-1Disclaimer: Ranma ½ isn’t mine, this story is not being made for profit. Please don’t sue.

Author note: Chapter 15 is here, bringing with it more of Ranma’s quest to get the phoenix pill and other such goodies.

First I Giveth

Chapter 15 Candidate for Manhood

By Marik Kurakashi

It was morning at the Tendo dojo, which usually meant a bustling of activity. This morning, however, was muted because Ranma was still recovering from the beating she had taken at the hands of Cologne the previous day.

“Good morning Ranma-chan,” Kasumi greeted the redhead as she sat down shakily at the table.

“Morning Kasumi-san.” Ranma muttered, looking slightly frayed.

“What’s the matter boy?” Genma asked, having canceled the morning spar after a bit of “persuasion” by Soun.

“Tired is all.” the girl said plainly, popping her neck nonchalantly. “I got wore out by that old bitty.”

“Well, try to relax today Ranma. Tofu’s already give you a note to stay home from school today.” Soun put it, as Nabiki and Akane joined the table dressed for school.

“Don’t worry Ranma,” Nabiki said, looking at the frazzled redhead, “Akane and I will come up with a different plan for you today, one that will hopefully not get you pummeled into submission.”

“Yeah, you just rest up and leave it to us for now.” Akane added, staring at the redhead with a measured look.

“Okay.” the girl replied half-heartedly, still seeming exhausted.

Kasumi came in and started serving breakfast. Everyone dug in, eating and chatting about things every so often. Pretty soon, Nabiki and Akane were saying their goodbyes, heading out for school.

Ranma felt bad, simply because she had been beaten so thoroughly. She had tried her hardest, and yet was turned aside at every step. The old ghoul had deflected her, controlled her movements, and had all but made Ranma fight the way the ghoul wanted her to.

It was almost more than she could take.

She wasn’t used to the idea that there was someone that she couldn’t even compete with, much less defeat. Sure, her father had often beat in sparring throughout the trip, but she had closed that gap as she grew older. Would she be stuck like this for another ten years before she finally got the darn pill?

That was what was truly terrifying to the Saotome heir. Being a man was deep down a part of what made her who she was. To be stuck like this would be like asking a fish to grow lungs so it could breath on land. It wasn’t something she could just forget, just throw it away and embrace a new persona.

Embracing the curse and forgetting about the pill would be giving up, and Saotome Ranma never gives up.

Still at the table, Saotome Genma watched his son turned daughter struggle with the weight suddenly dropped upon her. While he had adapted to the panda curse with ease, he was also much older and comfortable with being who he is. If Ranma had been older in Genma’s opinion, the boy would have handled the curse much better.

While working at the clinic for much of this past month, he had started reading medical books and such, partly for their help in martial arts. The other reason was that he was making an effort to understand on some level what his son was going through. The hormones, already bad enough for a normal teenaged boy, were doubly worse as he got dosed with some he never really should.

It was enough to make him want to cry sometimes.

He was often insensitive to his son’s plight on a number of levels, but he wanted his son to be tough. His son wasn’t supposed to lean back on his for every single problem. Genma often scoffed at the overly emotional father and son duo, preferring to remain in a somewhat adversarial role to his son.

But something had changed about that recently, something that made he pull the needles off his son. Perhaps, it was his old friend going out on a training trip and him not being there every step of the way. The shame he felt not offering to go along with it, had been profound.

If he couldn’t bear to head out on one measly trip, then how could he ask his son to give his very all on all things that came with the Art?

Still seated at the table, Soun was trying to get his feelings in order over this entire incident. His potential son-in-law, was now locked as a girl and it was apparent he wasn’t going to get his cure for this that easily. The old woman had done quite a number on Ranma again, apparent by how she seemed to stagger around like she had imbibed an entire bottle of sake.

But it was harder for Soun to take, as tow of his daughters seemed to be on eggshells about the whole thing. Both Nabiki and Akane had taken an obvious liking to the Saotome heir, which both made him happy and sad at the same time. He couldn’t bear to see either of them hurt, but it seemed like that was the eventual outcome.

It made him want to bawl like the old days.

That, of course, wouldn’t happen now. But the fact that he had opened this possibility up wore heavily on him. If either of his girls had their heart broken by Ranma, he would have to share in the blame for it.

