Clothes Make The... 

Chapter Four: 

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

By Nicholas Leifker and Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ukyou came out of the school, looking at the fuming Ranma and the
frustrated Akane.  Something was obviously wrong... Ranma seemed to be
sulking, her arms crossed in front of her.  "What happened?  Why are you
two in a bad mood?" 
	Akane answered as Ranma continued to mumble to herself.  "That
idiot Kunou came on to us again, and he also said he couldn't believe
Ranma when she told him she was a lesbian.  She told him straight out that
both of her forms were her, and then punted him away.  I should have been
faster." 
	Ranma had finally finished cursing under her breath and calmed
herself down.  "It's OK now.  Although he is crazy.  I do happen to have a
question about what he said however." 
	Akane looked at her, "What's bothering you about that?  He was
just spouting off his usual nonsense." 
	The redhead turned to look at Akane, a curious and interested look
on her face.  "He said that you wanted to marry me.  Is that true Akane? 
Do you really like me that much?" 
	Ukyou's eyebrows shot up. *Oh great!  We forgot about Kunou and
his big mouth, not that it could really be kept a secret from her for
long.  Masaka!  How are we going to get out of this one?*
	Akane looked distinctly uncomfortable as she answered, "Well, it
started back when your father told mine that a boy was coming here to get
engaged to either Nabiki, Kasumi, or me.  The family sort of agreed we'd
be engaged since I already told everyone that I didn't like boys." 
	Ranma shook her head, "I remember that Akane.  You were angry when
you found out about my male form.  We only became friends after I managed
to explain everything to you.  Tell me what he's talking about now,
however." 
	Ukyou came to Akane's rescue, although not in the way the short
black haired girl would have expected.  "Well, remember how we told you in
class we were undecided?" 
	Ranma looked over at Ukyou.  "Yeah?" 
	Ukyou continued, "Well, the reason we're undecided is that we both
like you sort of, but we're unsure about your feelings.  After all, none
of us have ever dated one another, and you do happen to have a male form." 
She laughed nervously, "Perhaps Akane and I should ask you to go on dates
with the two of us on alternating nights or weekends, just to see how it
is." 
	Ranma's eyes opened wide, excitement clearly showing on her face,
"You mean it?  The two of you will take me out on dates?" 
	To the absolute horror of the two girls, Ranma shouted "Yatta!"
and proceeded to give each of them a quick, exultant kiss.  The freed girl
ran down the street, giggling with delight. 

***

	Kunou was sitting in a tree, not too far away from the school. 
While Ranma's kick had lacked none of it's usual force, she had not been
paying attention to where she had been aiming.  His brain, already
overloading from information, was shorting out as he observed his scarlet
haired beauty, as she kissed both Akane and the boy Ukyou happily.  He
started to mutter, "Her name is Ranma Saotome...She doesn't like
boys...She loves Akane..." 
	Since his mind couldn't accept there being anyone else in the
center of his two loves universe, he came to the obvious conclusion. 
Well, obvious for him really.  "Saotome, you sorcerer!  What have you done
to so corrupt these youthful beauties into believing these lies about
themselves and me, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School.  I shall
avenge myself and them and force you to remove your foul spell!" 
	Unnoticed by him was a small white cat with a purple mane and
wearing hair elastics.  Shampoo had heard what Ranma had shouted.  She
also observed the kisses and the manner in which Ranma had conducted
herself afterwards, except she had reached a different conclusion from the
kendoist.  *So, violent tomboy and spatula girl have enchanted Ranma in
some manner so that he only thinks of them have they?  I will find out
what spell they used, and then I shall rescue my airen.  There is no way I
am going to let those two twist Ranma so that he doesn't love me!" 
	As Kunou raved, the cat leapt down from the tree and went home to
find some hot water and another suit of clothes. 

