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Disclaimer: Ranma ½ and it's characters are not owned by me, but Rumiko Takahashi. Characters may be out of character. There are also male-to-female transformations (obviously).

*

Recently, the town of Nerima had been a place of some rather crazy things. Strange animals would appear all over the town. A young man with a yellow headband and umbrella could be found searching aimlessly for the local high school. There were reports of womens underwear stolen by a pint-sized bandit, and martial arts battles would happen anywhere, whether it was the ice skating rink, or a gymnastics tournament.

However, on one particular Saturday morning it was a comparatively normal day, especially at the dojo where all the crazy things usually originated. Inside, the moustached owner, Soun Tendo, was reading his newspaper at the table as the smell of steamed rice filled his nostrils. Right next to him was an unusual (but regular) sight: a sopping wet panda watching the television. Suddenly it raised a random wooden sign.

“When is breakfast?” The sign said.

Soun called out to the kitchen. “Kasumi, how long is breakfast? Genma's getting impatient again.”

In the kitchen, one of his daughters, a beautiful young ponytailed woman was cooking. She was the epitome of a wife any man would give up a leg for, as she sweetly hummed a small song to herself. When she heard her father's voice she didn't skip a beat. “It should be ready in about a minute or so. Akane, could you tell Ranma breakfast is almost ready?”

At the table Akane, the youngest daughter with short tomboyish hair, sat up. She was dressed in a yellow skirt and pink cardigan. “Alright.”

“Make sure he's decent.” The bob-cut sporting middle sister Nabiki snarked as she too was watching television. Knowing her, Akane figured she was already scheming how she was going to blackmail some poor sap for money again.

“Yes Nabiki.” Akane chided as she started to take the steps up to Ranma's room. Then-

“FUCK! SHIT!”

Ranma's pained voice cried out, alerting Akane that Ranma was in trouble. Without hesitation, she rushed up the stairs. Whenever Ranma was noisy, that meant trouble was not far behind.

'What is it this time?' She thought. 'Is it Ryoga again? Tatewaki? Kodachi? Mousse? Shampoo? Taro? Happosai?'

SMASH!

She heard the sound of glass shattering when she got to the door, raising Akane's urgency. A cry was one thing, but if things were getting broken, then Ranma must be in all sorts. Without hesitation she burst into the bathroom. “What's happened?” She cried, expecting Ranma to be in the middle of some fight.

Instead, she saw a naked, busty girl with her red hair in a knotted ponytail. Her fist was heavily embedded into the now-broken cabinet mirror. The red-head’s other arm was clutching against her stomach. In the background was the sound of the shower running.

However, this girl was not a strange intruder to Akane. In fact, this girl was also a male martial artist who usually sported his black hair in the same knotted ponytail: her (not by choice) fiance, Ranma Saotome.

The reason for Ranma being female was because of a fateful trip to the Jusenkyo Springs he took with his Dad prior to arriving at Akane's home. Whilst there for training, Ranma had fallen into the Nyannichuan, or Spring of Drowned Girl. Because of a curse there, Ranma now was doomed to become a girl any time he was doused in cold water, with only warm water being able to reverse it. And he wasn't the only one with such a strange condition. The panda happened to be his father Genma, and there were a handful of others she knew that had experienced a similar curse. Akane knew that Ranma wasn't female the night before, and it took the sound of the running shower to inform her what had happened: the water must have gone cold as Ranma was washing himself.

However, this wasn't usually Ranma's typical reaction to transforming. He admitted that he hated it, but he tended to live with it begrudgingly and even used it to his advantage. Today however, the look on her face was one of both fear and terror. She even looked on the verge of tears.

The moment girl-Ranma looked at Akane, her eyes widened and her arms reflexively covered her privates. “GET OUT!”

Akane backed a little, surprised by the sudden hostility. Whenever he was in girl form, Ranma never seemed to care about being nude. He even walked around the house topless on some days (to Akane's chagrin). However, this was the first time Ranma seemed very self-conscious.

“But Ran-”

“GET OUT!” Akane had never heard the girl scream as loud as she did. She immediately closed the door behind her, but not before she glimpsed at the reason for the girl's distress.

Trickling down one of Ranma's legs was a thin stream of blood.

At first she figured it was from the wound on the girl's fist, but she knew the blood couldn't have spilt down there so quickly. That left one other option and the thought made her stomach churn.

