
Personally, I don't get this obsession with making Ranma a woman. In my mind, the real story of Ranma's trans state is the dysmorphia of being a woman when his canon character completely identifies as being male. He's literally forced to be in the wrong body. That seems like the real story, not this idea that Ranma wants to become a full-time female. This sort of change is just too far against Ranma's canon personality for me. I feel Ukyo is in a similar boat. I doubt she liked being a man in canon, she just felt obligated to doing so in order to achieve her goals. I find it more uplifting that she figures out that she can do what she wants as a woman, rather than doubling down as a man.
Anyway, one thing that I believe you are forgetting about is Ranma's mother. I did a search on Nodoka's name and only got one result.
Combat skills are important, sure, but the oath Genma made was that Ranma would become a man among men, or else the ritual suicide, for both himself and Ranma. That could reasonably been seen to involve being an actual man. This isn't something casually ignored either. Not only does Ranma have a strong sense of following his oaths, but seppuku is considered to be a much more acceptable choice in Japan than in America. At the minimum, Ranma would be trying really hard to hide she's a woman around Nodoka, cause that would be seen as the best option for this situation, and it is a lot harder, perhaps impossible, to do so if the change has become perminant.
I think that, in canon, Genma sat on this information until Nodoka showed up, but he'd be bringing it up a lot sooner if Ranma was determined to stay a woman.
Another thing I noticed. Not sure if you are doing this or not, but if you are using "kun" as a male suffix, that is not how Japanese works. It is certainly used more often with guys, but it's a gender neutral term. "Chan" doesn't mean girl either. It's mainly used to express how cute you think someone is. Japan is really big on cuteness.
Personally, I don't get this obsession with making Ranma a woman. In my mind, the real story of Ranma's trans state is the dysmorphia of being a woman when his canon character completely identifies as being male. He's literally forced to be in the wrong body. That seems like the real story, not this idea that Ranma wants to become a full-time female. This sort of change is just too far against Ranma's canon personality for me. I feel Ukyo is in a similar boat. I doubt she liked being a man in canon, she just felt obligated to doing so in order to achieve her goals. I find it more uplifting that she figures out that she can do what she wants as a woman, rather than doubling down as a man.
Anyway, one thing that I believe you are forgetting about is Ranma's mother. I did a search on Nodoka's name and only got one result.
'At least the boy's combat skills didn't completely vanish with his manhood!' A part of him thought, even as he trembled in fear and terror at the memories of the night before. 'Nodoka will never let this slide, nor will I, we cannot!' he thought, eyes finally opening to a dimly lit medical lounge.
Combat skills are important, sure, but the oath Genma made was that Ranma would become a man among men, or else the ritual suicide, for both himself and Ranma. That could reasonably been seen to involve being an actual man. This isn't something casually ignored either. Not only does Ranma have a strong sense of following his oaths, but seppuku is considered to be a much more acceptable choice in Japan than in America. At the minimum, Ranma would be trying really hard to hide she's a woman around Nodoka, cause that would be seen as the best option for this situation, and it is a lot harder, perhaps impossible, to do so if the change has become perminant.
I think that, in canon, Genma sat on this information until Nodoka showed up, but he'd be bringing it up a lot sooner if Ranma was determined to stay a woman.
Another thing I noticed. Not sure if you are doing this or not, but if you are using "kun" as a male suffix, that is not how Japanese works. It is certainly used more often with guys, but it's a gender neutral term. "Chan" doesn't mean girl either. It's mainly used to express how cute you think someone is. Japan is really big on cuteness.
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Because characters think jumping in an alternative spring or accessing barrels of spring water would get them de-cursed and Taro was able to add to his curse by taking samples of water for his own use, so there's plenty of precedent for adding to, detracting from or generally changing the magic.
You're entitled to your opinion, though I honestly can't comprehend why you felt the need to bring it up here, and more pointedly, regardless of the original authors intent she inadvertently created an incredibly trans woman character in Ranma. What with her almost always being happier, more sociable and expressive in 'cursed mode', having developed a vast and wide array of feminine outfits and personas that she breaks out without having any actual need to. And capping off the series with acknowledging the curse as part of herself with varying degrees of intensity depending on the translation. Ukyo is explicitly gender fluid in this fic, so I don't know what you're even talking about on that front.
... Ranma hasn't even been there a week, why would I be bringing Nodoka in yet? This is like complaining I haven't introduced Herb yet when Ranma hasn't even attended her first class.
ALso I straight up have Genma acknowledge that Ranma retaining her combat skills isn't going to undo the contract, that comment is just Genma's sexism manifesting in assuming a Cursed Ranma/Someone who is a woman is inherently weak and being satisfied "his training" was good enough to "overcome that."
I'm using the suffixes associated with the characters from canon, this is standard for most fics and even the show itself, Akane is addressed by Chan, Ranma often is when in her cursed form, ETC, I don't even really understand what you're aiming for here, it feel like nitpicking but based on something from the show itself.
tomaO2
Male
I noticed you having Genma say Ranma-kun when I skimmed the story, so I figured you may have mistakenly thought it was a term for men.
I think Nodoka is more relvent, since this isn't Genma just being transphobic. His life is literally on the line. It seems an important bit of context for the character. It wasn't all that important in canon at this point, since Ranma wanted to be a man, but is more so here.
I think Nodoka is more relvent, since this isn't Genma just being transphobic. His life is literally on the line. It seems an important bit of context for the character. It wasn't all that important in canon at this point, since Ranma wanted to be a man, but is more so here.
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I vaguely recall Genma using it in the anime, but my memory might be playing tricks on me. But generally I am basing it on what I remember characters saying, hence Ranma addressing Nabiki & Kasumi as Nee-Chan as that's how Ranma addressed them in the show.
Chapter 7
Ranma New Half
Chapter 7
Ranma was pleased to find the journey to Furinkan Highschool was going by without incident; they'd even picked up Akane's friends along the way. The blunette having spent much of the trip, avidly introducing Ranma to the girls, while the redhead tried to keep pace and Ukyo hovered in the background.
However, as they came to the walls surrounding the school they slowed at the sight before them. Nabiki, along with what Ranma guessed were her two friends, leaning against the wall and looking mischievous.
"Make it here safely everyone? Very good," She beckoned them closer, "I need to borrow Kuonji-Kun."
"Miss Tendo, I'm here to look out for Ranchan."
"She's here safely and its just for a bit," She sent the boy a wink, "I just want a handsome man on my arm as I go into school; and for you to humiliate a samurai for me~"
Ukyo was off the fence with a flip in a second flat, kissing the back of Nabiki's hand and bowing, "Well, far be it from me to leave a lovely lady without an escort."
The pair and Nabiki's friends quickly disappeared around the corner, the sounds of Kuno's theatrical proclamations filling the air.
"Ah, he's still angry at her," Sayuri murmured as the sounds of extraordinary violence filled the air.
Akane shook her head, "I never expected he'd switch his obsession like this," She clenched her fist, "I'd better get back to one hundred percent fast."
Ranma was frowning as they turned the corner to the sight of Kuno embedded in a wall, bloody and bruised. "I don't know why she couldn't have me do it."
"Oh don't worry about that," Yuka patted her back, "She probably just doesn't want Kuno obsessed with you."
"Yeah," Sayuri added, "He only got obsessed with Akane-Chan after she beat him in a sparring match.
"A decision I will regret forever... But I'd still do it," Akane brushed a hand through her hair and watched as Ukyo argued with Sasuke.
"A lowborn vagrant has no right to lecture my master on manners," The diminutive ninja hissed, hoisting Kuno over his shoulder.
"Better a vagrant than a dog, go and eat your masters shit, traitor."
Sasuke snorted and leapt into the air and vanished with a flicker of shadow and lights.
Ukyo spat out something under his breath, before giving them all a wave and jumping onto the school entryway, off a window and onto the roof to keep watch.
Akane tilted her head, a thought circling in her mind as she swapped out her shoes.
"What's on your mind Akane-Chan?" Ranma asked, hopping from foot to foot as if testing her own shoes.
"Just wondering... Well, I suppose I understand why Shinobi hate samurai. I mean, they're criminals and Samurai have often been police, but where do we martial artists fit into that?"
