Disclaimer

Ranma 1/2 and the characters and situations within were created by Rumiko Takahashi, and are owned by Shonen Sunday, Kitty, Viz, et al ad nauseum. They are not mine. Please don’t sue me.

Tail Kinker Presents Choices I: Planned Brotherhood -2-

Akane opened the bedroom door and stepped in, looking around. There was space on the floor for a futon, and she kept one under her bed. This would do for a short time; soon, Auntie Saotome’s house would be fixed, and then Ranma and Ranko would probably be living there.

So would she, for that matter; she wasn’t going to just let her fiancee and his twin walk away.

She turned, to see Ranko still standing in the hall.

"Well, don’t be shy; come on in."

Ranko nervously walked into the bedroom. "Every other time I’ve come in here, I’ve gotten pounded."

Akane laughed. "Not this time, I promise. Things are a little different now."

Ranko looked down. "Yeah..."

"I’ve got a futon available, and you can use the bottom two drawers on the dresser; they’re empty." She looked the girl up and down. "I don’t think you’ll fit into my old school uniform very well; you’re shorter than me, and have a bigger bust."

Ranko looked up, with a bit of terror in her eyes. "School?"

"Of course."

"But..." She shrugged. "Guess everyone’s gonna find out eventually." She winced. "Oh, man, I am not looking forward to Kuno finding out."

Akane giggled, then said, "I don’t think we’ll need to worry about a uniform. You never wore one before."

"Mom’s probably gonna insist." She sighed. "You heard what she said; she’s happy to have a daughter again. And you just know that she’s gonna want to turn her daughter into a ’proper young woman.’"

"Well, we’ll deal with that when it comes up." Akane paused, then started to unbutton her blouse.

"ACK!" Ranko turned and reached for the door.

"Ranko." Akane’s voice was firm. "You’re a girl, remember?"

"I..." Ranko sighed. "I keep forgettin’." Her hand dropped from the doorknob. "This is real hard on me, Akane."

"I know. And you asked me, when you were still Ranma, to help you, right?"

Ranko shook her head. "How is this helpin’?"

"Because you’re a girl now, right? You’re going to have to get used to being one." Akane laughed a bit unsteadily. "I’m going to have to get used to it, too...It took a lot of willpower for me to take off this shirt."

Ranko shook her head. "But I can’t be a girl, because..."

"Because all of the crap your father filled your head with?" Akane put a hand on the smaller girl’s shoulder. "How you had to be manly?"

"Yeah." Ranko shuddered. "Look how manly I am."

"Ranko..." Akane was somewhat lost for words.

Ranko turned to face Akane. "Why did you--" She broke off, realizing that Akane had removed the blouse, though she still wore her bra. She glanced down, the back up hurriedly. "Sorry."

Akane snickered. "Some things don’t change, huh?"

"Akane, I never tried to peep at you before, okay? Except for that one time my Mom made me do it."

"I know, Ranko." Her grin widened. "Though any time you did walk in on me, you never hesitated to look."

Ranko shrugged, and said, "Well, I’m still human."

"So much for calling me sexless, though."

Ranko chuckled.

"Look, Ranko. I’m real sorry that this had to happen to you."

"Don’t be," said Ranko. "I chose this, remember?"

"I know, but still..."

"This was the only way that Ranma coulda cured himself, right? The only way he coulda been a whole man for you."

Akane stepped back in shock. "For...me?"

"Yeah, you were always goin’ on about how you didn’t want no half-man pervert for a fiancee. All the time I was searchin’ for a cure, it was for you." She looked up at the taller girl. "Well, we found one, but it means that I..." She sniffed.

Akane grabbed the smaller girl in a bear hug. "Ranko...thank you. It does mean a lot to me. But you must’ve known that I’d love you, even with the curse."

"I know." Ranko’s voice was muffled.

"And I still love you, both you and him." She released the smaller girl. "Though I should tell you, that it’s him I’m going to marry. I’m sorry."

"I know." Ranko smiled. Then frowned, and wiped a bit of blood from her nose. "Uh, Akane..."

Akane scowled. "I forgot, when I hugged you..." She looked down at herself. "And here I am, in only a bra..." She looked back up, fire in her eyes.

Ranko raised her hands. "It’s not what it--"

"I should’ve thought it through." Akane whipped out a mallet, and smacked herself with it. "Akane no baka."

Ranko stared...and laughed.

Ranma sat at the table, staring at the cup of tea growing cold in his hand.

"Having second thoughts, my son?"

He looked up. "Well, kinda, Mom." He sighed. "Every time I look at her, I feel...well, like I let her down." He smiled slightly. "I figured it’d be the other way around; her hating me. But it’s not."

Nodoka nodded. "You’ve always been kind, Ranma. You, as her, have forgiven you, but you, as he, feel that you owe it to her to make up for what you’ve done."

"Well, yeah." He sipped the tea, winced at the cold, tannic flavour.

"There is a way to make it up to her."

"How?"

"Treat her as your sister," said Nodoka. "Prove to her that you still value her. I’m going to treat her as my daughter, of course, so it only makes sense."

"Mom...she ain’t gonna really be happy with you turnin’ her into a daughter."