***

	When Ranma arrived home, she was greeted with enthusiasm by her
mother.  "Welcome home, dear.  Why don't you go get washed up and then
we'll make supper?" 
	Ranma smiled as her mother fussed over her.  She hadn't admitted
it to herself then, but she really enjoyed how mom had made a big deal out
of things when she had been 'Ranko.' To be able to spend time with her
mother as herself (and enjoy it) was so much better than worrying about
ending up committing seppuku.  "Mom?  I was wondering if we could go
shopping after supper with Akane and Ucchan.  Would that be OK?" 
	Nodoka smiled, glad to see her child was happy even if she had
lost the memory of who she had been.  Her son was still there, somewhere
within this young girl, but there was also someone there that she had
missed spending time with.  Whenever she had visited the Tendo household,
she had always felt close to Ranko, the somewhat uncontrollable tomboy who
was always so happy to see her.  Always wondering where Ranma was, Ranko
had come to seem like her own daughter, especially after she started to
think of both of them together in her mind.  Little did she know at the
time that the red-headed girl was her own child. 
	To have her daughter back again was something she had hoped and
wished for, but could not say out loud, not wanting to cause trouble for
her child.  "That would be lovely, Ranma-chan.  But go take your bath now,
and I'll lay out some clothes for you to wear." 
	Ranma rushed up and hugged her mother, very happy with how things
were going, and then went off for her bath. 
	Akane looked up at her aunt, afraid of what she might see or hear
in the older woman's voice for what she had done to her son.  Of all of
them, Nodoka had the most to lose since she hadn't seen her child in so
long.  There were still uncomfortable silences between mother and sont at
times, as they still had trouble getting a handle on their rather unique
relationship.  Despite how much she wanted to do so, there was no sense in
putting it off, however..."Are...are you all right, Auntie Saotome?"
	Nodoka smiled at the two of them.  "Yes Akane-chan.  What happened
this morning was karma, and not really anyone's fault."  Her smile
widened.  "You know, in a way I'm glad it happened.  It gives me some time
to spend with my daughter, and possibly a way to recover the closeness of
the relationship we lost when I discovered the truth." 
	She gestured at the table, "So how did things go at school today? 
Did my daughter meet any handsome young men?" 
	At that, Ukyou and Akane started to giggle, and then broke out
laughing as they started to explain everything that happened and what
Ranma said about who she liked. 