Ranma's head tilted, an odd expression on her face as she bit her lip before nodding and answering. "Tis a bit more complicate than that; you see, Samurai weren't just cops, they were also lords and kings. Shinobi on the other hand might have become clans but they usually started cos of people fleeing samurai and those in power.
Seeing Akane listening intently, Ranma continued as they strode down the halls. "Pops said that was why more women and uh, other people are shinobi than Samurai. Well that and weakness." Ranma waved her hand quickly. "He's an idiot of course but that's sort of the inception of it here. Us martial artists though..."
"Let me guess, Genma had an opinion on that too?" Akane asked half in annoyance, half in good humor.
Ranma coughed into her hand and in a mockery of Genma's crackly, squeaky voice said, "Martial arts is the power of the working man. Not the nobles blade or the cowards dagger, but the good honest fist of the farmer and the carpenter." She snorted, "Which I guess kinda lines up with our history, at least here in Japan; what with self defense from bandits and monsters and all that."
"Come on Ranma-Chan, I can accept some of the craziness that comes from all this Chi business and panda transformations, but monsters?" Akane's eyes grew wider as Sayuri and Yuka stared in confusion. "Ranma-Chan there's no such thing as monsters right?"
"Weeelllllll,"
Lunch time proved hectic for Ranma as a swarm of people surrounded her in short order to ask questions or spark intrigue.
"Who were those people who attacked you?"
"Did you really go to China?"
"Is that really your natural hair color?"
"Are you single!?"
Fortunately, Akane and her friends kept some space between her and the throng, letting Ranma answer at least some of those questions as she tore through the Kasumi made lunch.
Things continued in this fashion until-
"Hey Ranchan," Ukyo was pulling himself in through the window.
"Wait isn't that one of the guys who attacked you!?" Someone shrieked, Ranma hadn't picked up on everyone's names yet.
"Yo Uchan, did you bring me some extra food?" She called.
Ukyo's expression twitched in obviously offence, "I'm some a homemaker, and look outside."
Ranma got up and the crowd followed, several people gasping at the sight below, but Akane gave the most vocal reaction.
"What is she doing!?"
Because down below, were Xian Pu, the bandanna boy and most shocking of all, Nabiki; who was currently engaging in animated discourse with the pair.
"We should go down there," Ukyo murmured.
"I mean, they haven't attacked her yet, buuuut, yeah probably-" Ranma stilled as Akane's phone went off and the girl answered.
"Are you crazy!? Those people are- Oh, uh, I mean... Yeah they're... OK, one sec." Akane held her phone to her chest and said, "She's convinced them to wait on fighting you until after school."
Nabiki's voice on the other end of the line rose and Akane sighed loudly, "She will also be taking wagers on the fight."
"Cool," Ranma said slowly, "Tell her to tell them I agree I guess?"
How in the world Nabiki pulled that off?
Ranma wasn't sure her own efforts to talk people out of killing her ever even netted a reprieve of a few minutes, let alone hours!
That was when the boy roared from down below, "This time Ranma! You shall not escape me! I Ryoga Hibiki will end you where it all began, in a school yard! Humiliating your cowardly self before an audience of hundreds!"
It all came rushing back to her, but revelation on his identity was also accompanied by a violent spasm across her frame and Ranma lurched towards the window. "What did you call me asshole!? I'll kick your directionally challenged ass right now!" She was barely held back by Akane and Ukyo's combined efforts, hissing and spitting down at the boy.
Xian Pu just stared up at her, before her attention drifted to Akane to whom she waved.
Akane, a slave to social etiquette waved back before she remembered this girl was here to kill her friend.
Nabiki was already returning to the school and students were drifting out of the class to place early bets; but many among them heard what came next.
"Ranchan, I'll take this Hibiki guy, you handle Xian Pu," Ukyo said.
"Um, excuse me, no way in hell. I'll be taking both of them!" Ranma snapped.
"Um," Akane started, only to be cut off.
"Ranchan, please don't argue with me on this, fighting both of them is a terrible idea, and I don't want you getting hurt."
"I am a martial artist, I can handle Ryoga Hibiki of all people and I've beaten Xian Pu before."
"That's not-"
Akane's hand clapped against the back of each of their heads, "Its a doubles fight you idiots, they'll be fighting you both."
Just as another round of arguing was set to begin, the bell rung.
With the end of the school day Nabiki found herself in a most profitable position; bets already taken and a massive audience gathered around the soccer field by the pool to watch the ensuing spectacle. No she didn't feel bad for selling tickets to a death match, because the fight was going to happen no matter what, thank you very much.
She did however feel a touch sad for Ranma's obviously foul mood. Joining the redhead and brunette on the right side of the soccer field even she could see Ranma was practically radiating anger at anyone and everyone, but especially at Ryoga Hibiki. Nabiki caught the tail end of the conversation as she arrived.
"It was over bread?"
"I guess, who cares, the idiot is mine, you hear?"
Nabiki inserted herself in the conversation before they could continue, "Afternoon dears, want to hear the odds?"
Ranma's scowl increased, 'So that is it,' Nabiki thought, still feeling a bit bad for encouraging the idea Ranma had run away from Ryoga so more people would bet against her and thus lose when Ranma won.
"I already heard-em, I can't believe people think I'm some kinda wimp!" Ranma cracked her knuckles, "I'm gonna show him, show-em all."
"Well," Nabiki patted her on the shoulder, "I sure hope you do seeing as I wagered on you two." She gave the redhead a wink, "Just try to take out that Xian Pu girl first. I have her marked for an early round knock out."
That drew a snort from Ranma, some life in her eyes only to be squashed as Ryoga shouted, "Done getting your affairs' in order Saotome?!"
Xian Pu turned away from whatever conversation she was having with Akane, drawing her Chui as a blazing red battle aura to match her rube eyes flooded her skin.
"Ranma! We fight!"
"I'm coming ya impatient bastards!"
Akane was, grudgingly, getting out of the blast zone, and once Nabiki took a few steps back, the metaphorical gong was rung.
Akane watched in growing dread from the sidelines, jolting as the fighters began their charge.
Ranma was the fastest, clear as day; passing Ukyo and surging towards Ryoga with a rictus snarl on her lips.
Xian Pu shot in front of the boy, slashing her Chui, only for Ranma to flip over the steel orbs.
She tried to deliver a kick to Ryoga's head, but was blocked by his umbrella, the force made the boys knees quake.
Ukyo shot to Ryoga's side, intent on delivering a sudden slash to Ryoga's side but he ignored Xian Pu and the Amazon blocked his blow.
Ranma landed and just as she made to strike Ryoga the boy snagged her arm with a handcuff.
"No running this time, Ranma!"
"I DIDN'T RUN!" She howled, flinging herself at Ryoga with more fury than the skill Akane had come to expect.
It turned the tables almost instantly.
Ryoga was able to block her first heavy flow and though he quaked, Ranma's guard was down; Xian Pu delivered a singular Chui strike to the side of her head while Ryoga blocked Ukyo's attack and Ranma went careening off to the side.
"Rancha-Urk!" Xian Pu's Chui was buried in Ukyo's gut and Ryoga slashed the boy across the face with his umbrella sending the Shinobi flying.
"Ranma-Chan!" Akane called, shooting to her feet, but she froze at the look on the redheads face.
She was smirking.
Ranma snagged the material binding her to Ryoga, her feet dug into the earth and with a roar she ripped the boy off his feet and towards her.
It was too fast for Xian Pu to catch and Ranma used Ryoga's momentum to drive her fist into the boys cheek and sending him straight into the ground, imprinting into the earth.
"Using my own tool against me, coward!" Ryoga snapped.
Ranma didn't react this time and so was able to weave around Xian Pu's speedy side strike and deliver a kick to one of her Chui, sending it into the air.
"Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice and I'd have to be as dumb as you!"
The bandanna clad boy shot to his feet with a shout and lashed out at Ranma, cutting off Xian Pu's charge, only for his blow to be redirected and Ranma's fist to fight its way into his gut.
Ryoga was sent skidding back, a cloud of dust spilling out from beneath his feet. Xian Pu made another go at Ranma's head, but found her strike blocked by the sudden return of Ukyo, disarming her in one slash and forcing her to retreat.
