Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Couch Trips ❯ “Adventures in shopping” ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8

"Adventures in shopping"

The characters of Ranma

"Not without Ranma." Said Akane.

"Ranma?" asked Nodoka "We're going to be shopping for woman's clothing, don't you think Ranma may feel a little out of..." There was the sound of water splashing and girl-Ranma was standing in front of Nodoka, looking a little nervous. "Oh!" said Nodoka.

"I hope its okay, Mom," Ranma asked, fiddling with his (her!) pigtail.

"Okay, I guess you are coming with us, but I think I deserve an explanation!" Nodoka demanded, her expression showed her confusion.

"Okay, mom! We can talk on the way," said Ranma and taking Akane `s hand walked out of the Tendo house.

Kasumi, Nodoka and Nabiki trailed behind.

Nodoka picked up her pace until she was walking abreast of her sometime daughter. She glanced at Ranma noting how possessively he was holding Akane 's hand, the happy and contented smile on his face and the matching smile on Akane.

Ranma didn't say anything for a while, and then taking a deep breath she began to speak. "Mom, I've been going, I mean Akane and I..." she stuttered.

"Slow down, Ranma," whispered Akane. "Start at the beginning. I'm here." She squeezed the smaller girls hand in silent support.

Ranma smiled at his fiancé in gratitude. "Mom," began again Ranma. "A couple of months ago, I met a friend of Dr. Tofu `s. He a psychiatrist..."

"A psychiatrist!" interrupted Nodoka scandalized.

"Yeah, a psychiatrist and, well I've been going to him for help and he's really helped me a lot, mom. We talk about all sorts of things."

"Oh, like what?" said Nodoka, worry in her voice.

"Oh, about my curse, and Akane and Pop and everything," replied Ranma calmly. "And Akane and I are now doing couples therapy."

Akane nodded in agreement. "It's really helping," Akane added.

"Really?" asked Nodoka. "Isn't that a little…extreme? I mean I don't know if I am comfortable having you talking about personal things to a perfect stranger. Why couldn't you just talk to me?"

"Oh, mom. Up until a little while ago I thought you were going to have me commit seppuku because of my `curse'. How was I supposed to talk to you about other…things," explained Ranma.

Nodoka blanched at this statement. "What other things?' asked Nodoka, worry in her voice.

"Well, how about me wanting to go shopping with the `girls' as a girl?" responded Ranma "I mean, why do you think I asked to come along, it isn't exactly `manly' now is it?"

Nodoka stopped dead in her tracks. "You mean...?" she sputtered.

This allowed Nabiki and Kasumi to catch up. You could almost see Nabiki `s ears straining to hear every word. They all continued walking.

"Ranma and I have both accepted that there isn't going to be a cure for his curse, at least not anytime soon and..." Akane blushed. "I think I'd miss by best girl-friend."

Kasumi's hand flew to her mouth at this last statement. "Best girl-friend?"

"Anyway," continued Akane. "Dr. Epstein, that's Ranma `s psychiatrist, said it would be a good idea to live with the curse not fight against it."

"You mean you're going to become a girl?" ask Kasumi.

"Not exactly," explained Ranma. "I'm going to become me, a guy who can turn into a girl. Look, I'm still a guy, well mostly, it's just that I..." Ranma broke off and looked at Akane helplessly.

"What Ranma is trying to say is that he is a boy AND a girl and he needs to learn to BE both. I know this will be hard for everyone to understand, but it is something Ranma has to do and I'm going to help him, even if no one else will." The last statement was said defiantly.

Nabiki blinked in astonishment. Ranma was going to embrace his girl side? Now Akane was defending and supporting Ranma? What next?

"RANMA, PREPARE TO DIE!!!!" screamed a voice.

'I had to ask,' thought Nabiki.

Ryoga swung his battle umbrella using all the nearly superhuman strength at his command. The force generated would be enough to turn Ranma into jelly if it had connected. However, Ranma just back-flipped away and the umbrella just sliced through empty air. "Stand and fight me like a man," shouted Ryoga assuming a battle stance. "Stop running away like some girl."

That was a mistake. The air suddenly crackled with energy as Akane and Nodoka were suddenly enveloped in their battle auras. Akane's was a deep blue while Nodoka was surrounded by a red aura. Nodoka's katana fairly flew from its sheath while Akane finished the fight by drop kicking Ryoga. "Ryoga no baka!" screamed Akane as Ryoga flew into the side of the nearest building. Before Ryoga could get up, Nodoka had the sharpened edge of her katana firmly lodged against his throat.

"Young man," snarled Nodoka. "You have one second to apologize to my daughter or I promise you, you will regret it, only not for very long."

"Daughter?" said Ryoga, confused "Don't you mean son?"

"Does she look like a boy to you?" asked Nodoka with false sweetness. The katana pressed harder against Ryoga `s throat.

"But... but that's Ranma," protested Ryoga. "He's really a guy. You know that. Don't you?"