***

	Ranma smiled as she walked through the spacious mall, her heart
singing at the possibilities to come. Things had gone very well after her
bath, and her mother had shown her several makeup tricks to make herself
look better.  Her comments about Ranma finally becoming a young lady made
the redhead's heart leap for joy.  If there was one person that she wanted
help and approval from, especially with this 'forbidden' side of her
being, it was her mother. 
	She thought back to what was going on, and took a quick glance at
Akane and Ukyou, who were still staring at her in amazement. 
	After their baths, Akane had chosen a rather nice brown skirt and
white blouse combination while Ukyou had put back on her school uniform. 
It was Ranma's outfit that was the surprising part to them.  It also made
them a little sick at how sugary sweet it was. 
	Ranma and her mother, after some discussion, had brought out one
of her more feminine, wide-skirted dresses, a deep maroon outfit trimmed
in lace.  It was one of the nicer ones in Ranma's limited collection, but
extremely cute as well.  Her mother had helped in that image by giving her
some white stockings to wear with it, as well as a pair of black patent
flats.  The makeup they had applied had completed the transformation,
granting the young woman astounding beauty. 
	Ranma had eye shadow, blush, lipstick, and mascara on, and her
mother had also applied eyeliner and lip liner as well.  It was an amazing
effect, highlighting areas in such a way it made her school makeup pale in
comparison.  To say that she was now extremely feminine would be quite an
understatement. 
	The group strolled into one of the clothing stores, though all
eyes turned to the 'new woman' in the group.  Ranma looked around at the
store, her eyes glazed over as though she viewed heaven.  She took a deep
breath, allowing herself to calm down...but only a bit.  This had been
what she wanted, to live and be treated as a woman, and the representation
of things womanly was now spread out before her like a banquet.
	And, like anyone hungry, she went into the feast. 
	The two teenagers watching over the girl rolled their eyes, not
believing the spectacle before them.  Ranma bounced from rack to rack,
eyes dazzling at the sheer beauty of the garments before them.  She looked
at the collection of dresses, blouses, and other garments, eagerly picking
up several of them to see how they'd look on her, and trying on a few for
fit and look.  She was in heaven; for perhaps the first time in her life,
Ranma actually _felt_ like a woman, rather than a man or some person or
being in- between.  At that moment, she didn't give a damn about who she
was before, only who she was at the moment, and who she could be.  In a
strange way, it was terrifying, but exhilarating; she was losing himself,
but she didn't care.
	True to form, it couldn't last. 
   	Shampoo had managed to catch sight of them as they had boarded the bus
for the mall, becoming more concerned when Ranma's mother, who she knew
would hold him to the agreement of killing himself, was willingly going
along with how Ranma was acting.  For the matriarch of the Saotome family
to react in such a way told her that the two girls who were her
competition for Ranma, had gotten to the older woman as well.  The Amazon
waited until Ranma went back into one of the changing rooms, slipped in,
and attacked.
	Quickly shampooing Ranma's hair with Formula 119 and restyling
Ranma's pig-tail, she expected a rush of gratitude from her airen, as well
as disgust at what Ranma was wearing.  Much to the Amazon's surprise,
Ranma turned back to her, fire clear as sight in her eyes.
	Ranma had actually noticed Shampoo trailing along behind them
sometime earlier, and was expecting the attack.  Indeed, she had arranged
herself at this place for just such a purpose.  "Shampoo, can't you take a
hint?  I told you I don't like what you're doing, and I don't care if you
think I'm a man.  I am a woman, and despite liking other women I'm not
going to marry you!  Don't you dare try to brainwash me again!" 
	Turning to the full-length mirror, she put her hand to her hair.
The growl in her voice broadcast her frustrations, and let the warrior
know her offense.  "Do you know how long it took me to style my hair?  And
you ruined it in a few seconds with that shampoo of yours." 
	Turning back angrily, she said in a low, menacing voice that
brooked no contradictions, "If you ever try that again, it won't be me who
gets killed over your village honour...but you." 
	She then held Shampoo's chin and kissed her on the cheek. 
	Shampoo's eyes widened as she looked into the angry face and
recognized that kiss.  The same kiss that she had given Ranma so long ago
in her village.  The Kiss of Death.
	Shampoo sputtered, trying to come to grips with this new problem.
Whatever those two had done, they had made Ranma hate her so much...that
she was willing to kill.  This was clearly a problem she couldn't handle
alone.  The young Amazon needed the wisdom of other, wiser souls...She
cracked her knuckles, ready for the battle to come.  There was only one
way to handle this.
	"As wish, Ranma."  She readied herself in a fighting stance,
praying her bluff would work.  "If death you wish, death you get." 
	Much to Shampoo's surprise, Ranma charged in screaming, her
lightning-fast fists ready to deal damage.  She readied herself for the
block...
	Strong arms pinned her hands back, immobilizing her and keeping
her from defending herself.  At the same time, Akane rushed in, tackling
Ranma before anything else could happen.  Shampoo struggled against her
bonds, desperate to flay all of them alive, when a harsh, quiet whisper
echoed in her ears. 
	"Listen to me, Shampoo.  Ranma had a head injury this morning.  As
a result, he thinks he's a girl right now.  I dunno why, but he thinks
you're a mortal enemy, probably because of how outsider women are treated
by your tribe.  I know it hurts to see him this way...it hurts me too. 
But, right now, we don't have a choice.  Understand?"
	Trembling like a caged cat, her burning eyes locked on the prone
form of her airen, Shampoo nodded.
	"Now, I am going to release you.  Do you promise not to cause any
trouble?"
	Shampoo forced a smile.  She couldn't win here; not like this.
She'd be back, though..."Shampoo promise.  Shampoo leave for now." 
	The Amazon looked back to Ukyou, her captor.  "Spatula Girl...I
wonder.  If Shampoo be gentle-nice to girl-Ranma, can Shampoo visit?" 
	Ukyou's dark eyes burned her reply into her.  "That's up to Ranma.
Right now, she views you as an enemy; such an impression won't be easy to
overcome." 
	She nodded sadly, in an effort to make her own act convincing.  A
tear formed in her eyes.  "Understand.  Bie Liao, Spatula Girl."  Shampoo,
picked up her shampoo bottle, and walked to the exit.  Hibachan had to
hear of this...this was worse than bad.