Whatever words were exchanged between Ukyo and Ranma were quick and to the point, but not so swift that Xian Pu couldn't unveil a massive Dao sword from inside her top, making even Ryoga boggle.
Ryoga and Xian Pu shot forward, keeping their formation tight, weapons drawn.
Ranma bounced on her feet and into the air, rebounding off Ukyo's weapon who helped vault her into the sky, and with her she took Ryoga, dragging him seven, eight, well over twelve stories high!
'I can barely make them out!' Akane thought as the redhead and bandanna clad boy exchanged vicious fisticuffs in the sky, using the cuffs to swing each other around the sky.
On the ground, Ukyo and Xian Pu were all flashing blades and sparking steel, winds kicking up around them that forced students to retreat as their duel drove them closer to the pool. Everyone was moving like water around them, forming a massive wall, eyes craned to the sky or on the vicious battle of blades going on before them.
Ranma and Ryoga's shouting voices could be heard echoing from the sky and Akane zeroed in on the pair.
Ranma had Ryoga's shirt grasped in one hand and was repeatedly punching his face. The boy trashed and twisted to escape her grip, only to end up in a choke hold that had his face aiming towards the ground.
They met the earth with an explosion of dust and force, making a crated easily the size of a small car
By the time the smoke cleared, Ryoga had barely broken free of Ranma's hold; he tried to force her back with a wide arcing swing of his umbrella only for it to be kicked from his hand.
Ranma vaulted forward on one leg and drove her outstretched leg into the boys head, sending him skidding along the oval.
He screeched to a stop next to one of Xian Pu's Chui and as Ranma made to lunge at him, Ryoga roared and loosed the weapon in a wide arc.
Ranma swerved her way around it and while her blow did not strike Ryoga because of it, she blocked his counter attack and the two delivered a duel exchange, blood spilling from their noses.
Someone who did not swerve around the Chui was Xian Pu.
Momentarily disarmed by Ukyo she'd leapt into the air and snatched Ryoga's umbrella before leaping over the her foe. Opening the bladed tool and readying to spin it like a shuriken, which meant she did not see the Chui flying towards her head until the last moment. It struck with a clang, the metal denting as it snapped the girls head to the side and sent her careening into the pool without even a scream.
Ranma & Ryoga's fisticuffs froze and something strange bubbled up in Akane's gut as Ukyo & Nabiki watched on impassively as the girl did not rise from the pool but sunk, limp and unmoving.
"Xian Pu!"
Akane flung herself into the water, barely registering Ranma and Ryoga leaping over head to save the fallen amazon.
It was only once she herself began to sink that Akane remembered she couldn't swim.
Nabiki watched the amazon fall impassively, musing, 'Well that's one problem solved.'
Only to repress a cry of "Oh come on!" as three voices howled the girls name, including her would be victim as they all leapt into the pool after her.
The whole school got to watch Ryoga turn into a piglet of all things, while Ranma dived into the water and scooped Xian Pu's limp form up and-
Nabiki blinked as the third voice finally registered and she saw Akane thrashing in the water.
"She can't swim!" Nabiki shouted, shoving Ukyo towards the pool.
Fortunately he didn't need any more encouragement and threw several strands of white material, like thick string, than wrapped around Akane and pulled her from the water before Ranma even got close.
Akane was spluttering on the side of the pool, chest heaving, to shocked to even defend her pride as her friends raced forward and draped a towel over her shoulders and started saying kind words.
'Good, I'd have no clue what to say,' Nabiki thought, as Ranma hoisted Xian Pu from the pool and listened to her heartbeat.
A look of dread flooded her features and the girl's pallor practically died as she ripped Xian Pu's armor off and began compressing her chest.
"Don't die on me, I still owe you," She half shouted, cupping the girls head and breathing into her mouth.
Ukyo had dropped down at her side and taken over the compressions, while Ranma breathed for the amazon and after nearly a minute there was a pained spluttering and the girl spit up a mouthful of water on Ranma's face.
The redhead sagged back in relief, "Oh thank gods..."
Akane had joined the trio and was watching intently as Xian Pu's chest began to rise and fall, her eyes still closed and she said, "We should get her to the nurses office."
Nabiki's head turned back to Ryoga who was... Currently thrashing about in the pool, going left, then right, then back, then in circles.
"Woah, what a fight!"
"So romantic!"
"Wait how does this effect the bets?"
"Did he turn into a pig?"
Nabiki smirked and pulled out a handful of leaflets from her school bag, generously donated by Ranma and the schools copy machine.
"Hear ye. hear ye, if you want to know the secret behind Ryoga's curse, then look no further, for I have ten, count-em ten copies of the Jusenkeyo guide, donated by Ranma-Chan herself! Bidding starts at ten thousand Yen!"
As students gathered around her, they ignored Ukyo fishing Ryoga out of the pool and trailing after the girls as they carried Xian Pu into the school over their shoulders.
"You martial artists are quite durable so she should be fine," tutted the school nurse; brushing passed Ukyo & a worried piglet at the foot of the bed.
Ranma rocked back and forth on a stool next to where Xian Pu lay, on a thin, flat bed, dressed in a gown; her sopping wet hair wrapped in a towel and a cold compress, each breath small and shallow.
"Yeah, we are, and Xian Pu's tough. She'll be up and trying to kill me again in no time."
Akane, now dressed in her sports uniform patted her on the back, "I hope she wakes up soon."
Ranma nodded, but a thoughtful hum escaped her lips, "Say, why are you invested?"
Akane blinked, "Well, I mean, why wouldn't I be?"
"Because she's trying to kill Ranchan," Ukyo helpfully supplied.
"Well- I-" Akane choked and flushed, before snapping, "Its complicated OK!" Ranma just continued to stare and the girl began to blush, "Well why did you try and save her then!?"
"Oh that's easy!" Ranma spun on her seat to face the other girl and mock whispered, "Ya see, after the Springs, pops was dead set on looking fir a 'cure' for me. So, when Xian Pu swore her vengeance and started chasing us all over China, he had no time to look for one and eventually gave up. If not for her, he mighta gotten desperate enough to just force me into a Spring."
Ranma shuddered at the thought and spun back around, rocking her stool back and forth, "And besides, there's not a lot of people my age I know, or knew and I thought... I dunno, that maybe she'd be a cool friend to have... Once she stopped trying to kill me, mostly."
"Oh Ranma-Chan," Akane sighed, rubbing her back.
Ranma's head tilted back and to the side, "Sooooo, your turn~"
Akane swallowed, "Its..." She looked to the sleeping amazon, "After we fought yesterday... She, well she knocked me down, hard, but then she stayed with me and made sure I could breath and she... She... She called me a warrior." The other girl reached out and brushed her fingers along Xian Pu's scarred knuckles, "Then she waved at me this morning and I just... I haven't been able to get her out of my head. I wanted to speak to her, to.... Understand her, and fight with her again."
Ranma could feel herself grinning and cheered, "Well I'm sure you'll get your chance soon enough, but speaking of fight." Her gaze drifted to Ryoga who as if sensing her attention began thrashing and snarling and squeaking in Ukyo's grasp.
"Dude, calm down," Ranma reached out to try and such him when the piglet bit down on her hand, "Ah!"
"Bastard!" Ukyo snarled and slammed the pig into the floor.
"Don't bully him!" Akane snapped, shoving Ukyo to the side and picking the dazed piglet up.
"Uh, he did try to murder me," Ranma said slowly.
"I know, but he's a piglet right now, he's as harmless as a... Well this," She said, holding the squirming black piglet out to thrash uselessly in her grasp.
"Fine, can you get him to chill out for a hot second then?"
Akane turned Ryoga around and stared him dead in the eyes, "Hibiki-San, please let Ranma-Chan say her peace and then you can say yours."
There was a near minute long stand off before Ryoga drooped as if to say "I can't do anything about this anyway" which was as good as Ranma expected to get.
"I'll boil the kettle," Ukyo said drifting into the side room.
Ranma nodded but quickly turned her full attention to the glaring piglet.