Of course, the boy had to regain his manhood first, which was looking like an iffy prospect. The Amazon Elder had completely defeated Ranma in both of their encounters, which dampened his spirits just a bit. If this kept up, there was a good chance that Ranma might not live long enough to get his cure.

And that more than anything, was what really scared him about all this.

- - -

It was morning at the Nekohaten, and that meant that there was preparation to be done for the first day that the restaurant would be opening soon. Everyone rushed around, cleaning up the restaurant and making sure everything ready for their official opening. The frantic rush was directed under the watchful gaze of the Elder Cologne.

Ever since she had arrived in Nerima, the Elder had effected a ton of changes. Her pupils Haircare and Shampoo were now having to work side by side, despite a strong dislike of one another. Mousse was behaving himself, if only because he didn’t want to bring down the old woman’s wrath upon himself.

The Elder was not pleased by what had happened while her great-granddaughter was away, and she was going to make sure everyone else weren’t happy about it either.

While she was more merciful to the ex-groom in their last encounter, it was more her desire to continue pummeling the fool than mercy. If she simple broke him in the first two encounters, he would lose the will to continue pursuing the Phoenix Pill. And if he gave up, she might actually start feeling bad for picking on such a weakling.

And that’s why she had allowed those girls to take Ranma from the battle. It was bad enough her own charge was sticking her nose into the battle, but she supposed the girls were only thinking about Ranma’s well-being. She’d have to keep an eye out for them, as they could play a role in further engagements.

She was having more fun than she had in years.

That was what she was seeking from this whole debacle. All she had was a few laughs, a few cheap thrills, was that so wrong? However, she did recognize that some may disapprove of how she got her fun and laughs.

Haircare was a pain, but she was loyal to a fault and stupid enough to allow her to be pushed around like a good little pawn. The old ghoul had thought the same of her great-granddaughter, but the outside world seemed to have wised her up a bit. The same, however, could not be said for Mousse. Wherever he had been taken to must not have allowed him to learn anything.

It was why he made such a good pawn, he was prideful and stupid, easily to manipulate to do her bidding.

As she watched the rush pick up pace, she noticed the stark difference between Haircare and Shampoo. Where the brown haired girl moved as though she was above such menial labor, the purple haired girl moved with a purpose and didn’t seemed bothered by the task. That difference had always been there, it only showed when the two had to do the same task.

Har had talent, and enough skill even though she hadn’t been properly trained. In battle, she could usually be counted on unless she got distracted or mad. In the kingdom of short attention spans, Har would be the eternal queen.

That was why the Elder always referred to her as “my stupid apprentice”.

Shampoo, oh what a waste that girl had turned out to be. Very few warriors ever show signs of becoming an elder in their advanced years. From the time she started training, Cologne could feel a certain specialness about her great-granddaughter, something that showed a future greatness.

Dedicated, driven, and determined to her life as a warrior, Shampoo easily made every single other elder jealous and wary of her. The girl had always placed high amongst her age group in the warrior class, even despite her constant harassment from Mousse and other jealous fighters. She had all the potential to change the village and shape the history that would come.

And that was why Cologne called her “my ungrateful apprentice”.

- - -

The school day was finally over, and neither Akane nor Nabiki milled around after school. Both wanted to get home and get Ranma’s input on a few of the plans they came up with at lunch. The sooner he got back to normal, the happier everyone would be.

Both sisters continued their planning on the way home. After all, they couldn’t waste this time they had to continue rehashing their plans. They continued to talk, until Akane spotted something on a nearby telephone poll and pulled it down.

It was a help wanted ad for the Nekohaten!

The two made tracks for the dojo, rushing as fast as they could without wearing themselves out. Stopping their rush only to doff their shoes, they both frantically completed their bum rush into the house. Receiving scared looks for both fathers and Kasumi, both sisters calmed down enough to explain their frantic entrance.

“Where’s Ranma?” Akane asked, holding up the piece of paper she had pulled down from the poll.

“What is it Akane?” Ranma asked, coming into the room a bit straighter and less worn down than the morning.

“Look at this!” Nabiki exclaimed, taking the ad from Akane and handing it to Ranma.

“Waitress wanted!” Ranma read, eyes widening as he read further. “Apply at Nekohaten for job.”