Inside she could hear the girl murmur. “Crap, now Akane's gonna have a field day with this! Shit, it hurts so bad! I better not be stuck like this! Fuck that witch! FUCK!”

'Wait,' Akane thought. 'Has this honestly never happened to Ranma? And what's this about a witch?'

Now that she thought about it though, it made sense Ranma hadn't experienced a woman's 'time of the month'. Ranma was never the kind to stay in female form very long. At most she perhaps stayed that way for a few days, even a week when circumstances prevented her from transforming back. She wondered if Ranma was even prepared for such a thing.

The rumble of multiple footsteps took Akane's attention and soon Soun, Nabiki and the Panda showed up. “Is Ranma alright?” They all asked (and in the panda's case, held up a sign).

Akane was about to say something, but then thought about Ranma's terrified expression. It was clear from his hostility that he didn't want others to find out. After all, he was one who prided himself on his masculinity. What would happen if everyone else found out that his girl form had done something to betray this?

“Y-yeah.” Akane lied. “She just became a girl again. I think the water's gone cold. Tell Kasumi to boil some water.”

“Right.” Soun went down stairs. The Panda gave a shrug and sauntered off as well, holding up a new sign, “Tell her to boil some for me too!”

Nabiki was perhaps the most suspicious, keeping her arms crossed. “What was with the sound of broken glass?”

“Oh that. That was just Ranma being Ranma.” Akane nervously laughed, hoping Ranma wouldn't hold it against her.

Nabiki raised an eyebrow, then stared at the door. Akane braced herself against the door, fearing her sister was going to investigate herself. Instead, she shrugged. “Well, I'm sure its something you and your fiance will figure out.”

When they were gone. Akane tapped the door.

“WHAT?” Ranma gave an agitated cry.

Akane cringed, annoyed that Ranma could be so abrasive. “I chased the others away. Father's going to get you some hot water.” She didn't press the matter. It was obvious Ranma was very distraught and raising the issue now wouldn't be a good idea.

“Oh.” Ranma's voice sounded sheepish. “Thanks.” She gave a small cry, a sound Akane knew too well from experience. She knew period's could be uncomfortable, but for a man feeling one for the first time it must've been a nasty shock.

A minute later, Soun came back with a hot kettle of water and gave it to Akane. The tomboyish girl shooed her father away and left the kettle at the door. “I'll leave the hot water here.” She softly spoke, but instead of leaving him be however, she quickly hid herself just as the door opened. She saw Ranma's gentle hand snatch the kettle and shut the door immediately. A minute later, an athletic, pony-tailed man in a singlet and shorts exited the room. He was obviously wet, but relieved. Before his eyes could meet Akane's, she ducked out to the kitchen.

After that Ranma came down, complaining about how the pilot light was out and that it should be fixed. He apologised for breaking the mirror (under the excuse it was an accident) and then wolfed down his breakfast, acting like nothing out of the ordinary happened.

But he never said anything about what was really troubling him. Nor did he say anything about a witch.

*

For a couple of weeks afterwards Akane was afraid to discuss the issue with Ranma. Just because they were in an arranged engagement didn't mean they were always on good terms, let alone in love. It didn't help that Ranma was an insensitive, stubborn ass, who never liked it when something bruised his ego. Even when she gave it some time, she could easily imagine Ranma taking things the wrong way before the two got to arguing again.

However it wasn't like she couldn't leave the issue alone forever. She'd been wondering what Ranma had meant by 'witch'. No matter how long she knew Ranma, she always found out something else bizarre about him, so she wondered what kind of witch had Ranma (or just as likely, Genma) had pissed off, and whether she had anything to do with the marital artist's period.

To add to her concerns, she noticed that after the incident, Ranma started avoiding cold water altogether. He virtually stopped showering and bathing until the shower was fixed, and stayed well clear of the Koi Pond. He didn't even try to drink anything cold with his meals, sticking to warm tea.

Then one day, Akane was walking down the hall to her room with a glass of water. She was just innocently on her way to do some study when she bumped into Ranma. The water didn't quite spill out of the glass, but the moment Ranma noticed it, he immediately jumped back a couple of feet before snapping. “What the fuck, Akane?”

Akane felt hurt for the outburst but tried to keep her cool. “Sorry. I didn't see you.”

“You know I can't touch that stuff!” He retaliated, pointing at the glass.

“So?” Akane huffed. “You can switch back.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What if I don't?”

“What do you mean by that?” Akane asked.