"OK, Ryoga-Kun, listen up. I didn't run out on our fight, my dad took me away, but!" She said sharply, "I will happily give you the fight you're looking for. Second!" She began counting off on her fingers, "I am sorry for knocking you into the spring of drowned piglet; even if following me to a place called Jusenkyo was about as stupid as I've come to expect from you."
"Ranma-Chan," Akane said warningly.
"Right, right, anyway it was an accident but its still my responsibility to fix it and with that in mind..." Ranma reached for her school bag and revealed a thermos. "This might... Might help." Seeing the dual confused stares, Ranma pressed on.
"This s Spring of Drowned Girl water, and the guide said that using it might mix the curses or even switch them around. What that means is you might become like a piggy girl over a pig, or you might only be a pig in hot water. Either way, it'll be way easier to stay human and keep your hands.. I know," she said, holding out her hand, "That this isn't a cure-all but its a good start right?"
The pig stared at her, wide and watery eyed, and a moment later the kettle began to whistle. Ranma was barely out of her seat before a hand shot out of the room beckoning for Ryoga and remembering how the cursed boys clothes had been left behind in the pool...
Akane quickly passed the piglet through the door.
What followed was several minutes of waiting as Ryoga apparently dressed himself and then struggled to find his way out of a room with one door.
When he stepped out, his hair was still damp and his cheeks flushed, his fingers twiddling together.
"You're serious right, not messing with me?" He said, looking at the thermos.
"I wouldn't lie, not about something like this," Ranma said firmly, "I even used one of them myself so I could never be transformed again."
Ryoga blinked owlishly murmuring something she couldn't make out before speaking louder.
"But if I take that water I'd be a girl?"
"Ye-"
"I mean, what if I saw myself naked? That'd be hugely inappropriate!"
"I me-"
"But then I'd be a girl so would it be OK?"
"I don-"
"Would I have a cute, huggable body like yours?!"
Ranma didn't even get the chance to try and answer Ryoga's face was burning as the martial artist leapt through the window, "I need to think about this!" before landing on the school grounds and blurring out into the streets.
Akane stared at the broken window, "That was... Unexpected."
"Huh... Well I hope she figures it out," Ranma murmured, before her attention was drawn to Xian Pu who rolled over and groaned in Mandarin.
"Sorry about the noise, Xian Pu," She offered, and the girl sat up, glaring and groggy. Left hand pulling away the towel and ice pack, releasing her tangled purple locks and rubbing the spot struck by her Chui.
"Is fine, been awake, just headache."
"Awake?" Akane gasped, "Uh, for how long?"
Xian Pu offered the other girl a lazy wink, that had Akane burying her face in her hands, while the amazon turned her attention to Ranma. "You saved me."
"I mean, yeah, but you know why so it doesn't really change anything righ-" Xian Pu pulled her forward and kissed her on the lips.
She tasted of chlorine and frost and Ranma's brain was doing backflips as it overheated, Akane gawking at the pair as Xian Pu pulled back.
"The kiss of death revoked, I cannot kill one who saved me," Ranma wobbled on her stool and fell to the floor, making Xian Pu chuckle weakly, "Good kisser, no?"
Ranma scrambled to her feet, "So wait, what about your honor?"
"Ranma-Chan don't try and get her to kill you again!" Akane groaned, through her hands, face still burning with embarrassment.
Xian Pu shrugged and lay back down, "No honor in killing one who saved me."
"But..." Ranma's brain worked in over time and she took Xian Pu's hand, "What about your village, can you still go back?"
The girls ruby red eyes refused to meet hers, "Maybe... On technicality... No most likely not.... Will think of something."
Ranma knew what she wanted to say and thankfully Akane said it for her, "You can stay with us until you figure it out!"
The amazon arched her brow and smirked, before shaking her head, "Thank you, but no charity. Dr Tofu offered a place of stay if I help in the clinic. We can still fight though."
"Uh, um, thank you?" Akane was smiling uncertainly and Ranma's grin was out in full force, things were looking up!
The door to the nurses office slid open, revealing Nabiki, "Everyone sorted out their blood feuds?"
"We're done," Ranma sang, "How much did you earn and do I get some?"
"Good and lots thanks to taking out three separate bets, here's your cut." Nabiki then slid a bark of chocolate into Ranma's mouth which she bit down on with giggling glee.
"Say, where's Kuonji-Kun?"
Ranma swallowed, eyes widening, "Oh..." Her head turned to the side room door which Akane opened to reveal empty space.
"Oh no..."
Genma Saotome leaned forward with Soun, carefully inspecting the swirling orb before them.
"This item can eject magic from any being," explained the robed figure, "It was no small labor for me to build and would take months to make again."
"It sounds like exactly what we are looking for," Genma intoned.
"Indeed, but there is the matter of my price," Chuckled the sorcerer.
"And that price would be?" Soun asked, as Genma considered just snatching it and leaving.
"Well, I have heard you have a lovely-"
Something sharp and swift flew through the air and before Genma could even do more than take a stance, a squared off blade had cleaved through the orb, leaving its magic to swirl into the air and fade.
"No, no!" howled the sorcerer.
"That was our best shot!" Cried Soun, leaning away from spinning blades aimed at Genma as white powder began to fill the room and a savage voice snarled, "Good."
"Danm you child!" sobbed the magic user, loosing some strange spell in the direction of their attackers voice only to hit nothing.
Genma barely dodged the giant blade that was aimed at decapitating him, the white powder swirled and they vanished into the abyss of vision.
"Shinobi! Soun get out of here!" He cried, barely dodging a second strike as the air began to burn and burst into flames around him.
Soun grabbed the howling sorcerer and leapt outside the ruined restaurant they'd been using as a meeting point.
"I am going to carve out your heart," The attacker rasped, voice thrown and rebounding off the walls. "I will cut out your eyes and tear off your head!"
A blade cut across Genma's cheek and he hissed, 'Powder, exploding smoke, blades and silent movement, Umisenken will be useless against a Shinobi and I've not the time or energy for a drawn out battle.'
With an explosive wave of his Chi, Genma was able to clear the room at the expense of making himself more vulnerable to attack be it let him catch sight of brown hair and a familiar set of weapons, "Kuonji," He muttered.
"Die!" The girl howled at him, missing from carving open his chest by mere milliseconds as he leapt into the air, through the roof and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Demon God, Multiple Strike."
Soun watched from the sidelines as his friend soared from the building in awe as Genma's chi swelled to incredible heights. The air around him surging wildly and contorting into three giant vacuum blades of invisible force.
Their attacker never stood a chance.
The ensuing wave of earth tearing, cement cutting, steel piercing power demolished the building in a single instant and left nothing but wreckage in three great trenches carved into the street.
Genma landed and glowered at his handiwork before snorting and turning to face him, "Never fear old friend, that was just a bitter Shinobi from the road, unable to accept her place in the world."
Soun nodded, still star struck, Genma had always been strong but this, "My friend, that was incredible!"
Genma chuckled, "Well, you pick things up, haha," He then suddenly grew sober, "Sorcerer, do you have-"
"No! No I do not have another orb like that, those are incredibly expensive and difficult to make!" She tore herself away from Soun and gathered her robes around herself, "You clearly only lead to trouble, I am leaving before it cuts me too!" With that she faded into the nearest shadows.
"What an odd turn of phrase," Soun murmured, rubbing his chin.
"Indeed, but still, we mustn't lose our focus, Soun, where is our next-"
Genma froze, a gleaming blade had slid its way around his shoulder and now rested against his throat, while another was pressed to his back. A woman in a blue, patterned kimono of elegant make, with dark red hair whispered into his ear.
"Hello, husband of mine."
"N-"
The blade at his throat drew a drop of blood.
"I want you to answer only one thing for me, Genma."
He nodded weakly.
"Where. Is. My. Son?"
NOTES:
Have I mentioned I really enjoy world building? Cos I really enjoy world building XD Nabiki still using her powers of persuasion to make a profit and also those who noted Ukyo had inherited some toxic masculinity, thanks for the idea!
Yes, Xian Pu & Rygoa did try to strategize before this match, its just their strategy didn't go far beyond "Piss Ranma off so she gets careless". I also chose to frame the fight from an outsider perspective for ease and to show what all sides were doing, and cos it set up Akane's bit effectively.