"You did that, not I."

Ranma winced.

"But I think that you’re worried that I’m going to turn her into some kind of stereotype, and that she’d hate being forced into that mold."

"Well, I never liked it."

Nodoka sighed. "I’m sorry, Ranma. If you’d just told me the truth--"

"I know." He hung his head.

"But don’t worry. I’ll be able to cope with having a daughter who used to be a son." She smiled. "That girl’s going to cause me no end of trouble, I can tell. But I won’t push her into anything." Her expression softened. "The two of us have already put her through so much."

Kasumi closed the front door as quietly as she could. Nabiki was spending the night at a friend’s house, and Father and Uncle Saotome wouldn’t be back until tomorrow, but Akane, Ranma and Auntie Saotome were certainly in bed and asleep at this hour.

Well, a train wreck probably wouldn’t wake up Ranma, but there were the other two to consider.

She removed her shoes, then ascended the stairs to the second level. She noticed that Akane’s door was somewhat ajar, and opened it a bit more, to check on her sister.

And gasped. Curled up in the bed with Akane was Ranma. He was in his girl form, and both wore pajamas, but still...

She closed the door quietly, resolved to have a word with the two in the morning. After all, they’re engaged, but not yet married. And Ranma was sleeping with her as a girl! It’s just not...proper.

"Hi, Kasumi."

Kasumi turned to see Ranma walking into the kitchen. He looked tired and distracted, like something had kept him up all night.

As she feared.

She set down the knife she’d been using - no need to risk an accident - and turned towards him. "Good morning, Ranma-kun. May I have a word with you?"

"Huh? Oh, sure."

She paused; how exactly to approach this? "I am glad that you and Akane are getting along better recently. However, I do think you shouldn’t rush into anything."

"Rush...?" Ranma grinned. "Oh, I know what you’re talkin’ about. Don’t worry, Kasumi, I did think about it. An’ me and Akane talked about it for a while, too."

Kasumi felt a bit dazed. "You did?"

"Yeah. Of course, we gotta talk about it, whenever the old ghoul is involved."

Kasumi prayed that she was misunderstanding. "The old ghoul...you mean Cologne?"

"Heck, Kasumi, who else do I ever call that."

Kasumi closed her eyes and tried to repress a very unpleasant image.

"Mom was real happy when she found out, which is good, ’cause I was kinda worried."

Kasumi winced.

"Good morning, Kasumi!"

Kasumi opened her eyes, glanced over to the doorway of the family room, to see Ranma, in girl form, walking in.

She glanced back at the Ranma, in boy form, in front of her.

"Ah, Ranma...and Ranma...could you wait just a moment?" She turned and walked back into the kitchen.

Ranko glanced over at Ranma. "You haven’t told her yet, have you?"

Ranma scratched his head. "I thought I had."

Kasumi walked back into the family room, a steaming cup of water in one hand, and a cup of cold water in the other.

Ranko snickered. "I don’t think you did, Oniichan. At least, not properly."

Kasumi shook her head at the sight before her.

Ranma sat on one side of Akane, dressed in his normal chinese clothing, his hair still damp from the cold water. And still male.

On the other side of Akane was his girl form, insisting that she was still Ranma...except that she was now calling herself Ranko. She was dressed in a pair of Akane’s flannel pajamas, a bit long in the sleeve and leg, but loose enough that she didn’t voice her usual complaints about them being too tight across the chest.

"It’s...rather difficult to adjust to, you know."

Ranma smirked. "Don’t worry, Kasumi. You’ll get used to it soon enough."

"I don’t know, Ranma." She set her teacup on the table. It rattled as it touched the wood.

Akane gaped.

Ranma leaned forward. "Kasumi, trust me. It’s not a bad thing!"

"Oh, I do believe that, Ranma." She turned to Ranko. "I hope you’ll be happy living with us, until your mother’s house is repaired. Please, think of this as your home, Ranko-chan."

Ranko winced at the ’-chan’ ending, then put on her sweetest smile. "Thank you, Kasumi. You’ve always made me feel welcome before, and I know you’ll do so in the future."

Kasumi giggled. "I keep forgetting...you’re still you...just not, exactly."

Akane nodded. "It’s kinda disturbing, really, how quickly you do get used to it, Oneechan. It’s been less than three hours, not counting sleep, and I already feel like I’ve known Ranko for years." She looked to the smaller girl, a guilty expression on her face. "I mean...because I have known you for years, really."

Ranko snickered.

Akane pushed on. "Because she’s still Ranma, in almost every way." She shyly took Ranko’s hand, a sad look in her eyes. "The same Ranma I’ve...come to care about. But now I have to care for you like a sister, instead of..." Her other hand fumbled to her left, grabbing Ranma’s hand.

Ranko gave Akane’s hand a squeeze, and whispered, "It’s okay, Akane."

Kasumi smiled. "Well, then I had best pack another bento. Just because you’ve suddenly gained a twin sister, Ranma, doesn’t mean you can be late for school."

Ranma blinked, and nodded. "Good old Kasumi. Business as usual."

Nodoka smiled as Ranko came down the stairs, dressed in a Furinkan school uniform.