Ranma spat back. “It's none of your business!”

Akane was annoyed by his vagueness. “None of my business? You didn't look fine the other week-”

Ranma's expression turned to one of horror. “Okay! Let's not speak about that!”

Akane noticed the switch in personality. “What? Your per-”

“LALALALALALALALAALALALA!” Ranma covered his ears as he screamed at the top of his lungs.

SLAP!

A red welt formed on Ranma's cheek as he reeled from the slap. Akane snapped back “Stop being childish! I'm trying to help!”

Ranma stared at her, then the glass in her hand. “I know, but haven't you considered that I'd really prefer it that no one else finds out?” He glared at her.

“But Ranma-”

But her fiance was already walking by her. “Just drop it and leave me alone!”

Akane however wasn't going to drop it. Before he got out of reach, she grabbed his wrist. “No I'm not!”

“Let me go.” He tugged at the hand.

“Says who?” Akane furrowed her brow.

“Says me, you idiot!” He spat. Akane however knew this insult well. It was something he always did when he felt annoyed by her presence.

“Don't call me an idiot, you jerk!”

“Uncute fiancee!”

Akane's eye twitched, her hand tightly grasping the glass. She'd been called 'uncute' before but she really hated it when he did it for no good reason. It reminded her of how unfeminine she really felt. Through gritted teeth she snapped back, “Want me to splash you?”

Suddenly Ranma's eyes widened and he virtually jumped away from the girl as if she was a bear. He glared daggers at her, then gently stalked away.

Akane realised she'd crossed a line, “Wait, Ranma! I'm sorry!”

Ranma didn't turn back. “Just stay away from me! Especially with water.” He huffed.

Akane however felt annoyed at herself. She'd let her anger get to her and pushed Ranma away in his time of need. She knew that if something wasn't done, then Ranma might never be able to trust her again. Not that she was ever going to marry him, but her conscience just couldn't let Ranma's worries be left unsolved.

She had to get to the bottom of this.

*

Knock, knock, knock.

“Ranma?”

The pigtailed man sat up from his futon. “What?”

The door opened. Akane poked her head through. “Mind if we talk?”

Ranma groaned. “Akane!” However that failed to stop Akane as she let herself in. Ranma gave a sigh. “What did I tell-”

The door closed behind the girl. “I know, but we're not going to get anything resolved if we keep this up.”

Ranma stood up. “There's nothing wrong-”

“Yes there is.” She raised her voice. “And I'm sick of you pretending there isn't anything wrong!”

Even though Akane was shorter than him, Ranma still felt intimidated by her determination alone. However, his ego wasn't going to let her walk all over him. “And I told you it's none of your business!” He stood up, glaring down at the girl.

Akane didn't budge. “Would you prefer it if I tell Nabiki about your 'problem'?”

Ranma froze. He knew immediately that such delicate information in Nabiki's hands could ruin his reputation. And even if she didn't tell anyone, she would make him pay for the rest of his life.

“You wouldn't!” He tried to call her bluff, but Akane's smirk sealed his fate.

“Alright then.” She then turned towards the door. “Oh, Nab-”

Suddenly Ranma covered her mouth forcibly. “Alright, I'll talk!” He spoke in a hushed whisper. “Just promise me you won't tell anyone about this!”

Akane gave a gentle nod, before he let her go gently. She then made a seat for herself on the futon that Genma usually slept at. “Alright, now what's gotten into you?”

Ranma put a hand up. “Wait, not here.”

Akane felt her eyebrow twitch. “But you said-”

“I will. It just doesn't feel private here.” He motioned to the door. “The Old Man could come in at any minute.”

Akane interjected. “I wouldn't worry. He's watching a film. I'm sure we have at least an hour to kill until then.”

Ranma glared at her wearily, then eyed the room around them. “Is P-Chan anywhere in this house?”

Akane frowned. “Why are you so suspicious? He's just a pig!”

Ranma then nervously laughed, wanting to keep P-chan's true identity a secret out of respect. “Yeah. But you can't be too careful. Pigs might gain the ability to speak someday!”

Akane rolled her eyes at her friend's stupidity. “Even if he could talk, I haven't seen him for days.”

“Right.” Ranma wiped his brow, knowing this was information he didn't want his arch enemy Ryoga (who Akane didn't know could turn into her pet piglet P-Chan) to hear.

Akane crossed her arms. “Would you prefer if we talked outside where I'm sure one of your rivals will try and attack?”