Xian Pu feels~ One amazon is feeling very loved in this Chilli's tonight, even as she is left pondering whether she can ever go home again; also wanted to use the life debt idea for ages. I've been envisioning that Ryoga and thermos scene since I started writing this story, I hope it landed well, cos Ryoga's reaction to Ranma's curse always screamed gender envy to me and I sympathize.
Also, the Shinobi is out, yes, YES, the Shinobi is out!
And also sadly about to find out despite his many failures and pathetic traits, Genma is actually a very accomplished martial artist when pressed. Also seriously, the Demon God, Multiple Strike is legit one of my favorite Ranma 1/2 techniques ever, as are its variants. Also the restaurant destroyed was the sight of the canonical cat café, mostly for the Easter egg value.
Nodoka's here! I have some plans for her if/when I get to the last chapter/chapters, but yeah that's all I can say for now XD
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Hexcalibur
Not So Ordinary Sword
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- It
Hopefully this isn't the version of Nodoka that insists that the oath is binding to Ranma since she was a toddler at the time it was made and has no understanding of what is happening.
Nodoka's nature will become clearer in the ensuing chapters. Suffice to say I want to avoid making her the borderline one note 'joke' she was in canon, while not just handwaving away the contract or her looming presence as a potential problem.
- Location
- Elsewhere
Deeply ironic coming from Genma.
He is a deeply hypocritical man in his heart of hearts.
Subrosian_Smithy
endless
- Location
- Washington
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Hers
Look, Ranma 1/2 was a fantastic manga and I think we all love it. But it was a product of its time and its readership has changed with time. You're on SV, not a 90s mailing list, no-one is going to settle for this plausibly-deniable queer-coding where you get to have a genderfuck storyline without any transgender people in it and all of the cool and relatable gender-bender characters are really only in their respective situations for purposes of melodrama and sitcom. I'm not sure I've ever seen a character arc of the sort you describe as written with enough swag to avoid feeling like a paean to the virtues of normative gender roles, because having the range to talk about Ukyo is pretty much mutually exclusive with the desire for a story where a butch woman's gender issues are resolved with a Hallmark ending.
Like, fuck, we can ditch the various AU ideas that have been floated over the years and take all of the characters at their word when they insist they're firmly cisgender, but a Ranma 1/2 fanfic where the main characters grapple with the restrictive boxes they've been put in should still look more like some annoyingly queer Ao3 porn with song lyrics for a title than an aggressively heteronormative FF.net epic about finding a Jusenkyo cure. It's been 30 years, we've all seen Ranma flash his titties for free ice cream and martial arts one-upsmanship, it's time to face the music and collectively admit that our guy is having fun with this. He's trapped in the wrong mindset and dealing with bouts of deep insecurity and toxic masculinity, not forced into the wrong body.
If you want to make Ranma's story arc explicitly and not just implicitly genderqueer, then you pretty much have to make Ranma some degree of transfeminine. It fits his canonical circumstances, having been assigned male at birth and raised and policed accordingly, and it directly dovetails with his character arc of trying to deal with some of the gendered hangups that his childhood saddled him with. (And frankly, a lot of ostensibly male!Ranma fanfic that I'm poking fun at falls under this general umbrella anyways; it's just that Ranma uses dated language to describe his situation when he finally arrives at a more relaxed and confident self-image, or his situation gives him no reason to adopt a specific non-binary identity, so his literal gender fluidity in such stories doesn't trigger red flags in the part of your brain that sees trans representation in fanfiction and skips a beat.)
And you can obviously go in the other direction and use Ranma's body dysphoria as the plot hook of a transmasculine storyline, but that pretty much requires you to write some sort of modelock to take away his sense of agency and prevent him from reclaiming his curse (which is easily viable, but completely changes the tone), or else to just do away with the curse as a metaphor and write him as a literal trans man (which breaks what a modelock strains and scraps the canon plotline completely). Even without getting into the significant demographic biases at play, it really shouldn't be surprising or objectionable that people keep coming back to Ranma 1/2, ten, twenty, thirty years later, a little more aware of LGBT issues, and responding to canon by writing AUs where Ranma comes out as transfem in particular.
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I gotta say I adore this comment, it was an incredibly insightful and in truth cathartic read, especially given how aggressive Spacebattles was when the ideas of trans Ranma was floated. Seriously, I am still leery to step foot there after last time and sure as shit wouldn't post any of my works there given the visceral reaction even the general idea got over there.
Anyway, as I said, this post was an awesome read, you do a fantastic job of breaking down everything from how uncomfortable the whole "Embrace your assigned gender & roles gender non conforming characters!" can feel. Along with highlighting Ranma's own canonical behavior as well as the evolution of fandom and culture in general and how that will influence how people can and will engage with a piece of media.
Kudos this was great!
Kind of want to use it for a script for a video if I ever do one on Ranma 1/2 XD
Chloe Sullivan
Subdefective
- Location
- 1630 Revello Drive, Sunnydale CA
Aside from all the other stuff that's been pointed out, even if your read of canon were 100% correct….
To quote… I think Prince Charon (?):
"It's called 'Fanfiction,' not 'slavish-adherence-to-canon-fiction'."
… huh, I probably code as trans by this metric.
Oh, no, am a questionably written manga character?
Ranma 1/2 is a comedy manga and should not be scrutinized too much with the lens of reality. The author made very clear readers should not be examining any of the darker or problematic aspects that could be applied to her manga. Those issues were not brought up. Pregnancy and periods are examples of said issues. That said, if we really wanted to invoke gender dysphoria into the conversation, can we all agree Konatsu identifies as woman? Put aside the gaslighting, psychological and physical abuse; just at the heart of the matter, I think the character would be considered trans at the end of the day. Even if said character wasn't raised for better or worse that way.
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> Ukyo's expression twitched in a way all too similar to her dads if someone implicated something feminine was happening in his presence, "I'm some a homemaker, and look outside."
This needs editing, I am a bit lost as to what is even being said here.
> She tried to deliver a kick to Ryoga's head, but was block by his umbrella, the force made the boys knees quake.
Typo: Blocked.
> "Xian Pu!"
> Akane flung herself into the water, barely registering Ranma and Ryoga leaping over head to save the fallen amazon.
I reiterate: Buddies.
> "Hear ye. hear ye, if you want to know the secret behind Ryoga's curse, then look no further, for I have ten, count-em ten copies of the Jusenkeyo guide, donated by Ranma-Chan herself! Bidding starts at ten thousand Yen!"
So, the whole P-Chan stunt is off the table. Good.
> "OK, Ryoga-Kun, listen up. I didn't run out on our fight, my dad took me away, but!" She said sharply, "I will happily give you the fight you're looking for. Second!" She began counting off on her fingers, "I am sorry for knocking you into the spring of drowned piglet; even if following me to a place called Jusenkyo was abotu as stupid as I've come to expect from you."
Typo: about
> "I want you to answer only one thing for me, Genma."
> He nodded weakly.
> "Where. Is. My. Son?"
An explanation would be desirable, but this may be a poor time for a blunt "You never had one."
This needs editing, I am a bit lost as to what is even being said here.
> She tried to deliver a kick to Ryoga's head, but was block by his umbrella, the force made the boys knees quake.
Typo: Blocked.
> "Xian Pu!"
> Akane flung herself into the water, barely registering Ranma and Ryoga leaping over head to save the fallen amazon.
I reiterate: Buddies.
> "Hear ye. hear ye, if you want to know the secret behind Ryoga's curse, then look no further, for I have ten, count-em ten copies of the Jusenkeyo guide, donated by Ranma-Chan herself! Bidding starts at ten thousand Yen!"
So, the whole P-Chan stunt is off the table. Good.
> "OK, Ryoga-Kun, listen up. I didn't run out on our fight, my dad took me away, but!" She said sharply, "I will happily give you the fight you're looking for. Second!" She began counting off on her fingers, "I am sorry for knocking you into the spring of drowned piglet; even if following me to a place called Jusenkyo was abotu as stupid as I've come to expect from you."
Typo: about
> "I want you to answer only one thing for me, Genma."
> He nodded weakly.
> "Where. Is. My. Son?"
An explanation would be desirable, but this may be a poor time for a blunt "You never had one."