***

	That night, the matriarch in question fumed over the day's events.
If what she'd heard was true (and she had no reason to doubt her
great-granddaughter), the quest to marry Ranma had taken a frightening -
and dangerous - turn.  Worse, if the stories of head trauma were to be
believed, Ranma was in far greater danger than any of them realized.  The
possibility of never recovering from it - that Ranma would forever think
of himself in that manner - was uncomfortably high.  She NEEDED to help
her son-in-law: the Amazon wisdom was far superior to the local medicine
in this respect, and she may be his only chance.  Unfortunately, her past
manipulations had not made her a welcome figure in the Tendo home.
	A knock at the door snapped her from her meditations.  A cloaked
figure strolled through the restaurant's entrance.  The dark eyes that
stared out from the cloak were soft, without malice...but searched the
surroundings instinctively, like a hunter.  With a gentle motion, the
figure reached a hand to the clasp, and let the garment fall to the floor.
	Cologne smiled.  An intellect almost worth dealing with...almost. 
She offered a hand in greeting.  "Hello, Tendo Nabiki.  What brings you to
our fine establishment?"
	The businesswoman locked eyes with her.  "I've come to ask you -
nicely - to stay away from Ranma, and to tell Shampoo to stop forcing
herself on her." 
	The crone decided to feign ignorance.  "And why should I do that?" 
	The tone of Nabiki's voice was flat, subdued.  "Because it might
get your precious Shampoo killed.  Ranma...isn't right in the head right
now.  He sustained a head injury this morning, and now thinks he's a girl. 
Also...he's tried to kill Shampoo, and probably will if they meet again." 
An eyebrow arched on the teenager's head.  "I believe she told you of
receiving the Kiss of Death?"
	Cologne nodded evenly.  "Yes, I am well aware of the events that
transpired earlier this evening.  Also, thanks to your testimony, I now
know what happened to cause Ranma's...change of heart.  However, I have no
intention of staying away from Ranma, if for no other reason than to
chastise him for the 'Kiss of Death' he gave my great-granddaughter." She
glared at the young woman, expecting the youngster's bluff to fail.
	To the young woman's credit, she smiled.  "I was afraid you'd say
that.  Therefore, you leave me no choice.  Your family is not to attempt
any harm to the Saotomes, the Tendos, the Kuonjis, or any other Japanese
citizen, under any circumstances."
	The old woman looked positively amused.  "And what do you plan to
do to stop me...or for that matter, leave this restaurant unharmed?" 
	Nabiki showed no fear from the threat; far from it.  "Really.  Do
you think I wouldn't have taken any precautions in this matter?"  She held
up a small radio.  "Right now I have a half-dozen people listening in on
this conversation.  If you do so much as touch me, or violate my order,
you learn, much to your horror, how your own laws taste."
	Cologne growled.  "Stop speaking nonsense, girl.  I am in charge
of Amazon law, and will always see to its swift enforcement.  There's no
way you could turn Amazon law against me."
	Nabiki grinned evilly.  "True...you are in charge of Amazon law.
But, what I am about to tell you is anything but nonsense.  You have tried
to impose your laws in a society and country to which they do not apply.
So...I decided to apply your laws to this place.  By those laws, _you_ and
Shampoo are the outsiders, not only to Nerima, which is in a way our
village, but to Japan.  Shall we see how those laws would apply in this
situation?"
	Cologne smiled in false confidence.  "How can the application of
our laws, which should have precedence in any matter, put us in the
wrong?"
	Nabiki continued to smile.  "To quote from your own book of laws,
'A woman of the village shall place a kiss of death upon one who threatens
death to those of the village.  A woman shall also consider any outsider
who attempts to take a husband from one of the village someone to be dealt
with by death if necessary.  For an outsider to use magical means to
change or influence a decision, or to threaten a person to decide
differently, is to be dealt with by death.  If these conditions persist,
despite persuasion to the contrary, then the village will declare war on
the offending person or group.'"
	"Since you are an outsider to this entire country, I have already
contacted certain people.  If any harm comes to anyone here, by your hand
or any of your village, then a state of war will be declared.  The Chinese
government will not defend you and will help as well, as the Ambassador
from China is not willing to go to war with Japan, and by extension the
United States, over you and your village."  Nabiki spoke with a chilling
calm, watching what little blood that remained in Cologne's face drain
away.  "By applying your laws, which is what you have always wanted, you
now stand on the brink of war in which the government of your own country
will help us with."
	Cologne looked at Nabiki, quite stunned at what this frail girl
had managed to do.  "If we do anything more against Ranma or any Japanese,
then the village will be scattered to the four winds."
	Nabiki growled, "Exactly.  You and your great-granddaughter have
caused enough trouble here.  If you cannot take a hint, then you invite
war.  Just think of what modern weapons will do to the village you worked
so hard to maintain.  Even martial arts cannot help against so many bombs,
bullets, and other weapons of destruction."  The woman showed a
conciliatory smile for the crone.  "Sorry to bother you at such a late
hour...but the situation required the urgency.  Good night, 'Matriarch'." 
	With that note, Nabiki turned and left the Nekohanten, leaving a
suddenly tired and frightened old woman behind.