“You know what this means?” Akane asked, sparing a brief dirty look at the back of her sister’s head.

“No, what?” Ranma answered honestly.

“You can try to get the pill from her without her being able to counterattack you back.” Akane explained, as Nabiki nodded along.

“Look, it’s either this, or continue being pounded into the ground until she cripples you.” Nabiki said, an intense look on her face. “This isn’t the time for any macho bullshit, if you want to be a man again, try to remember that you’d like to be able to enjoy it.”

“Ok, ok, I got it.” Ranma said, not turning away from Nabiki, nor did her eyes reflect any disagreement in them.

“Well, you know where it is.” Akane said, taking a seat at the table. “when you’re ready to go, just apply for the job and try your best to get the locket back.”

“Alright, Akane.” the redhead said with something unnoticeable in her voice, not taking her gaze away from Nabiki.

‘W-what is she staring at me for?’ Nabiki thought unsteadily, feeling somewhat put off by the intense stare.

“I better go,” Ranma said softly, finally tearing her gaze from Nabiki and turning for the door. “I’ll get that pill one way or another.”

The door opened and closed moments later as a silence enveloped the household. Genma shivered, as he had rarely seen his son look at anyone like that. It wasn’t one of anger, or even malice, but of a quiet determination. There was something Genma couldn’t quite place, but it didn’t bother the elder Saotome much.

Soun on the other hand, had a slight feeling what that hidden something might be. He remembered looking like that when faced with a tough decision as presented to him by his late wife. It was a look of longing, a want to say something that he knew he shouldn’t. To do something that would be permanent and unable to be taken back once done.

Kasumi shook her head, feeling like something major happened without her noticing it. She had noticed the gaze that Ranma had directed at Nabiki, but didn’t see anything other than the fact the redhead was staring rather intensely at her sister. For the life of her, she couldn’t figure it out.

Akane didn’t want to look up from the table, didn’t want to look over at the spot where Ranma had ignored her in favor of staring at Nabiki. It was bad enough Nabiki wouldn’t reveal her scheme and leave Akane and Ranma in peace, but she also had to fake like she cared about Ranma in some capacity. Her sister was treading too far with this scheme, and soon, Akane may just have to set the Ice Queen straight on what’s what.

Nabiki could only stare where Ranma had stood, staring into her like she were a mirror. That look on the redhead’s face spoke volumes, but what was said was still a mystery. Her insides were feeling like they had be coated with syrup, her mind doing somersaults as she tried to figure out what was conveyed by that look. She could feel her face heat up with a faint blush as her hormones flared out of control, as they had when she had snuck kisses from him when he slept.

But could she ever allow him to be anything more than a friend, allow that protective shell she had woven to fail? Could she throw it all away, who she had been these ten years, and allow him to be with her in that way? When it was all out in the air, and they had finally figured out where they stood in each other’s lives and plans, would there be a we, an us, or just… friends?

Despite her above average intelligence, Nabiki couldn’t answer a single one.

- - -

“Nabiki…” Ranma muttered to herself, collecting herself at the wall of the compound to recollect herself. “Why’d you have to go and say all that?”

The redhead was currently annoyed at the middle Tendo, but more at herself for her neigh outburst in the face of what she said. It was something that should make her angry, make her want to snap back at her, but something about it made her stop. It made her stop and think about what Nabiki said and why she said it.

It was true, Cologne had beaten her pretty badly. But the way Nabiki had said it, the way the emotions came across, had stuck an unfamiliar chord with the Saotome heir. The words struck up a whole new set of feelings, something that stopped Ranma dead in her tracks.

And she had stared at Nabiki, eyes awash with emotions and feelings she herself couldn’t describe if she tried.

Disgusted with herself, she pushed on to the Nekohaten, determined to get the locket and get the Cat’s tongue turned off once and for all. The old ghoul would learn that you shouldn’t mock Saotome Ranma while he, in this case she, was down. Clenching her hands into fist, she would wipe the condescending grin off the old bag’s face.

A hundred and fifty years it would take for her to be ready to beat the old ghoul? Ha! She would do it in a mater of days if need be, as she was tired of being the whipping boy to the mummy’s cruel mistress. It was time for her to remove the seal on her manhood, and stand once more as a man.