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I get the feeling you were not reading the same stuff on FF.net [and places like RAAC, FFML] that I was in the 90s.
I mean, Genma's life being in danger is one of the first things he brought up when he regained conciousness and Nodoka's in the most recent chapter, though frankly the "My life is in danger" card to argue its not just bigotry feels off to me given he was the dumbass who came up with the contract.
XD XD XDOh, no, am a questionably written manga character?
Sadly having engaged with people on SB and in other spaces its clear we cannot, as the author implied "He's a man who just likes dressing as a woman" one time, allegedly, and so certain strains of people will get very upset if you say otherwise.
Ah sorry, I was trying to convey that Ukyo doesn't like any indication he comes off as feminine which is ironically something he has in common with Genma.
Thanks!
Buddies indeed
I am having a lot of fun with them getting along. Yeah I am soooo much not a fan of that stuff from canon, so if I write anything I try to nix it.
Thanks!
That is brilliant, I love it.
Hm fair enough. I guess I'm just used to fanfics where Konatsu stays dressed up and works for practically nothing at Ukyo's restaurant.
Subrosian_Smithy
endless
- Location
- Washington
- Pronouns
- She/Her/Hers
lmao. Fair cop on the hyperbole, I don't mean to imply too much.
From memory that's more or less canon if I recall, I think the original author was just deeply uncomfortable with the subjects she ended up inadvertently engaging with, but its not really my place to say.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
While this is probably true, I can't read Konatsu as anything other than a trans woman begrudgingly having to say "oh no I'm a guy, I just enjoy this" as lip service to the country's current stance during those few times she doesn't manage to pass flawlessly.
Oh 100% agreed with you there, Konatsu is a trans woman all the way in my mind, I was mostly just noting how some of the outer rung fandom spaces can be unpleasant about the topic and why.
Also, fun and largely off topic aside, you know how Ranma brought up monsters and how there was that whole Oni theme OVA?
I have this longstanding HC that the Hibiki family through at least one line, are descended from an Oni who's mountain was destroyed, thus ensuring their collective directional curse, their spiritual 'home' no longer exists, so subconsciously their mental compass is always spinning out of control. I came up with this idea mostly cos of Ryoga's fangs and cos I like integrating as much of the series various bits of world building as possible.
Chapter 8
Ranma New Half
Chapter 8
What had followed Xian Pu's shameful defeat and honorable rescue was... Confusing to the warrior.
She knew her Japanese was not totally fluent, but even the natives seemed somewhat confused as to what was going on, but perhaps that was their sheer panic.
Still, while Ranma had raced off, grudgingly followed by the brunette, Akane lingered to explain at least a little. Much was still confusing to Xian Pu, save that apparently Ranma's father, the panda oaf, had somehow dishonored the blade wielders family. Thus he was seeking revenge and Ranma either feared his success or his failure, perhaps both.
Akane had raced off afterwards to join the manhunt, promising to be back to visit shortly. Xian Pu however, rose on momentarily shaky legs before planting her feet and forcing her mind to wakefulness. Familiar, sturdy, almost earthy Chi suffusing her being; the lingering signs of her wound faded to a mere dull throb in mere moments.
'I owe her no small debt, perhaps with this, I can begin to repay her, my Ranma.'
She had thrown on her clothes, forcefully dried with Chi and left, ignoring the nurses call to stay she had leapt from the nearest window and began her hunt.
'I was taught to track and trail enemies, if anyone has a chance of finding him, it is I!'
It was nearly two hours later that she found her trail leading to a ruinous series of slim craters that looked to have been carved into the street with giant blades.
Ignoring the crowds, Xian Pu inspected the ruin, tossing aside massive heaps of cement and steel she hissed at the sight of blood in the mangled metal.
'His weapons and the imprint... Yes, it was the Blade Wielder who fell here, not the cursed fool and yet...'
There was no body, and even as strong as the attack was it could not have vaporized one who fought her on equal footing so easily.
Leaping from the crater, Xian Pu bounded around the roof tops in an increasingly wide circle looking for a sign when a familiar voice cried.
"Don't pull on my hair!"
Xian Pu skidded to a halt and saw Ryoga carrying a bloody and near broken Ukyo Kuonji on his back. Some of the brunette's wounds looked tended to and he was tugging on the boy's hair, weakling whispering, "Turn... Left..."
'I have found him, but if he will survive, that is another question,' Xian Pu thought, leaping down to the boy's side, her small first aid kid, thoughtfully restocked by Dr Tofu already on hand and a 'borrowed' cellular phone in the other.
'I must act quickly!'
Ranma was halfway across the city when she heard Ukyo had been found and was being treated at the Tendo Dojo. Like a bolt of lightning she'd launched herself towards the Tendo's home, the ground cracking beneath her first foot falls as she raced to her friends side.
Landing with a sharp clap on stone her shoes went flying as Ranma scrambled into the house and nearly ripped the door of its rail when she burst into the dining room, "Is Uchan OK!?"
Awaiting her were Akane & Kasumi, Xian Pu, Dr Tofu and even Ryoga for some reason, most hovering somewhere in the room; laying in the center was Ukyo, his body wrapped in bandages and stinking of blood, but his barrel chest still rising and falling weakly.
"He'll live, but he won't be fighting for a time," Dr Tofu intoned gravely as he packed his kit.
Ranma just staggered forward and fell to her friends side, Ukyo's dark brown eyes meeting hers for a moment before looking away, shame radiating in his Chi.
"Oh Uchan," She whispered, taking the Shinobi's one none bandaged hand, "I promise I'll get him for this, I'll kill him myself." She spat hotly.
"Ranma-Chan..." Akane whispered, a hand resting on her back.
"D- Don't..." Ukyo whispered, "He has a... Secret Technique..." Ukyo finally looked at her, "It was enough to crush me... In an instant."
Ranma's heart skipped a single fearful beat.
That didn't make sense, her father had taught her everything he knew, she'd beaten him before and yet-
'I'm still useful to him if I'm alive... Uchan's just an enemy he needed to get rid of... That bastard's been playing me for all these years!' A tremor or terror and rage ran through her.
Kasumi's gentle tones drew her back from the brink of... Of something, "The best thing to do right now is stay here where its safe and help your friend recover, I think."
Xian Pu surprisingly cut in, "Agreed, attack was immense, best to strategize and prepare."
Ranma felt a knot in her chest tighten and loosen with every beat of her heart before she slumped to the floor. "I'll wait... I'll freaking wait."
She could see Uchan smile through the bandages, "Good... I'll Explain it... When I... Wake up..." And like that he was out.
Dr Tofu tapped the boy's chest three times, "He won't wake for the world now, not unless he feels threatened at least, but we can continue to speak freely."
Akane patted her back, "You made the right call, Ranma-Chan."
Ranma ran a hand through her hair, "I'd be no good running into a fight this angry anyway." That was when her gaze flickered to Ryoga, "Speaking of... Hibiki-Chan, did you want that Spring Water now?"
Rygoa flushed, using their old umbrella like a shield and squawking, "Why'd that remind you of me, jerk!?"
"Because you fight angry," Xian Pu intoned without a care.
Rygoa's blustering slowed as Ranma rose to her feet, "Just wait here, I'll get you that Spring Water from its hiding spot, K? If you want it that is."
Rygoa stared at her for a very long moment, face burning and half hidden behind umbrella and bangs alike before nodding minutely.
Ranma made to leave but stopped herself, turning around she bowed, "Thanks for helping Uchan, all of you."
She didn't wait for a response and marched deeper into the house and towards the attic. It didn't even take a minute of rummaging to find the aged, red thermos she had stowed the water in and Ranma clutched it to her chest.
'Thanks, for everything,'
She was brought from her thoughts with the sound of Nabiki's foot falls thudding around the house, her voice crying out, "Genma and dad are incoming and they have company!"
Ranma tore her way from the attic with nary a blink, launching herself down the stairs and over Nabiki. She lobbed the thermos at a stunned Ryoga who never the less caught it as Ranma took up a guarding stance between everyone else and the doorway. She was barely aware of Xian Pu readying her blade and standing at her back, or the others guarding Ukyo. She could only watch the door and wait as the sound of foot steps grew closer and finally the door slid open with a near silent click.