***

	Ranma looked out at the stars of night, a strange sort of
melancholy entering her heart.  The day had been like a dream to her, a
nightmare turned good, with night's fears proven unfounded.  Now...it was
time for her to rest, to gather her strength for the coming day.
	"Ready to go to sleep, Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi looked quizzically at
her temporary roommate.  True to form, Ranma nodded eagerly. 
	The young housekeeper went over to her closet.  "Ranma-chan...I
have a small surprise for you."  She looked through the clothes,
eventually stopping at a long sheer nightgown of lace and silk.  She
pulled it out, and handed it to the young redhead.
	Ranma turned over the fabric in her hands, a strange mix of awe
and curiosity entering her features.  "Kasumi...I never quite pictured you
to have a nightgown like this..."
	For some reason, Kasumi's voice seemed to drop slightly, as though
the woman felt the time gone by.  "You can have it if you like.  I wore
stuff like this...in my younger days."  As if to punctuate her point, she
brought out her own conservative gown, and began to undress.
	The smile vanished from Ranma's face as she realized the
implications of Kasumi's statement.  "Younger days?  Kasumi, how old are
you?"
	"Twenty, you know that."  Kasumi grabbed her gown, and put it on. 
	Somehow, seeing this attractive, talented woman debase herself
like this flared... something within Ranma.  She grabbed the woman by the
shoulders, and looked her in the eye.
	"Kasumi, listen to me.  You are not old; you are a kind, noble,
intelligent, sweet soul, who's only just left her teenage years.  You've
got your whole life left in front of you."  The girl stammered, trying to
find the right words to say.  "Kasumi...last night you did something for
me that I can never repay...but I can try.  You have to learn to live for
yourself, not just for all of us.  It is time you started exploring a life
beyond these walls."
	Kasumi smiled, though with far less of the gentleness of before.
"Ranma- chan...I know you mean well...but no.  Besides, who'd want me?
Everyone sees Kasumi, the dependable housemaiden of the Tendo Dojo, not a
woman with wants and needs."
	A scarlet eyebrow arched on the young woman's face.  She put her
hands on her hips.  "Until last night, 'everyone' saw only a loudmouthed,
masculine martial artist named Ranma.  Last night...you taught me to live,
to explore who I am."  She stepped out of her dress, in order to punctuate
the change in her.  "Kasumi...Kasumi- oneechan...it is time you did the
same."
	The smile acquired a touch of humor.  "Oneechan, eh?  Well...you
are like a little sister...or brother...to me.  I wish I could, really I
do...but where would I start?"
	Ranma took off the rest of her clothes, and slipped into the sheer
gown.  "Fortunately, I do know the answer to that one.  You get in your
best dress, grab that hunk-of-a-doctor at the clinic, and take him out to
dinner.  Don't worry about supper tomorrow night; I'll cook, and try to
teach Akane while I'm at it."
	Kasumi looked at the woman in front of her, a strange mix of awe
and surprise on her features.  Here they needed to make no pretenses of
'personality dislocation' or other nonsense; this was probably the purest
essence of Ranma available.  The man/woman who had found her way to the
Dojo knew quite well what it was like to hide parts of herself, and the
resulting pain it could cause.  Now...she was using the wisdom that pain
had given her, to show her her own pain and how to fix it.  Unsure of what
else to do, Kasumi grabbed Ranma in a fierce hug.
	"O-okay.  I will, though I want you to help me choose the outfit,
alright?" 
	"Deal!"  The girl released the embrace, the smile broad on her
features.  "Now come on.  We both need our beauty sleep."  The two girls
turned off the lights and went to their respective beds, though the energy
still lingered in the air, keeping the ladies from slumber.
	"Ranma-chan?"  Kasumi stared at the ceiling, long-dead thoughts
swimming around in her head. 
	"Yes, Kasumi-oneechan?" 
	"I was wondering...how long do you plan to stay like this?" 
	The young lady sighed quietly.  "I dunno...I'd like to go at least
a month...for certain reasons." 
	"Certain reasons?" 
	"Do you remember the Phoenix pill mess, when I was stuck as a
girl?  How long was I stuck?" 
	Kasumi pondered this quietly.  "About a month and a...you mean..." 
	Ranma nodded.  "Yep.  Happened when I was stuck by the Chisuiton,
too."
	"Oh my..." Kasumi was dumbstruck.  For all of the time Ranma was a
boy, she never imagined her having a period...until now.  "Who did you
talk to?"
	Ranma shrugged.  "Who could I talk to?  I bought a pair of small
guy's briefs, looked on the box at the directions..."
	"That must have been frightening to go through all alone.  Mother
was already gone when I had my first, but I was at least expecting it."
	"That's an understatement.  I...it just cut my change in deeper.
Guys just don't have periods, you know?" 
	Kasumi bit her lip.  Something about those words..."Ranma-chan,
are you a boy or a girl?"
	The soft voice that responded was dulled by weariness.  "I'm not
100% man anymore...and it's been a long time since I was.  You can take
that statement any way you want."  She turned over on her futon.  "Good
night, Kasumi-oneechan."
	"Good night, Ranma...imooto." 
	Ranma started at this last statement.  Imooto...younger sister. 
Somehow, it felt...right, proper to her.  She closed her eyes and went to
sleep, her dreams quite different from what they had been.

***