She kicked the doors open and glared at everyone inside, daring them to say anything.

“OLD GHOUL!” she cried, clenching her right hand into a fist. “I’ve come to fill the waitress job!”

“Oh have you really, ex-groom?” the old woman said, reclining her head to a side. “Then come with me to the back.”

“You got it.” the girl replied cockily, before passing by a heavily bandaged Har. “Yikes! A mummy!”

“Oh shut up! It’s your fault I’m like this.” the mummified girl snapped back, trying not to drop her ramen.

“It too-too good look for you.” Shampoo said as she passed by. “Bandages cover up Haircare’s too-too ugly face.”

“Oh can it, you!” Har snarled back, jamming the orders down. “I don’t need lecture from someone like you!”

“Uh, old ghoul,” Ranma whispered to said ghoul as soon as they were away from Har. “Are you sure this isn’t something kinda weird about that mummy girl?”

“Other than her utter lack of an attention span?” Cologne asked back, not getting what the girl was hinting at.

“Well…” the redhead said, looking back at Har argue with Shampoo with fervor. “Do you ever get the feeling that she has a crush on Shampoo?”

“A crush?” the elder asked, eyes blinking owlishly. “Well, it WOULD explain a few things.”

“Well, what’s back here you want to show me?” Ranma asked, her curiosity about Har’s sexual preference discarded.

“Your uniform of course.” Cologne answered, grabbing one and throwing it at the girl. “Change. You start today.”

“Alright.” the redhead said, heading off to a secure place to change.

‘So, she’s walking along to my plan.’ the old woman thought, a picture of Nabiki flashed through her mind. ‘That girl, for an outsider, she’s pretty slick.’

“Okay, I’m ready.” Ranma said as she emerged from the room.

“Good, I expect a lot out of you.” Cologne said.

- - -

An hour passed since Ranma had started her new job at the Nekohaten in a bid to try and grab the pill from the old ghoul. People soon flocked to the Nekohaten when they heard about the cute waitresses. And upon taking in what many assumed was a floor show, one could hardly blame them for being content with dinner and a show.

“One order of beef ramen!” Cologne called as she held the bowl up from Ranma to take.

“Got it!” Ranma called, one hand going for the bowl, the other for the bowl.

“Hah!” the old woman called, thrusting a hand out to stop the encroaching hand.

Thus began a furious exchange of grabs and swats, the bowl seemingly hovering in the air.

“Wow, the bowl is floating in mid-air!” cried one not-so bright customers, whose friends immediately did the patient smile thing, as if to say, “Please forgive him for being stupid”.

“Five orders of curry ramen!” came the call from the chef, who so happened to be Shampoo‘s father, slinging the bowls at Ranma.

“Gack!” she cried, frantically catching the bowls and balancing them on her arms.

“You better hurry or you’ll be burned by the hot broth!” Cologne cackled in delight.

Over at another table, two very familiar faces watched in silence. Akane wasn’t comfortable sitting next to Nabiki, not after what had happened at the dojo. Nabiki, by the same token, wasn’t sure how she should feel around Ranma after what happened.

“Well, Ranma’s doing better.” Nabiki muttered, poking at her bowl of Ramen.

“Better? Are you nuts? He can’t even get close.” Akane said hotly, not finding her own ramen very appealing.

“Ah, but Cologne isn’t beating her from pillar to post.” the elder sister said, wagging her finger.

‘Thinks she’s so cool,’ the younger sister grumbled silently, taking a mouthful of ramen and slurping loudly.

‘I have to admit,’ Ranma thought as she continued her routine with Cologne. ‘This does make for some real good training.’

And so it continued for another two hours before Cologne decided to send Ranma home. Ranma respectfully said her goodbyes to the Elder and Shampoo and left with the two sisters, happy to walk away with no new bruises. She didn’t talk much during the walk home, which was fine by both sisters.

They were just relieved Ranma walked away from this encounter.

- - -

School was in session, and since she had recovered from her beating, Ranma showed up as a girl. Normally, she would have to wear a girl’s uniform, but a quick lie from Nabiki and a note from Dr. Tofu allowed her to stick to her Chinese clothes. She was enjoying school simply because it was a sign of normalcy for her now.