Ranma gave it some thought and quickly made his decision. “Yeah, you got a point.”

“Alright, whenever you're ready.” Akane got herself comfortable, waiting for Ranma to speak.

Ranma took a deep breath, realising he couldn't stall any more. He was admittedly a little frightened on what he was about to say, but he knew that of all the people, Akane was the closest to a trustworthy confidant. However, he would keep telling himself that it totally wasn't because she was cute. “What do you need to know?”

Akane was blunt. “You've never had a period before, have you?”

Ranma stiffened. Akane tensed, expecting Ranma to lash out. However, he managed to mumble out “No. Not really.”

“But you've been cursed for a year or so!”

“Hey, I know I can become a girl!” He snapped. “It's just that I wasn't given a freaking instruction manual on how my girl form works!”

“Is it something to do with why you've been avoiding water?” Akane probed.

The martial artist gave an ashamed nod.

“Why is that? You've never been this hostile about your girl self before.”

Ranma turned away. “You wouldn't understand.”

“It wouldn't hurt to tell me.”

Ranma remained silent. Akane again feared that he would order her to get out. However he finally spoke. “You know how I fell into the spring?”

“Yeah?”

“I didn't tell you the whole story.”

“Huh?” Akane titled her head. “What else was there?”

Ranma looked out the window. “You wouldn't believe me.”

“Try me.” She crossed her arms, ready for whatever Ranma would throw at him. After all, what could be crazier than a spring that could change ones sex?

Ranma paused. Akane couldn't help but notice how he was apparently shaking. Then in a dead serious tone, he spoke:

“I met the girl who drowned there.”

Akane gazed at him, unsure if he was joking. “What?”

Ranma gave her a dirty look. “Akane!”

She snapped back. “Don't snap at me! A little more information would be nice!”

Ranma gave a 'tsk', and recounted the memory he didn't want to relive.

*

I remember we had gone to Jusenkyo because the Old Man kept telling me it was a great place to train. Then again, seeing as his idea of teaching me the Nekoken (Cat Fist) was to dump me in a pit of cats, then I should've been weary from the start how dubious this was.

I should've really picked up something was wrong when the guide there kept warning us how each spring was a place where something had drowned. I thought it sounded creepy, but Dad kept laughing it off. “All the more reason to prove ourselves that a little water doesn't hurt anyone. Right son?”

If only we knew.

When we arrived, the place was quiet and peaceful. All the small springs of water were lined before us, with each marked by a pole sticking out. I distinctly remember the guide telling us something, which I think must've been a warning, but we were so overjoyed about arriving that we dropped everything.

Immediately we jumped onto the poles. Of course, being martial artists we balanced on them easily. Below I could hear the guide yelling at us, but again we took nothing from it.

“Alright, boy.” The Old Man smirked. “Lets see if you've caught up to me.”

“Bring it on, Pops!” Though I already knew that I had his number.

We both then flew for each other with kicks, trying to see who could knock each other off. It didn't take long for me to kick him into one of the springs. I heard a satisfying splash as I landed on a nearby pole, smirking at my victory. I expected the Old Man to come out of the spring, laugh it off, and challenge me again. Then I'd just kick his ass over and over again until we'd got tired and find something to eat.

Instead, a panda shot out of the water.

“Huh?” I asked. Where had that come from?

It was then that I heard the Jusenkyo guide below me lament about how Pops had fallen into the Spring of Drowned Panda, and now was the panda!

I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. The Panda before me was Pops? It couldn't be!

Before I knew it, the Panda had made a flying leap at me. I tried to counter, but a giant black paw copped me in the face and I felt myself fly off the pole. The last memory I had before hitting the water was seeing the crystal clear surface of the spring hurtling toward me.

SPLASH!

Suddenly water surrounded me. I plunged deeper and deeper, still trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. I mean, people just didn't become Panda's out of the blue!

Then I remembered something. These springs were meant to be cursed, right? Which had I fallen into? I tried to swim up, afraid of what I was about to become.

And then things got weird.

How can I describe it? One second I was surrounded in water, starting to drown. The next, I was suddenly standing on dry land, outside of a hut with stick walls and a straw roof. I was even breathing the air fine.

“Huh, weird.” I shrugged it off, starting to figure that everything until now had been a dream. Maybe I was still on my way to the springs and had fallen asleep. I mean, people becoming Panda's? What next?