"Yes, but right now she is a girl and polite young men do not attack young women. Now about that apology?" inquired Nodoka.

Ryoga looked around helplessly. In front of him was Ranma's mother holding a katana to his throat and glowing red with anger, Akane, still glowing blue, Nabiki not glowing but smirking in amusement and Kasumi, Kasumi was giving him a look that she usually reserved for a wayward bug in her kitchen. Ryoga gulped and turned to Ranma who was looking on in wide-eyed astonishment. "I'm sorry Ranma." Said Ryoga bowing "I apologize."

"That's okay, Ryoga, no harm done," said Ranma. "Apology accepted."

"Thanks," said Ryoga. He then turned to Nodoka. "Can I go now?"

Nodoka stepped back and removed the blade from Ryoga `s throat. "You may go now. I do not want to see or hear of you attacking my daughter again. If my SON wishes to fight with you that is his decision. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," mumbled Ryoga and he stumbled off.

Ranma stared at his mother and his fiancé in astonishment, a strange feeling coming over him. For the first time in his life someone was defending him. "Mom, Akane?" said Ranma, they looked over to him. "Thanks," she said. Then something his mother said suddenly came to him. "Daughter? Mom, you called me your daughter."

"Did I?" mused Nodoka "I guess, I did. Well you aren't my son at this moment and you are a girl, so that makes you my daughter. Now that that is settled, let's go shopping we have to make sure Kasumi looks her best for tonight."

A chorus of, "Yes, Auntie," and, "Yes, Mom," greeted that last statement. And the five women continued on their way. It wasn't long before they arrived at their destination a shopping mall. While Ranma had been to the mall before it was usually either to get something for Akane or some other item that the shops closer to the dojo didn't have. Today was different. Akane and he had discussed this the day before and today Ranma was going to buy his first set of girls' clothes. He just hoped his mother wouldn't get too upset when she found out.

While Nodoka, Kasumi and Nabiki searched the racks and counters for something for Kasumi's date. Ranma and Akane took off to find Ranma `s first outfit. "Green," said Akane.

"Huh?" replied Ranma.

"Green," answered Akane. "With your hair and complexion you definitely need something green. How much money do you have?"

Ranma told her.

"Hmmm," pondered Akane. "Not a lot, but enough if we look hard. Come on, this will be fun."

As they searched for the perfect outfit, Ranma couldn't help but keep glancing at Akane. 'Things have changed so quickly,' thought Ranma. 'Not only aren't we fighting, we're getting along. No we're doing better than that.'

A wave of unfamiliar emotion came over Ranma and to his embarrassment tears began to leak from the corners of her eyes. Akane chose that very moment to come over at Ranma, smiling happily.

"Here Ranma, this would look great on you." Then noticing the tears, her expression quickly changed to one of concern. "Ranma, what's wrong, why are you crying?"

"I... I don't know," replied a bewildered Ranma. "I just can't seem to stop."

Akane put down the blouse she was holding and quickly walked over to her fiancé. Taking her hand, she led her over to a nearby couch and sat her down. Akane wrapped one arm around the smaller girls shoulders and pulled Ranma closer to her.

"Talk to me, Ranma," Akane asked softly hugging her gently. "Tell me what's going on."

Ranma laid his head on Akane `s shoulder and took her free hand. For a while she just held Akane 's hand. "Akane can I tell you something?" whispered Ranma.

"Anything," replied Akane.

"When I first went to see Dr. Epstein..." She stopped and then began again. "When I first went to see Dr. Epstein, he asked me a question. I... I... had to splash myself with cold water before I could answer."

"Why?" asked Akane puzzled? "What was the question?"

"He…he asked me if I was happy," replied Ranma, his voice breaking. "And…And I realized I wasn't. I became a girl so I could cry. Isn't that sad? I'm so trapped trying to be a man that I shut off every emotion, every feeling I have. All so I can be `manly'. Oh, Akane, my life is such a mess." The last came out in quiet wail.

Akane heart broke to hear this. "Is that why you're crying?"

"No, that's the funny part." Ranma sniffled. "I'm crying because…because, for a second, just for a second I was happy. And then I got so afraid."

"Afraid? What are you afraid of?" asked Akane.

"I'm afraid it wont last, that something will go wrong, that…" Ranma stopped, unable to continue.

"What Ranma? Please tell me." Asked Akane.

Ranma was silent, and then she whispered, "I'm afraid you'll leave me. Leave me for someone who doesn't have this curse. Someone who can tell you how they feel about you. I'm afraid I'll mess everything up. And then I'll be alone. Again."

Akane gently took Ranma `s head between her hands and looked into her eyes. "Ranma Saotome, you are without a doubt the biggest idiot I ever met," she whispered fiercely.

Ranma tried to pull his head away from her in shock and hurt, but Akane wouldn't let go and continued speaking. "You never gave up on me. Not when I would hit you and insult you. You never gave up. I love you, you idiot." Akane paused to catch her breath. "And you love me. And now that I know that, nothing is ever getting between us again. You hear me Ranma, you're mine and I'm not going to let you go."

