Clothes Make The... 

Chapter One: 

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Kunou Tatewaki, Kunou Kodachi, Tofu Ono Sensei, and Hinako
Ninomiya Sensei are copyright 1987, 1997 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Publishing rights:

Japan:              Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:          Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:      Viz Inc.

By Nicholas Leifker and Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ranma was lying down on his futon fuming to himself. 
	Not that this was all that unusual given the number of fiancees,
vendetta's threats, and other situations that he usually found himself
buried in, but lying quietly was not something he did all that well.  If
anything, Ranma was actually very anxious, anticipating having the house
virtually to himself.  It would be a dream come true in a way. 
	He was closing his eyes, ready to give up when a shout broke
through his reverie.
	"See ya later!"  Akane's cry echoed through the house, causing
Ranma's ears to perk up.
	"Take care, you two.  And have a nice time!"  Kasumi wished her
sisters good- bye, and returned to the house...all under the watchful eye
of one very nervous young man.
	Ranma had been waiting for this night for weeks.  The other men of
the household had already left, gone out for a long night of drinking (and
panty-thieving).  His mother was gone for a couple of days, taking care of
some very special family business in another part of Tokyo.  Of the girls,
Akane and Nabiki had just gone to stay the night with friends, and
Kasumi...well, Kasumi usually just went to her room at night, read a book,
and turned in early.  Licking his lips in anticipation and nervousness, he
waited...Ranma could afford to be patient, and in this case had to be.  He
looked outside to the hallway, where Kasumi made her rounds.
	"Hello, Ranma-kun.  What are you going to do tonight?"  Her cheery
smile beamed to the young martial artist.  He shrugged, in an attempt to
look casual. 
	"Oh...I'm kinda tired, so I figured I'd turn in.  And you?" 
	She held up a book in her hand.  "Tofu-Sensei let me borrow this
book, so I'll be busy tonight.  Goodnight, Ranma-kun." 
	"Goodnight, Kasumi."  He watched as she opened the door to her
room, and slipped inside. 
	Now...now he was free. 
	Ranma first stripped off his clothes quickly, as though the
garments were burning his skin.  Next...the glass of cold water, the
instrument of his change, came pouring over his head, causing her to come
alive.  She ripped open a wall panel, and pulled out the stash that was
inside.  If they knew about this... 
	The clothes Ranma pulled out were like nothing she had worn
before...at least, not 100% willingly.  Her blue eyes dazzled as she
beheld the forbidden objects, fear and desire nearly overwhelming her.
	The panties came on first, black lace and silk that felt so cool
against her hot skin.  Next...the matching bra, a beautiful object that
felt a little tight around her chest...but would have to do.  She put on
the garther belt, then indulged herself in the feel of the light fabric,
taking time to put on the black stockings.  Ranma untied her pigtail, and
let the scarlet locks flow about her.  She took a look in the mirror, a
strange mix of emotions rising in her at the sight.
	The creature on the other side was by no means the man Ranma had
been born, nor the martial artist she was raised to be.  If Ranma were
still a man at the moment...she would have taken his breath away.  The
lingerie hugged her curves tightly, leaving just enough to the imagination
- but not much more.  The hair that flowed to her shoulders framed her
face just so, leaving her looking seductive...dangerous...sexy.  If
Happousai could see her now...she continued posing in front of the mirror,
allowing herself to forget the guilt and fear...and be mesmerized in
herself. 
	"Ranma-kun, I thought you-" 
	The door to her room slid open, something that Ranma had not
expected and planned on.  She turned to the door just in time to see
Kasumi standing there, mouth agape, her face a strange mix of
surprise...and slight disappointment.  Ranma's face turned several shades
of crimson.  Strangely, she felt no shame...only guilt.  Kasumi relaxed
her shoulders, and smiled gently.
	"Ranma-chan, I'll be back in a moment."  Ranma sat down on the
futon and pulled her dark-stockinged legs to her chest, waiting for the
judgment from this kind soul.  She had feared this was going to
happen...but there was no fighting it now.  Ranma just hoped this wouldn't
cause too much friction within the family. 
	A couple of minutes later, the door slid open again, and Kasumi's
footsteps come towards her.  She kept her eyes closed, waiting for the
inevitable.  Instead, Kasumi laid a small bundle of clothing on the floor,
and walked back to the door.  "Ranma-chan, if you want to talk, I'll be in
my room."  She slid the door closed once more. 
	Stunned, Ranma picked up the bundle, eyes wide in curiosity. 
Kasumi had brought in a beautiful black silk-and-lace blouse of Akane's,
as well as a checkered skirt.  Unsure of what to do, she held the garments
in her hand, weighing them as though wearing them would be a
point-of-no-return.
	After a couple minutes of this, her features hardened, into a
near-masculine parody of her former self.  Ranma picked herself up and
determinedly put the clothes on, tired of hiding this side of herself for
so long.  She took a last look in the mirror to check her features, and
went to Kasumi's room.
	The eldest daughter of the Tendo clan sat patiently on her bed.
Though her expression seemed as neutral as ever, there was a touch of
strain in her features.  She looked at Ranma carefully, noting the beauty
of this former man.
	"Would you care to sit down, Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi offered her hand
over to an empty chair.  Ranma knew better than to argue...a suggestion
like that held the force of command.  She sat down and crossed her legs
demurely, as she saw women do plenty of times.  The new woman sighed,
trying to come up with words to explain her actions.
	"Kasumi..." 
	"Yes, Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi spoke innocently, though making sure
the child heard the feminine suffix.
	"Kasumi...I know this looks pretty bad...but please let me
explain."
	The woman's smile broadened.  "Oh, there's no need for you to
explain, Ranma-chan.  I understand."
	The redhead's eyebrows shot up, incredulous.  "Do you?" 
	Kasumi's face fell.  "Truth to tell...no.  I don't think I ever
could...then again, I can't change like you can."
	Ranma took a deep breath, letting the bra cut deeper into her
chest. "I...When I first found myself...changed, it was the most
frightening day of my life...up until a few months ago.  Up until that
point, my life, my future, everything seemed so clear to me.  I would grow
up, become a martial arts teacher, marry some girl, and raise a family."
	"All of that disappeared the moment I hit the water.  When...when
my body became an uncertain thing, so did all of that.  I was angry at Pop
for taking that future away from me, but I was also afraid...afraid that I
would like being a girl."
	"Do you?" 