However, I didn't remember encountering this hut before on our travels, nor could I see Pops anywhere. Of course he'd leave me behind and do whatever! Even my bag was gone! How was I supposed to find him and the Spring?

Then I heard the sound of singing from inside the hut. It was a sweet and alluring voice, and gave me some hope. There was no door so I let myself inside.

Big mistake.

Inside was very basic. There were some chairs, a table with a basket of vegetables sitting on top, and a makeshift bed of straw on one corner of the house. I guess the first weird thing I noticed was how on the table there were also various herbs and spices and books that made me think of a medicine maker. But there were also animal bones, and even a couple of skulls. That alone sent a shiver through me.

But it was the girl washing herself that drew my attention.

Just to be clear, I didn't mean to stare. I just didn't expect the girl to be naked as she sat on a stool and calmly doused herself with a bucket. Besides, she had her back turned to me at the time. All I could really see was the curtain of red hair that covered her back.

The second I realised she was bathing I quickly turned around and started to make my way out, but my dumb leg bumped into a stool or something and I suddenly lost my balance. I managed to correct myself but the damage had been done.

The girl had stopped bathing.

“So, you've disturbed my home?” She said.

I froze, thinking I was in for it now. Meekly I said. “L-look, I'm sorry. Funny story really. I was on my way to Jusenkyo and suddenly I was here and-”

The girl stood up, her back still turned. “As I said, you disturbed my home.”

“It's not my fault! My Father-”

Suddenly the girl turned around, revealing her stark naked body. At the time I hadn't seen many girls my age, let alone naked girls, but I thought she was quite beautiful. She was lithe, but had curves in the right places. Even her breasts (which I only peeked at) were very big and perky. Her long wavy red hair was accompanied by her bright, baby blue eyes and pert lips which were in a mischievous smile.

I swear I looked away at that point. I may be a guy, but that doesn't mean I'm a pig like Kuno of that Freak Happosai.

However her sweet voice just...well, it turned my veins to ice. “So, you like what you see then?”

I swear I didn't look back, but she had me trapped. What was I supposed to say? Do I lie? Then she'd accuse me of calling her ugly. Do I tell the truth and fess up that I saw her naked? Well, that's my death warrant right there. I was screwed either way!

So I did what anyone from the School of Anything Goes Martial Arts would do in this scenario: run away!

I started to bound away and thought I was making some distance on the hut when suddenly I felt something grip around my left wrist. I tried to barge onward but something was keeping me in place. I turned to my arm to see what the hold up was.

A red, clammy slither of rope was wrapped tightly around my wrist. I tried moving my wrist but the rope didn't yield.

“The Hell?” I grunted, turning to the source of this rope. I soon noticed that it snaked towards the girl and then vanished into her long, red locks.

“Uh, uh, uh!” She wagged her finger at me. “You saw me in my most vulnerable state. You have to pay the price.”

Believe it or not, I still hadn't caught on how ominous she was being, though that sinister smirk of hers was starting to give me the creeps. “I didn't mean to!” I sweated as she caught up to me. “I-I'll do anything if you don't rat me out!”

But she was too distracted to listen, instead eyeing my body up and down. “My, a good specimen of a man, aren't you? I haven't met your kind for a long time.”

“I-is that so?” I nervously laughed, yet also honoured at her compliment. “Guess that makes me special?”

“It sure does.” She licked her lips as she squeezed my right bicep. I didn't think much of it at the time but her hands were cold and wet. “I haven't punished a good man in, let me think, 200 years.”

That was when I realised something was wrong. “200 years?”

Suddenly, her entire hand squeezed my bicep hard. I tried to shake her off but her grip strength was like that of an eagles.“Yes. After all, I am the sorceress who was executed here.”

My expression froze. Executed? But she was right here before me? Wasn't she?

“Wha-” I didn't even get a word out when I felt a massive sting from where she had gripped me. As she let go, I gripped the spot in pain. “Hey, what was tha-AGHHHH!”

My entire right arm was cramping violently. When I investigated it, I was stunned. I saw a small scratch that was glowing a slight pink, and from that my veins were visibly throbbing!

“W-what are you doing?” I suppressed a scream, managing to yank away from her hair's grip. However that didn't stop the pain from travelling along my arm, and onto my hand.

The girl only stood there observing me. “Why, punishing the pervert of course.”