Of course, that didn’t last long. By the time the day had let out, Ranma was confronted with a very distinct problem that she had been shielded from. Namely, the Blue Thunder of Furinkan High, and his particular brand of romance.

A sigh escaped the pigtailed girl’s lips as she spotted him coming towards her.

“PIGTAILED GIRL!” the overly amorous kendoist cried, opening his arms wide. “Jump into my arms and show me the love I have been missing since you went away.”

“Hands off pal.” said girl retorted, blocking the attempted hug with a well place foot to the face.

“Ha ha ha,” Kuno laughed after recovering from the unexpected kick. “How fiery she is, my beloved pigtailed girl. The Gods surely smile, as the foul sorcerer is nowhere to be seen.”

“Will you just shut up?” Ranma asked with a vein pulsing from her forehead, jumping up and hammering Kuno over the head with an overhand right.

“Ah, such a lovely maiden to play hard to get.” Kuno mused, voice muffled by the ground his face was currently pressed against.

“Ah, forget it.” Ranma said, storming off in a huff, not wanting to deal with Kuno right now.

“Oh pigtailed girl!” Kuno cried as he got up and ran after her. However, before he could embrace her, a giant concrete roller slammed into the ground in front of him. “What in blazes?”

“Cool you ardor boy.” Cologne said from atop said roller. Quickly, she jabbed him in the head with her staff, knocking him out.

“Aw, man,” Ranma breathed out, getting over the whole crash. “What do you want, old ghoul? I don’t have to work for another hour.”

“This is not about your new job, ex-groom.” the old woman rasped, turning around to face the redhead. “This is just me making sure you’re totally calm.”

“Uh, thanks.” Ranma said, somewhat off-balance by that.

“After all, the customers wouldn’t like an angry waitress!” Cologne cackled, hopping off the roller and away into the sky. “Try and look beautiful for the adoring public.”

“Grr, why that no good old freak!” she exclaimed, an aura of rage appearing around her. “You forgot this!” With that, in an amazing display of strength that she probably shouldn’t have been able to do, she booted the concrete roller into the air after the ghoul.

“Ha, it is too easy!” called a male voice, as a Chinese boy leapt into the air and split the roller in twain. He landed in what would have been a cool pose, had the two split ends not landed directly on his head.

“What the…? What was that?” Ranma exclaimed, drawing over both Tendo sisters from what they were doing before.

“Who was that?” Akane asked, staring at the concrete pile in shock.

“Someone who wasn’t that bright I’d say.” Nabiki answered, silently saying a prayer from the surely dead boy’s soul.

“Shampoo!” came a cry from the rubble, which was soon parted to reveal the boy was just fine.

“Stupid Mousse always showoff.” the named girl huffed, landing next to Ranma and the sisters Tendo.

“Oh, Shampoo! How lovely it is to hear your voice!” Mousse exclaimed, rushing forward and hugging Akane tightly.

“Who are you calling Shampoo!” Akane growled, disengaging herself and slapping the boy.

“Mousse as blind as bat yes?” Shampoo said helpfully, explaining said boy’s eyesight problem.

“That would explain it.” Nabiki said, glaring at the Chinese boy.

“I’ll say,” Ranma said, sniffing slightly.

“Ah ha, Saotome Ranma!” Mouse exclaimed, turning at Shampoo with his arms poised to strike.

“Stupid Mousse! It Shampoo!” Shampoo cried, kicking him in the face.

“Ow,” Mousse groaned, rubbing his jaw. “That’s what I expect from the person who beat Shampoo.”

“Yo! Over here stupid.” Ranma called, waving her hand.

“You insufferable moron!” Cologne hollered as she appeared and bashed Mousse over the head with her staff. “Put on your glasses!”

“Hmm,” the boy said, putting on and adjusting said glasses and looking at Cologne. “It’s a mummy!”

“Ha ha,” Cologne deadpanned, before nailing him in the ribs. “Now do what you were sent here for.”

“Ah ha!” Mousse wheezed, rubbing out the sting in his ribs. “There you are Ranma!” He pointed straight at the redhead.

“What do you want?” Ranma said, cracking her knuckles.

“I want you to release whatever hold you have on Shampoo so she can marry her true husband, me!” the myopic boy cried, earning a glare from said girl.

“Hmph!” Shampoo said, turning her nose up. “Shampoo sooner love Haircare than you.”