Soun looked nervous, her father look sick with terror and both stood behind a woman. She had dark red hair in a short, traditional style, a deep blue patterned kimono, two katana gently wrapped in a cloth and everything about her radiated a sense of serene regality. Their blue eyes met and Ranma found herself frozen in place by that gaze, something strange and familiar but all together different that she couldn't place.
The woman strode up to her, "Name yourself for me, please."
Ranma answered without thinking, "Ranma Saotome."
A single elegant hand reached out and cupped her chin as the woman looked her over, slowly tilting her head from one side to the other, murmuring. "Yes, I can see it, you have your fathers ears, but my mothers hair and our families regal jawline," She cradled Ranma's face in one hand. "Oh my son what has happened to you?"
Ranma lurched back as if stung, "I am no one's son and I sure as hell don't have a living mother!"
The woman's gaze turned cold, an ominous aura radiating around her as she turned her icy gaze on Genma, "You told my son I was dead?" to which he nodded weakly.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Nabiki of all people howled.
Genma nearly crumpled to the floor, "It was, it was necessary Nodoka-Chan, to ensure he would grow strong and fierce and not long for the comforting hug of a mother like some weakling I swear!"
Ranma was used to seeing her father cower but this was... This was extreme even for him. She could barely tell what to do and her gaze snapped to Soun who nodded grimly. "I swear on my honor and the name of my dearly departed wife, this woman is Nodoka Saotome, wife of Genma and mother of Ranma-Kun."
"M... Mother?"
Nodoka's daze snapped back to Ranma, "I wonder then what else he did not tell you of, the contract perhaps?"
"Nodoka-Chan, please!"
"What contract?" Ranma could see Genma practically begging her with his gaze not to ask, but she pressed on, "Why is the old man so scared of you, what's going on?"
Nodoka sighed and slowly revealed two certificates from her kimono sleeve, one marked with Genma's hand writing and the other what looked to be hand prints. "This contract contains a solemn oath taken as martial artists, giving me assurance that taking my only son away from me was necessary for him to become a suitable heir to the Saotome Ryu. A man Among Men."
"So, that's where you got it from old man?" She muttered, as Nodoka slipped the contracts away.
"If you two fail in this path, I am to oversee your ends, as you commit Seppuku to reclaim you honor."
The room fell silent save for Genm's groveling and Ranma felt her stomach fall out from under her, "W- What?"
A chorus of cries rang out, none greater than Kasumi's, "Are you mad, that was your child!?"
Nodoka merely shook her head, eyes glistening, "The path of a martial artist is fraught with peril; but duty to kin, school and honor matter above all else. If the master of the school and clan said it was necessary, then it was necessary, and if honor demands our family line end here, then so be it."
Ranma thought she might die right then and there from Nodoka's words alone burying cold steel in her heart.
She barely heard Genma's begging, "Now, now Nodoka-Chanm remember what I said, Ranma is cursed, cursed! But now that he has been reminded of the contract he will surely have been shocked back into his senses and we can seek a cure and get things back on track!"
'So that's why he brought her here....'
Ranma's entire body quaked, her teeth grinding as she spat out, "You... Sniveling, cowardly piece of shit!"
The whole room lurched back at her cry, but Ranma barely registered it, words spilling from her mouth like flood water from a broken dam. "You really thought you found it hadn't you? A way to force me back into being what you wanted! Did it ever occur to you I might rather die than go back to living as your man amongst men? As your son!?"
Nodoka especially tensed at that, her eyes wide.
Her father growled, "Ranma-"
"Shut up, Genma!" No honorifics, no honor for the man before her. She dragged him up from the floor and roared, "You think you've trapped me? I could marry Uchan tomorrow and make your insane contract null and void if I wanted! I could kill myself and take you down with me, or-"
She threw Genma across the room and out the door, only his skill let him skid to a stop. "Or I could put an end to everything, the contract, the fiancé's and your hold on me!"
Any fear vanished form Genma's face as he marched back towards her, while Nodoka and Soun gasped, "You wouldn't!"
Ranma level a finger at Genma, "As your heir I challenge you for the Saotome Ryu, for the clan and the rank of family head!"
Foot slamming against the wooden floor, Genma rose to his full height, his broad frame near blocking out the light from outside. "To see how that fight ends, boy, you should just look at the Kuonji girl-"
"Stop stalling, accept my challenge or yield!"
She couldn't even make out her fathers eyes behind his glasses, his expression dour. "You understand don't you, that a challenge like this could cost you everything?"
"Better that the alternative, but don't worry, when I win I'll let you surrender, old man."
Genma snorted, his head shaking as Soun threw himself between them, tone plaintive and desperate. "Now, now, there's no need for violence, or swords or any of that! I mean, I mean... You girls saw it did you not? Ranma-Kun just confessed to the curse, clearly we are shaking its hold on him! I am sure if we-"
"We all knew about the Jusenkeyo, daddy," Nabiki said scathingly.
Sound's empty, "What?" was answered by a chorus of voices.
"I did too, dad."
"She's right, father."
"I as well, Tendo-San."
"You didn't ask me, but I knew the moment I saw her."
"Ignorant men, you have no understanding of how curse works, oafs the lot of you."
Soun stared at his family, his physician and the strangers in his house in utter confusion and quiet despair. Ranma thought her mother might be moving to speak, but Genma's tone cut through the air like ice.
"If you aren't willing to surrender when I defeat you son, I will be forced to end you. I cannot let the Saotome line, the school end here, so Nodoka and I will simply have to start again."
"G- genma!" Soun stammered, while her mother just looked between them, her a low gasp escaping her lips.
Ranma scoffed, "You're so afraid of losing even one scrap of control over me aren't you? So terrified of what I could become without you."
Genma's Chi was burning, the air around him rippling with heat, the wood turning to blackened ash beneath his feet. "I will give you twenty four hours to rethink this foolishness, but if you do not... We shall fight at the temple of the Jade Buddha, and I shall put an end to this farce. One way or another, boy."
With that he marched out, Soun following hastily behind him, color drained from his usually tan features.
Ranma's fists didn't uncurl, her entire body was rigid, aflame with tension and unspent energy, as her gaze snapped to her mother.
She met her gaze and in a strange tone murmured, "Whatever form you take... Whatever way you have chosen to live your life... A martial art must be in pursuit of some greater goal. My son, is this battle in service of that goal?"
Ranma steadied herself, she looked back at everyone who had come together to help her in this last week and answered. "As a martial artist and your daughter, it is."
Nodoka tightened her grip on the swords but nodded and without another word, turned and left.
Ryoga was fairly quick to excuse themself from the room after Ranma's confrontation with her father. Unsure on what to say or to feel about the entire sordid matter and seeing Ranma was seeking out Dr Tofu for advice, it was clear they weren't needed.
So Ryoga had taken the kindly Kasumi's directions to the Furo and left, thermos still clutched tightly in his... her, their? Hands; but sadly, they were already lost, as was sadly custom.
'At least I haven't wandered off the Tendo's property yet,' Ryoga thought, looking at the sign that hung at the back of the Tendo's household over their massive welcoming gate. The fanged fighter nearly jumped at the sudden raised voice from the other side of the wall.
"Genma, what madness is this!?" Ryoga heard someone cry.
Ryoga ducked down on instinct, sliding across the path in near total silence to listen in on the men's conversation.
"... To, to kill your own child."
"That thing is not my child, it is a curse, a mockery of my life's work, of our plans Tendo!"
"I... I know, but still."
"Oh calm down old friend, remember, we still have time to collect an item that can fix this mess. Why do you think I gave Ranma that twenty four hour window? The boy's too proud to back down even from a fight he's sure to lose."
"I see, I see, Ranma-Kun will play along while it gives us the time we need, oh Genma, you are as canny as ever, but... Wat if it doesn't work?"
There was a poignant silence.
"Then I will do what I must to defend my clan and school from an accursed pretender."
"... A martial artist life is filled with perils, but this... This is truly terrible."
'Terrible is right! I have to find Ranma-Chan!'
Nodoka's mind was like the ocean on a wind-less day, on the surface it was blank, flat, calm and even perhaps numb. But beneath the surface, waters roiled and currents clashed. A thousand and one creatures danced to death beneath the silent surface and not a one could she make out.