	Ranma looked confused for a moment.  "I...I'll get back to that.
During the first month of my curse, there was no problems.  I was running
far too much to worry about it, and I didn't have time to think about
being a girl or a guy or anything like that.  A crazy Amazon chasing after
you will do that to you."
	She sighed.  "All of this changed the moment I came here.  I
wasn't running anymore; I had a home.  I could relax, and actually feel
what it was like to be a human being, rather than a migratory animal,
always on the run." 
	"Despite this new freedom, I still was bound and determined not to
act like a girl, that I would never wear a dress or anything like that.
Unfortunately, fate...fate wanted me this way, I guess."
	Ranma's eyes turned slightly accusatory.  "Less than two weeks
after I arrived, someone decided that, since all of my clothes were in the
wash, that I had to wear girls' clothes for the time being.  I...I put on
the cute little shirt and overalls...and felt guilty for it.  But, I just
had to do it, 'cause someone said I was eating them out of house and
home." Her anger relaxed.  "I never quite forgave Nabiki for that."
	"Well, after that, I drew another line into the sand.  I vowed
that I would never wear women's underwear, no matter what.  That one I
actually kept for awhile...after all, people rarely see what kind of
underwear you have on, right?"
	"That lasted until Happousai made me...weak.  All of a sudden, I
was helpless, as frail as a...as a girl.  That humiliation...knowing a
small child could beat the stuffing out of me...in a way, it steeled me
for what was to come.  I had been taught the 'Hiryuu Shouten Ha', but
couldn't lure Happousai into attacking me to perform it.  I tried almost
everything...and nothing had worked."
	"That night, I crept into Nabiki's room, and talked with her. 
Even now I can taste the bile in my throat from what I was saying.  I
asked her - ASKED HER - to take pictures of me wearing lingerie.  I still
remember the feelings I had as I put that first nighty on...fear,
mainly...revulsion...but something else, too.  There was a tiny amount of
pleasure...of anticipation...to finally become something other than what I
was.  I didn't realize what it was at the time...but it was there.  I
quickly went through the photo shoot and got the pictures, and went into
the fight with the old leach." 
	The redhead shrugged.  "It probably would have ended there...if it
weren't for all the other things to come.  Picolet was probably the bit
that pushed me over the edge.  I was locked, quite literally, as a girl,
due to that damn corset they made me wear.  To top it off, I had to act
ladylike for all the guests of the house.  I...I really started to slip,
then.  I was losing it.  Then came other things...Pantsuto
Taro...Mom...Herb..."
	"About a week or two after the Herb incident, Hinako-sensei came
into town, and I was willing to do about anything to foil her technique. 
I..." Tears started to roll down the redhead's cheeks.  "I put on the
girls' gym shorts and top...and looked in the mirror.  I...I looked
beautiful.  I felt good, I looked good...it took me a minute to realize
what I was thinking.  When I did...it took an hour to keep from shaking."
	The blue eyes raised to meet Kasumi's brown ones.  "That was the
worst day of my life.  In that moment, I realized that all my struggles,
all my fighting...wasn't working.  A good portion of who I was died that
day."
	Ranma straightened back up, and fixed the placement of her skirt. 
"The descent was a slow one from there...but it was a painful one.  First
came the occasional offers to Nabiki for photo shoots.  I only did it when
I needed the money...but I didn't only do it for the money.  I...I think
she suspects, but she isn't sure.  Then the occasional 'shopping trips' to
buy this swimsuit or that lingerie set....all done at places Akane doesn't
normally shop, so that she wouldn't know.  One time Kunou spotted me, but
he doesn't count.  Tonight...tonight was the first night I tried it on my
own."
	"Really?"  Kasumi seemed surprised at this news. 
	Ranma nodded her head.  "Really." 
	"And how did you feel?" 
	Ranma stood up, and started sobbing into Kasumi's chest.  "IT...IT
FELT WONDERFUL!  I LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL...AND...AND FEMININE...AND...."
	"And it hurt, because you knew how disappointed your family would
be," Kasumi said, without smiling.
	"Uh-huh..."  Ranma continued sobbing.  Kasumi brought her chin up,
and tried to dry her eyes.  She moved Ranma's head around, a glint forming
in her brown eyes.
	"Tell you what, Ranma-chan...let's do something about that face of
yours.  You've never learned how to do makeup, right?" 
	The look on Ranma's face was of sheer disbelief.  "Are...are you
sure?  I mean...what if..."
	"The men won't be home for hours, and Akane and Nabiki won't be
home until dawn.  It'll be just us girls until then, okay?"
	Ranma stiffened at the feminine classification, then smiled. 
"Okay."  She sat down in the chair, anxiously waiting for Kasumi to begin.
The elder girl brought out her makeup kit, and started applying base to
Ranma's face.
	"Ranma-chan...I hope you don't mind if I ask a few
questions...First of all, how do you feel about Akane?"
	The redhead winced as if struck.  "Akane?  I...I love her.  I wish
I knew what to do...I like girls, and always will, but...but I also want
to be one sometimes.  I know it sounds crazy, but..."
	"Not necessarily.  Who you are and who you love don't necessarily
match, you know."  She finished the base, applied a hint of blush to the
cheeks, and started on the lips.
	"Ranma...I have to know this.  Are you a girl or a guy?" 
	Ranma waited for Kasumi to finish with the lip liner, then spoke,
her lips pouty from the makeup.  "Honestly...I wish I knew..  I don't
exactly look like a guy anymore, do I?  But...still...I've never really
lived as a girl.  I wish I knew what it was like...Right now I'm a guy in
a dress, I guess."
	"Ranma-chan, put your eyes like...this."  Kasumi exposed as much
of her eyelids as possible, to demonstrate for Ranma to do the same.  The
girl complied, allowing Kasumi to put shadow on them.
	"Ranma...I've been thinking.  Right now you have these ideas about
what it would be like to be treated as a girl, but don't know what it's
really like, right?"  She carefully brushed Ranma's eyelids.
	"Yeah...Are you saying you know a way that I could?  This had
better not be a permanent thing..."
	The housewoman went to her jewelry box and picked out a pair of
gold clip-on earrings.  "No, it's not permanent, not unless you want it to
be.  However, you will have to act the part at all times while it's going
on." She put the earrings on the girl, and turned her to face the mirror. 
"Not bad, huh?"
	The teenager's eyes sparkled.  "Thanks, Kasumi...I...I look...I
look stunning."  She turned back to her friend, gave her a big hug, and
looked her in the eye.  "I really appreciate this.  Not just the clothing
and the make-up, but also for giving me a chance to talk about my
feelings. I...I don't really get much of a chance to do so, and it feels
as though a huge weight has been lifted."  Ranma smiled a bit, "Now...what
do I need to do?"
	A sly, mischievous grin crept up on Kasumi's face.  "Well..." 