I was gonna to ask what she meant, but then my arm and hand gave a simultaneous sharp CRACK. Fearing it was broken I held onto it, feeling some venomous force attack my flesh. Then before my eyes, the muscle I'd worked hard to achieve shrivelled away. I swear I even felt like my strength was vanishing.

My hand was the same. As if someone had smashed a hammer into it, my fingers contorted and disfigured in a succession of painful throbs. I groaned, trying to suppress the pain, but soon I noticed they were also shrinking, sinking into my palm like a tortoise into its shell. Finally the pain started to subside and the last of my fingers changed with a few pops. When I examined them I was in for a shock.

My entire arm was just about dwarfed by my gi sleeve and seemed half it's original size. My hand wasn't much better, as years of callouses and powerful muscle were replaced by slender fingers and creamy silk skin. It reminded me of something.

“Awww, such a cute hand.” The girl smirked, putting her hand against my disfigured one. “Does it remind you of anyone?”

I did notice. Her hand was the same as mine.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?” I snarled, jumping away from her presence in case she tried to pull another stunt.

“As I said, I'm punishing you.” She said in a sing-song voice which really pissed me off.

“For looking at you?”

She twirled a lock of crimson hair around her finger. “Precisely. In my opinion that's what all you men deserve.”

“I'm not a pervert!” I screamed.

Then as if to rub it in my face, she traced one of her fingers around her nipple. “Really?”

I turned around. “N-NO!” I hoped I wasn't blushing, but her playful chuckle only made me flustered. “Change my arm back!”

“I'm afraid I can't do that.” She said. “As soon as I activate the curse, I can't do anything else. Speaking of which, what's taking your shoulder so long?”

“My wha-”

CRACK!

“AGHHH!” I fell to my knees feeling my shoulder explode. I could feel the bone pressing into my body, and my ribcage digging into my organs. Worse still is that it didn't subside as the pink light consumed my upper body. I felt something like acid burn along my collarbone, as bones started to grind and rub underneath my skin.

CRACK!

My left shoulder caved in, before the cramps intensified around my left arm and the whole process began again. As I writhed around in pain, I could hear the witch laugh before me.

“My my. What's the matter?” I could hear her chide above me. “Lost your manly strength?”

“Shut-up!” I grunted, making an effort to get back up, as I tried to fight off the aches around my ribcage. Then-

PSSSSSSSSH.

Suddenly all the air in my lungs sucked out. Or rather, something was squeezing them out. I once more collapsed, struggling to breathe.

“Little word of advice, breathe in.” She spoke before I felt another painful crack within my ribs.

“AGHHH!” I almost passed out, but I knew I'd disappoint my dojo if I did. I wasn't gonna give her the satisfaction of beating me. Soon the suffocation passed and I could breathe again. However, I knew immediately that the solid heaviness of my body from before was gone. I knew from the way my robes were loose against my skin that I'd lost more mass. My already-changing arm was still popping and throbbing from its recent changes, the pink glow fading.

Suddenly, I felt something cold touch my shoulder. At first I thought it was part of the transformation, but then almost yelped when I saw the sorceress kneeling beside me.“My, I'm surprised you're still up after all that! You're indeed something special.”

“Damn you!” I gritted my teeth, trying to grab her with my transformed arm, but she dodged it easily.

“Ooh, we have a fighter do we?” She seemed amused by my suffering.

“Yeah, so?” I winced, wiggling my fingers to prove their mobility. It still ached a little but it was fading.

She smirked, standing over me.“Alright then, let's play a game. If you can get a hit off of me before you leave my realm, I'll consider changing you back.”

In hindsight, I should've known it was too good to be true. However, I was so caught up in anguish that I was more than willing to do the same. Besides, my pride was on the line. I never lost a challenge I'd been offered and I certainly didn't want to lose to her!

“Don't you dare underestimate me!” I spat, then lifted myself using one hand. I lifted my leg and curled it over myself, aiming for her head. I managed to flip forwards toward where her body was, landing on my feet. I looked up ready to strike-

But soon found there was no one ahead of me.

“Huh?” I suddenly felt something ice cold tap me on the shoulder. I turned. It was her.

“Hey!”

She crossed her arms and shook her head. “What part of the word 'sorceress' did you not listen to?”

Then, I saw a large, red spike rise by her shoulder like a cobra, made from her own hair. Before I could process it, the spike pounced toward me. I managed to dodge it, but only just. My legs felt like lead compared to my lighter upper half, and it took every ounce of my power to just jump away. Just to add insult to injury, her thrusts only became faster and faster, and I could feel my back start to ache but I suppressed the pain as long as I could.