She was barely able to maneuver around the dark haired boy who was practically the picture of how she expected Ranma to grow up, racing by her.
"Saotome, where are you!?"
Nodoka slowed her stride at the too high pitched, "In here" that drew the boy towards the very room she had so recently left... Eventually.
'That boy, he seemed calm when I was leaving, what has changed?'
Nodoka knew it was not ladylike to pry, but this was... This was personal. So she stilled her racing heart and pressed down her breathing, practically erasing her presence as she slipped into a side room and placed her ear to the wall.
"Ranma-Chan, your dad has a scheme to use some magical item to turn you back."
"He what!?"
'He what!?'
A rougher voice cut in, wheezing, "He was... He was buying something like that... When I ambushed... Him... I broke it... There could be more..."
"Mhm" The fanged boy intoned. "I heard him discussing it with Tendo-San, its why he gave you the twenty four hours, they have to go and collect it."
She heard a fist slam into the ground, "Meaning this entire fight is just one big ambush to him!" She could practically hear Ranma shaking her head, "That's good to know, thanks Hibiki-Chan."
'Chan?' Nodoka shook off the oddness quickly.
"Ranma-Chan," Tendo's middle daughter said smoothly, "Does this change anything?"
"It means I'll have to be more careful of traps I guess, but beyond that not sure what I can do to prepare."
"Well," Soun's youngest said, "That means he won't try to kill you at least?" She ventured weakly.
Nodoka could hear the gulp and felt her stomach drop at the next words, "No, I heard that too, if this plan doesn't work, he will kill her."
"I can't believe that man!" Akane cried.
"A man? No, he's a monster," Kasumi said quietly, seething.
She could hear someone clapping their hands, "Much as I agree, this doesn't help Ranma-Chan. What we need is to figure out how to stop Genma's magical trick, and somehow beat him in a fight."
"I Can... Explain his technique..."
"And as I said, Ranma-Chan, I am happy to help you prepare before-hand," Added the doctor.
"Perfect, then we have a way for me to fight him and win set, now... Now I just need to figure out the magic side of things."
The conversation was interrupted by a sharp voice, tinged with a foreign and unfamiliar accent. "There are few items that can counter Jusenkyo, especially here, but Great Grandmother knew of one, a legendary kettle. If nothing more, it may force even twice locked victim back to a normal curse."
"Dammit, I don't want that, but I could at least go back to China and take another dip I guess."
The foreigner hummed, "You have bathed in blessed waters twice yes?" There was a moment before she continued. "Imbibe the water, take it thrice. Leave nothing of the old self behind, no old Chi, no old form, only the new." There was a moment of silence, before several stunned gasps rang out, "Why shake your head, is a good idea!"
"I gave that water to Hibiki-Chan, I ain't taking it back just for me."
"But you need it more," Nabiki groused.
"Don't agree and even if I did I don't care, its not honorable to go back on one's word."
"You'd... Do that for me?" Intoned the... Child, sounding very quiet and unsure.
Nodoka could practically hear Ranma's shrug, "It was my fault you were cursed and I promised you the water. Whatever anyone else says, I don't go back on my word."
"... Then, I want you to have it!"
There was a sound of metal slapping against skin, as Ranma presumably caught the thermos Nodoka had seen the Hibiki child carrying.
"I can't take it, I gave it to ya!"
The thermos whistled through the air again.
"Don't throw it at me, and listen you stubborn fool, I'm telling you I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you lost who you are now just to do right by me!"
"I can always go back to the Springs, you can't!"
"Screw you, I can totally find my way to them!"
"We know that's a lie!"
"Well what if you die, what then idiot!?"
"I'll figure it out-"
"Ah! Nabiki Nee-Chan!"
"Why did you hit me too?!"
"You're shouting was hurting my ears," Intoned the girl, the rippling sound of water splashing inside a thermos accompanying her words as she likely waved it about.
Akane was quick to cut in, "Ranma-Chan, you said Chi can be messed up by mood and even body, right?"
"Well... Yeah, using my Chi's been way easier since I changed."
"Then I further insist!" Ryoga shouted.
"She makes a good point," Kasumi added.
"Indeed, a warriors focus cannot be parted in battle!"
"Genma's a cheating bastard Ran-Chan... He probably wants to use it to throw you off... So he can get an easy win."
"I concur with everyone here, Ranma-Chan," added the doctor. "if it really does mar your honor, you will at least be alive to fix it."
Nodoka heard palms slap against wood as Ryoga cried out, "Take the water, please. My honor wouldn't be able to stand it if you refuse!"
"... OK fine, but I insist on paying you back later."
Nabiki sighed, "Lets focus on getting you to next week alive, OK, Ranma-Chan."
Nodoka pulled away and slipped out of the room, making for the gates, hands gripping the katana so tight they nearly snapped in her hands.
NOTES:
Hi again, I hope you all enjoyed this one!
Dr Tofu became way more important to this story than I expected, plus I just really enjoy having everyone hanging around together; also yes Nabiki was on watch in case Genma came by. Ryoga is still very unsure about personal pronouns. The Eavesdropping scene was a big hassle to rewrite, but I hope it read well as its a bit odd. Also if you are wondering about the challenge, well in canon Ranma challenged Genma for leadership over something petty and Genma also almost replaced Ranma over something even more petty. I'm not sure of the legality surrounding Seppeku contracts, but given what we've seen of the series, along with just how angry Ranma was, I felt it worked.
Writing Nodoka's incredibly hard, I didn't wanna just handwave away all her toxic traits from canon & have her be super chill, but I also didn't want her to just be a screaming sword waving twit, I hope I found a good balance here. I actually had a totally different version of this Genma confrontation & the next one written but they were half done and got like 90% rewritten during editing XD Nodoka's speech about greater purpose was borrowed from the Ryu Kumon manga, I really liked it.
One thing that I think distinguishes Genma's shit parenting from Nodoka's is that Genma very much treats Ranma as a tool. That is to say, while Nodoka's ideas might be dangerous or toxic, she at least seems to think they will be for the best of Ranma, while Genma views what's best for him as best for Ranma. Hence her referencing his desire to retain control of her; he can't stand Ranma exercising real agency, can't risk losing everything.
Also, leaning into reminding folks that while Genma can be a simpering coward, he's also a deadly martial artist who can bring that to the forefront when pushed in just the right way. Also I worked in that scene someone suggested of Soun & Genma providing 'proof' and being shrugged off, so glad I could work it in XD
Fun fact, despite canon Ranma occasionally claiming to be "weaker but faster" in 'cursed mode' we never actually see any sign of weakness, by all accounts Ranma seems to hit just as hard in either form and in many cases seems to sometimes perform better when transformed. This is contrasted against Herb who did get noticeably stronger and more skilled after regaining his birth body. Thus I lean into the idea her Chi was normally disrupted by being in AMAB mode but got smoother and easier to use in Cursed Mode, hence also why Ranma-Chan wrecked Genma's shit in the first chapter, Genma didn't expect her to be that fast or strong.
Next chapter, the climax and then falling action/epilogue, I hope you all enjoyed!
- Location
- Elsewhere
I vaguely recall Konatsu
I vaguely recall something about Seppuku being illegal.
Specifically.
Part of the transition away from Samurai culture.
It's not exactly something you can punish min most cases, but I believe it is on the books.
I vaguely recall something about Seppuku being illegal.
Specifically.
Part of the transition away from Samurai culture.
It's not exactly something you can punish min most cases, but I believe it is on the books.
Ah sorry I meant within the context of the Ranma 1/2 universe, as I tend to assume while its history was overall similar, I also include several adaptions to accommodate the inclusion of super powered martial artists.
This is why Ranma references stuff like her 'community' having a bit more leeway with eccentricities, and why Ukyo killing Genma would strictly be a legal problem for him provided no civilians or uninvolved parties got hurt in the crossfire. It also plays into the Amazons and that whole area being left the hell alone by the CCP and ties into stuff like there being an active magical community and why no legal forces interfere in fights.
Thus in this context I was more musing on the internal clan law regarding the Seppuku contract and whether or not Ranma taking over the School & Clan would be considered an acceptable means of annulling it.