"You look lovely this morning, Ranko-chan." It was a lie; Ranko’s eyes were a bit red and puffy, and her hair, still in its masculine style, was in disarray. But a mother is supposed to be supportive.

"Thanks, Mom." She winced at the "-chan" suffix, then chuckled. "Akane offered me one of her older uniforms, but I remembered that I had one from..." She frowned. "Can’t really remember, some disguise or somethin’, but here it is."

"You know, Ranko," said Akane, "that uniform doesn’t look quite right with boxers. Surely you’ve got some panties--"

Ranko scowled at Akane. "Yeah, I’ve got some, thanks for mentioning it in front of everyone. But the ones I have were for luring Happousai; there’s no way I’m wearing ’em with this."

Nodoka added, "It’s also customary to wear a bra with the uniform." She raised a hand as Ranko whirled to glower at her. "I’m not trying to make you angry, dear, but you’ll quickly discover that a bra gives better support for an active young lady." She sighed. "I know that you have a tendency to get into fights...Surely you don’t want to lose a battle because you are...improperly restrained."

Ranko sighed. "Guess I shoulda known I’d end up doin’ this...But the only bra and panties I have are bright scarlet and lacy. Y’know, the sorta thing Happousai would go for." She tilted her head. "Ya don’t want your daughter wearin’ that sorta crap, do ya?"

"Language, Ranko-chan." Another wince from the girl. Nodoka paused, then continued. "No, I suppose you’re right. But unless you are to borrow a set--"

"Forget it," growled Akane. "That’s way above and beyond the call of duty."

Ranko snapped her fingers. "Got it! Mom, remember when you took me out to buy a bra?"

Nodoka nodded. "Yes, I remember you’d insisted on only the plainest. I thought it odd...but the one we got you came in a package with two pairs of panties. All plain cotton."

"Problem solved." She turned to Ranma. "Can you go and grab them? They’re in the bag with the green dress, stuffed in the very back of the top shelf of the closet."

"Yeah, sure." Ranma stood and walked towards the stairs.

Ranko waggled a finger at him. "And don’t look at ’em! Just bring the whole bag!"

Nodoka leaned towards Akane and whispered, "And Ranma was afraid I’d force her into this."

Akane had stated some important need to be at school early, and Nabiki always left before the others; so it was that Ranma and Ranko found themselves alone on the walk to school.

"Hey, Ranko. Can I ask you somethin’?"

Ranko shrugged. "Sure."

Ranma considered for a bit before continuing. "Look, I’m sorry I got you stuck in this--"

"You mean we got us stuck in this."

"Yeah."

"Don’t worry...I went into this with my eyes open. Well, mostly." She chuckled. "But I gotta tell ya, it’s takin’ all my willpower to go through with some of this." She picked at her waistband. "These things I’m wearin’ fit better to this body, I gotta say, but it’s just...wierd, wearin’ ’em."

Ranma stopped and turned to face his sister. "That’s what I don’t get. You’re still me, at least mentally, but you’re doin’ all this girly stuff. Wearin’ a bra and a dress--"

She smiled sadly. "But I am a girl."

Ranma threw up his hands. "I know that! But I just can’t figure out why you’re doin’ it all. I mean, we’ve both been raised to be manly. How can you just shrug it all off."

"Because I have to." She sighed. "You remember why we did this?"

"Sure, for Akane."

"Ranma, we both know you’re gonna marry Akane, and not too long from now. You’ve both only got a year left at Fuurinkan, and you’re both going to Tokyo University. You think that Mom, Tendo or Kasumi are gonna sit still for you two livin’ together unless you’re married?"

"Well...no."

"Akane’s in love with you. And, unfortunately, with me. I don’t wanna get in the way." She looks down. "It’s gonna hurt like hell to give her up, but I’m doin’ this for you. You deserve a bit of happiness...and if I don’t do somethin’ about it all, Akane’s gonna be torn between us." She looked up, and Ranma was astonished to see tears in her eyes. "Best thing I can do is be your sister...Akane’s sister-in-law...a good, close friend. And that means I gotta be a girl, in every way."

"Does bein’ a girl make you think better? ’Cause I woulda never thought of any of that."

Ranko grinned. "I had most of last night to think about it...couldn’t sleep well."

"Well, at least one of us is thinkin’," said Ranma. "Do me a favour, though, all right?"

"Sure."

"Bein’ a girl’s fine an’ all, but don’t be a sissy. I want a good opponent to spar with."

She laughed.

They walked in silence for a moment, then Ranma spoke up again. "Look, I just want you to know that, even though you’re kinda freakin’ me out--"

"You and me both, big brother."

"Yeah. Despite that, I’m gonna do whatever I can to help you through this, okay? Anythin’ you need, just ask."

"Okay, two things."

"Shoot."

"First, don’t ever call me Ranko-chan."

Ranma laughed. "Yeah, that’d bug the hell outta me, too."

"Second is a bit tougher." Ranko pointed to the Furinkan school gate ahead. "Can you deal with him?"

"Him" was Kuno Tatewaki. And from the look on his face, he was more stunned than usual.

---