PUNCH. PUNCH. PUNCH.

By some miracle I was still dodging her strikes, even if my legs were screaming from lactic acid.“Jeez, use a bit too much mousse?” I joked, but I spoke too soon.

POP!

“FUCK!” I fell onto my back as I felt my spine compress violently. It was like a barbell had fallen onto my shoulders. I fell to the ground, almost paralysed by the pain, which quickly shot down my legs.

POP. CRACK.

“UGHHHH!” I screamed, unable to move my legs as I felt my joints pop out of place. It was the only thing I could do without passing out. Soon the pain passed and the feelings got back to my legs. Already I could tell from the way my pants flopped that my limbs were indeed smaller. All the time I could hear that wretched girl prance around me.

“Try kicking me now.” She taunted, her hair reverting to its normal shape, as if she didn't need it any more.

I was enraged. It was like she didn't think she could lose. I tried to get up but I almost felt like jelly. My cuffs were pooling at my feet and I felt uncoordinated with my new centre of balance.

Suddenly I felt a voice right by my ear. “Awww, you poor thing. Hardly the image of grace I imagine from a girl.”

I jumped away from the voice and turned to find she was standing right before me. I hadn't even noticed she'd gotten close again. “Stop doing that!”

“My, what's the matter? You look pale.” She batted her eyelashes in mock concern.

“Huh, what do you mean-” I touched my face. Was that changing too?

“Let me fix that.” She then flicked me in the forehead. However this wasn't some ordinary flick. I instantly felt a migraine the moment she touched me. I could see a pink light glow around my vision and feel the pulsing between my ears get louder.

CLICK. CRACK.

I winced as I fell over from the disorienting pain spreading through my face and skull, but even before I saw the damage I could tell my features felt wrong. My nose felt too small and my skin too smooth. Then I felt my throat seize up and I almost felt like I was being suffocated by a massive hand. And all the while I could hear that mocking, playful laughter. I swear I wanted to smash her face in that moment.

Finally, after a massive cough, I could feel my entire head recover and air flow through my windpipe again. I glared at the witch as she stood before me. “You think this-” I stopped and examined my neck. That wasn't my voice! It was a sweet, high-pitched sort of tone which sounded eerily familiar. Again I heard her laughter.

The witch had conjured an ancient-looking mirror with a gold trim. “Here. I'll think you'll like my newest piece of art!”

I didn't want to, but I had to make sense of what was happening. Then I saw my face.

Or rather, her face.

Everything about my face was gone. Gone where the angular lines, the strong nose, my thin lips. All of it was replaced by softer jawline, a button nose, fuller lips and a large pair of baby blue eyes that were dusted with purple eye-shadow. If it wasn't for my black ponytail, I wouldn't know it was me.

“MY-MY FACE!” I winced at the feminine voice screaming back.

“Oh wait, I forgot to add the finishing touch!” I felt her hand pat me on the head, the coldness of her touch almost feeling like fire on my scalp. I winced, fearing the worst as the burning intensified and spread along my roots.

Then the sensation vanished.

I opened my eyes. My hair was completely red. If not for my ponytail, I could easily be seen as her twin. And I had her voice too.

I stared longer, trying to make sense of what I was becoming. All my life I'd had it hammered into my head that I had to become a manly man amongst men. The more I trained the more I became proud of the body I'd developed, feeling I could make him and the dojo proud. But now everything I'd worked hard for was disappearing by the second and I couldn't even recognise myself. All I saw was the witch's face, staring back.

I was becoming her.

SMASH! My fist went through the wrench's little toy, as if it would destroy what I'd just seen.

“Awww, you broke my mirror!” She smirked mockingly. “That's seven years bad luck! Unlucky for you, I think it will be a lot longer!”

“TURN ME BACK!” I yelled, my fists clenched in case she tried to throw something at me.

But she just casually threw away the mirror and dusted off her hands. “Heh. You're feisty. I like that.”

“CAN IT!” I yelled. “GIVE ME MY BODY BACK!”

“And if I don't?” She again circled around me with that coy smile. “If anything I'm giving you a gift.”

“What ya' mean, gift?” I motioned to my smaller body. “I'm a man, dammit!”

“Funny, you don't look like one.” She stuck her tongue out.