"Really?" asked Ranma.

"Really!" said Akane. She then pulled out a tissue and dried Ranma `s eyes. "Now, let's see if that blouse will look as good on you as I think it will. Okay?"

"Okay," replied Ranma hugging Akane. "I love you, tomboy," she whispered.

"I love you too, dummy." Akane hugged her back.

Ranma and Akane spent the remaining time shopping. Akane insisted on making sure that Ranma not only got the blouse, but a matching skirt, and shoes. It was only until Akane led Ranma over to the lingerie section that Ranma began to squirm.

"Do I gotta?" whimpered Ranma.

"Don't be such a baby, Ranma," said Akane, giggling, "It'll be fun, I promise." Then she added, "Besides, while I think your boxers are cute, I don't think they'll go with your new outfit."

Grumbling, Ranma followed Akane around looking for, as Akane put it, `jus the right combination'. "Ah, here they are. Look Ranma this will look just perfect."

Akane handed Ranma a pair of lacy black panties and matching bra and pushed her to a nearby changing room. "Go ahead in a try them on, especially the bra. If it doesn't fit it can get real uncomfortable," she said with a smirk.

Ranma stumbled into the small room, not much larger than her closet at home and it had mirrors on three of its four sides. Quickly disrobing, Ranma had not trouble putting on the panties. Ranma was surprised at how nice they felt on her skin. However, the bra was another matter. After several minutes at struggling with the unfamiliar article of clothing, Ranma was ready to give up.

"Akane?" called Ranma, panic in his voice. "Are you out there?"

"Yes," came Akane `s voice.

"Could... could you help me? Please," pleaded Ranma.

"What's the matter, Ranma?" said Akane coming into the changing room. She took one look at Ranma and burst into laughter. Standing before her was Ranma, wearing panties and a bra. A bra that she had somehow got her right arm stuck under one strap and upside down.

"It's not funny," fumed Ranma.

"Y…hahaha…ye…hahahahaha…yes it is," Akane finally choked out. "How did you manage to do that?"

"Never mind that, just help me get outta this thing,' growled Ranma, her face nearly as red as her hair. "Stop laughing!"

Taking pity, and even though she couldn't stifle all the giggles that kept on coming, Akane helped Ranma out of his entanglement and then helped her get the bra on properly. "Now the blouse and skirt" directed Akane. This was more familiar territory for Ranma and soon where there was once a somewhat tomboyish redheaded sometime-girl standing in front of Akane, there was, well she was stunning. The green blouse set off her hair and complexion perfectly and the matching skirt completed the transformation. Seeing Ranma like this, a little of her old jealousy and resentment surfaced, but just as quickly was submerged as admiration and, Akane admitted to herself, a little bit of lust. 'Well no doubt about it now,' thought Akane. 'I am attracted to at least one girl.'

"Well?" asked Ranma nervously.

"Turn around," commanded Akane, twirling one hand to illustrate. As Ranma twirled slowly, and a little awkwardly around, Akane let out a low whistle of appreciation. "You look wonderful."

"Really?" asked Ranma, looking at herself in the mirrors. "You don't think I look silly?"

"Ranma, I wish I could look half as good," avowed Akane, again feeling a little twinge of jealousy.

Ranma laughed.

"What?" asked Akane a little crossly.

"I was just thinking the same thing about you," she replied.

"Me?" Exclaimed Akane in amazement. "You're kidding right? I mean, look at you. I'd kill for a figure like yours."

"You," confirmed Ranma. "I may have called you uncute, but you've always been the prettiest girl in school. Heck every guy in school wanted to go out with you. It used to make me jealous." She shrugged. "It still does."

Akane was silent for a moment, and then threw her arms around the smaller girl. "I'm such an idiot," she whispered while hugging Ranma.

"Huh?" said Ranma in confusion, enjoying the hug nonetheless.

"Never mind," said Akane "Come on let's go pay for this and go find your mom and my sisters, I'm sure they're wondering where we are."

Ranma quickly stripped and got dressed in her street clothes. The two of them left the changing room, went to a cashier, paid for the clothes and went off to find Nodoka and her sisters.

Their timing was perfect as Nodoka, Nabiki and Kasumi had also completed their shopping and had just returned to the meeting point that they had all agreed upon prior to their separating.

"Akane, Ranma!" called Nabiki. "There you are. We were about to start looking for you. Come on, we have to get back to the house and help Kasumi get ready for her date tonight."

The walk home was uneventful. Walking into the Tendo home, Ranma had a sudden thought. "Uh, Akane?" whispered Ranma, so his mother wouldn't hear. "Would you mind if I kept my new clothes in your room?"

"Of course Ranma," Akane replied. "But why not in your room?"

"Pops," said Ranma, as if that would be explanation enough. Apparently it was as Akane just nodded in understanding.

End Chapter 8