“Besides, she already spurned you.” Cologne said, rubbing her forehead.

“But… but… we were kids!” Mousse sputtered indignantly, a brief image of young Shampoo kicking him in the face flashing through his mind.

“And yet she still does.” Cologne said, shaking her head.

“Grr, I challenge you Saotome!” the boy cried, pointing at her.

“And why should I accept?” Ranma asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“Because…” Mousse started, but trailed off as he realized he had no sufficient bait for the fight.

“If you win and defeat Mousse, irregardless of circumstance, I’ll show you a technique to help you get the Phoenix Pill.” the Elder offered, pulling out the locket with the pill in it.

“Hey!” Mousse yelled, wheeling around and looking at the old ghoul. “What do I get if I win?”

“Not Shampoo.” Cologne said flatly. “Even though my ungrateful apprentice infuriates me so, you won’t get her from this fight.”

“Fine!” the flustered boy cried. “I’ll take…” he paused, scanning the crowd before point at Nabiki. “Her!”

“What?” Akane screamed, clenching her hands into fist and needing to be restrained by Ranma to keep from trying to throttle the boy. “What do you want with my sister!?”

“A-Akane!” Ranma said, trying her hardest to keep the girl back. “Stop!”

“You’re on.” Nabiki said, a feral look in her eyes.

“WHAT?!” Akane and Ranma shouted in unison, nearly toppling over in shock.

“If you’re going to get a technique to break the cat’s tongue, I don’t mind baiting myself for it.” Nabiki said, smirking at Mousse. “Be here tomorrow, after school, and make sure to practice your excuses on why you lost.”

“Do I have your word you won’t chicken out?” Mousse asked, looking at Ranma.

“Hah!” Ranma snorted, a smirk of her own on her face. “I should be asking you that.”

“Nabiki…” Akane said, staring at her sister.

“What?” the elder sister replied, looking over at Akane.

“You don’t have to do this.” the younger sister said quietly, trying to keep the anger out of her voice.

“Do what? Help Ranma? I suppose only you’re allowed to help him then?” Nabiki asked crossly, silencing her sister as they lapsed into a staring contest.

“Uh…” Mousse said, looking at the sisters. “I think we’re being ignored here.”

“Whatever.” Ranma retorted. “Just be prepared to lose tomorrow.”

“You’re on.” Mousse said, leaping away.

“Old ghoul,” Ranma said. “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to work today, I need to train.”

“Indeed you do. Very well, I’ll allow you the day off to train.” the old woman said, thinking for a second. “And don’t worry, Mousse won’t do anything to that girl, I’ll see to that.”

“Thanks…” Ranma whispered in relief. “Hey, let’s go home.”

Both girls broke their staring match and nodded to him. The trio soon departed for the Tendo dojo, their minds racing on what to do for the fight tomorrow. The old woman watched them go, a look of quiet contemplation on her face.

“Good luck to you ex-groom.” Cologne said, a deadly grin on her face. “You’ll need it.”

End chapter 15

Teaser for chapter 16:

“Good luck Ranma.” Akane said, as Ranma headed off to battle Mousse. They had arrived early so Ranma could warm up before the battle.

“Hey, don’t worry, I’m the best remember?” Ranma said confidently, smiling brightly.

“Sure, sure. All the same, you’ll need it.” the youngest Tendo said, before looking around for her sister. “Have you seen Nabiki?”

“She said she’d be there to watch the battle,” Ranma replied, thinking briefly. “I think Shampoo may have come by.”

“Oh.” Akane said, not understanding the oddball relationship between her sister and the former Amazon. “Well, Mousse should be here soon.”

“Yeah, I hope she gets to watch it.” Ranma said, before waving off Akane’s look of discomfort. “She’s being wagered on this battle isn’t she?”

“That’s right, she is.” Akane said, breathing a mental sigh of relief. ‘So he’s just concerned about her knowing her fate. That’s all.’

Author note: Another chapter down, expect an FIG Christmas fic on Monday. Also, Har’s purpose will slowly reveal itself, but seriously, she’s going to get dumped on because of her attitude. It’s not the nicest thing, but I don’t have to be nice to her if I don’t want to. Have patience, all will be revealed in time. I promise. Later.