***

	Morning. 
	It was an unusually quiet one in the Tendo house as Genma had been
too tired and hung over to want to spar with Ranma.  The drinking
expedition had turned into a 'get rid of Happousai any way we can' night,
and the two aging martial artist had managed to ship the old hentai off to
another part of the country.  Luckily for them, the Master had been too
drunk to notice what they were doing to him.
	This allowed Ranma to get up later than usual, fortunate as the
previous night had not been what he'd expected; he still wasn't used to
letting his true emotions show.  The breakfast call from Kasumi echoed in
his ears, calling him from his slumber, as well as bringing the plan
Kasumi and he had come up with to mind. With a strange anticipation, he
dressed in his usual Chinese outfit, and headed down to the table.
	As expected, the family was there, all...looking at...the dinner
table.  Breakfast was there...but the consistency and look of it suggested
that the morning's chef was not Kasumi.  All of them, especially Akane,
waited expectantly for him, as fiance, to take the first bite.  He sat
down, forced the sludge into his mouth...and winced involuntarily. 
	"Ugh!  What'd you do this time, Akane?  Rob a toxic waste dump?" 
	The tomboy's eyes showed hurt - but only for a moment.  Red anger
flared as Akane brought out a frying pan.  "I...worked for an hour on that
breakfast, Ranma...and all you can do is insult it?  Die, you idiot!"  She
started swinging for her fiance with all the fury she could muster.
	Ranma dodged the first couple of blows, purposefully leading her
out into the backyard...and the fish pond.  He waited until he was in just
the right position...then let her hit him, sending him flying into the
pond.
	Now all she had to do was wait...and act. 

***

	Akane fumed to herself.  She knew she wasn't the best at cooking,
but she did think that Ranma could be a little more considerate.  After
all, she had tried her best.  Unfortunately, her best was only a little
better than eating live scorpions.  Of course, you had a better chance of
survival if you ate the scorpions. 
	Kasumi looked out into the yard.  Everything was going as planned
and she would be able to let Ranma be him...herself for a while.  It would
give the child a chance to really come to terms with herself, and who she
actually wanted to be.  "Akane, I think you better get Ranma.  She hasn't
come out of the pond as of yet."
	The youngest Tendo turned to the water.  Realizing that Ranma
hadn't come up sprouting her usual cold-water comments, she ran to the
pond to investigate.  Looking down, Akane noticed that her fiance seemed
to be out cold, and that she would need some rescuing. As she grabbed her
arm and pulled the redhead out, Akane couldn't help saying, "He knocks
himself out and then expects me to rescue him. Typical."
	It took all of Ranma's willpower not to react to that statement. 

***

	It was ten minutes later and Ranma slowly 'awoke' from her
enforced slumber by her angered fiancee.  Sitting up and holding her head
slightly, she said, "Why'd you do that?  Just because you can't cook as
well as I can wasn't any reason to hit me that hard.  If you'd practice
cooking as much as you do the Art, you'd be competent, you know!"
	Akane just sat down, a little stunned.  That was not the reaction
she had been expecting out of Ranma.  There was nothing in the words
themselves, or the angry way she said it that was out of place, but Akane
couldn't help feeling that something was out of place.  Still, as long as
Ranma was feeling better, it was time to let him know who was in the
right.  "Well, what do you expect for insulting me like that!"
	Ranma only reply was a 'Humph' as she went upstairs to change her
clothes.  As planned, she waited a few minutes before calling downstairs,
"Uh Kasumi?  Do you happen to know where some clean clothes are?"
	Kasumi had been waiting for this and went upstairs, "Oh dear.  I'm
sure I cleaned at least a couple of suits for you.  Here, let me check." 
	Genma looked at Soun as they both started to consider ways to try
and get their children together.  This latest cooking episode was going to
be hard to get over, especially since Ranma was quite correct about the
taste of the food.  If anything, toxic waste would seem to be more edible
than the concoction that sat before the family.
	How they were ever going to get the two recalcitrant teenagers to
admit their love for each other, much less marry, was going to be a huge
effort in and of itself.
	Nabiki only looked on with amusement as her younger sister fumed
over another culinary disaster.  If her little sister hadn't learned by
now that she should stay out of the kitchen, then probably nothing would
teach her.  Nabiki sighed and shook her head.  Ranma was her future
brother-in-law, and she shouldn't really be laughing about this.  In fact,
the young man should be commended for even attempting to try it to appease
Akane.  Heavens knew how Ranma stayed out of a hospital ward.
	As for Akane, the aforementioned cook, she was sitting and waiting
for Ranma so that they could head to school together.  Although she always
said that she hated the 'hentai', the truth was that she loved him, even
with the curse.  It was pride that was keeping them apart;  the curse and
all of its possible consequences she could live with.  Hearing a sound,
Akane turned and looked for her 'idiot fiancee', and then gasped at what
she saw.
	The sound caused everyone else to turn to the hallway where they
noticed that Ranma and Kasumi had come back out.
	Ranma was wearing a Furinkan high school uniform, the same one she
had worn on other occasions, and had applied a little bit of make-up to
her face.  Her hair, which had always been put up in a pig-tail, even
after the fact that it no longer needed to be bound by the dragon hair,
was in a neat, prim, and pretty hairstyle.  It was somewhat unnerving to
the family.
	Akane's reaction was predictable.  "What do you think you're
doing?"
	Ranma frowned, a little bit pouty, "I though it was time I had a
new hairstyle.  This is a lot better than the pig-tail I was wearing."
	There it was, that statement combined with what Ranma was doing
rang alarm bells inside Akane's head.  Something was definitely wrong. 
"No, I mean why are you wearing a dress?  You're a boy!" 
	At that Ranma looked at her fiancee as though she had no idea what
the black haired girl was talking about.  "Akane, you know as well as I do
that my boy form is a curse.  I'm just lucky that it's only activated by
hot water." 
	Except for Kasumi, who had obviously helped Ranma, the rest of the
family stared at her in shock.

***