I stomped my foot, watching her hair trail close to the ground, but never touching it. “Stop playing games!”

“Admit it, you love the way I look.” She placed both her arms around her head and thrust her chest out. “I can tell from the way you look at me.”

I suddenly realised I was falling for her trap. I forced my eyes shut. “HA! I'm not looking at you now!”

PULSE.

I froze as I felt something start to warm up in my chest, heavily concentrated around my nipples. I moaned as a shiver went through me.

“Heh.”

“W-what?” I was getting fed up with her laughter.

“I was wondering when they were growing in.”

I consciously covered my chest, starting to get the idea. “What you mean?”

THROB.

“Hgnnnn!” A wave I could only describe as energy jolted from my nipples, which worryingly were starting to stand to attention. Even through my gi, I could see a faint glow from underneath my shirt. I didn't want to give away my concern, so I put myself into a fighting stance, fists at the ready to strike.

“Enjoying that?” She gave a knowing smile.

“Shut up!” I charged toward her, but as soon as I got close, she somehow managed to disappear before me. Suddenly, something soft was digging into my back and two ice-cold hands were wrapped around my chest. Maybe it was the unexpectedness, but I found myself frozen from shock.

“Awww, come on, don't hide them from me.” Her voice oozed into my ear, as I felt a strong pull from one of my nipples.

“HEY!” I tried to swipe at her, but she had already had backed away. However both sides of my chest were already throbbing harder and harder. It was getting hard to concentrate.

“Admit it. That felt good.” The witch fondled one of her own breasts. I had to look away, no matter how much she was trying to seduce me.

“No it didn't!” I felt my face get hot, as the flesh around my nipples started to pucker. I had to keep telling myself I wasn't getting horny.

“Oh, that's not what the bulge down there thinks.” She eyed my groin. “I think you liked the feeling of them pressing on your back.”

“I-I didn't!” But I couldn't help thinking of the cold, soft flesh digging into my back. 'Dammit', I thought, 'why did she have to be so stacked!' But then-

PULSE!

Suddenly, something from my chest bloomed outwards. I froze, noting the heavier weight pressing against the material of my gi jacket.

No. It couldn't be!

She rubbed her chin. “What do we have here?”

I didn't look, hoping I was imagining things, but the weight underneath was not going away. “Nothing!”

“Aww, don't be shy!” She then waved her finger.

PSHHH!

“AH!” I gasped, as the front of my gi shirt opened out by itself and I saw them. Instead of a muscular, or even a flat chest, I saw two soft, round mounds poking out, dotted by rose-pink nipples that stood out like pencil erasers. They were only half the size of the witch before me, but I knew what they were.

Breasts. I had freaking breasts!

“Awww, how cute!” She didn't even try to hide her sadistic smile. “You're growing up so fast!”

I closed my shirt quickly, but her giggle told me she was enjoying the sight of me squirming. At this point I was getting really pissed.“That's it!” I screamed, deciding to go at her again.

Again she dodged, but by this point I was more determined. I was gonna get my body back or die trying. I tried to get a hit any way I could, using faster and more reckless strikes. Then, I saw an opening, right at her left shoulder. I smirked, knowing I had her and reached out for that spot.

But then she made a dastardly move.

SQUEEZE!

“AHHHHH!” I screamed, feeling her freezing hand squeeze my breast. I was so stunned I couldn't react.

All the while she casually groped. “Enjoy that?” She smirked, her icy fingers were like worms violating my skin.

I jerked away, making sure my body was far away from her cold grasp. “NOT FAIR!” I spat, disgusted with her sneaky move.

“Come on.” She scoffed. “I know you liked feeling a hand on soft flesh. I bet you can't wait to feel them up when they're nice and full!”

I tried to ignore her thoughts but now she'd said it, I could only imagine her ice-cold hand digging into my flesh, feeling the round expanse of my chest. Dammit, it did look very soft and perky- wait, what was I thinking!

“S-Stop-”

BOING!

An intense force almost pushed me onto the ground. I kept my footing, but I already knew something was wrong. I could feel the same weight on my chest, but it was heavier. I looked down, pleading to all the Gods that it wasn't what I thought it was.

And I saw the vast valley of cleavage bursting out of my top, with two, silky peach-coloured globes on either side.

“AHHHHH!” I yelped, consciously covering my chest so she wouldn't have the satisfaction of exposing me again. However, it didn't stop my arms from brushing against the new weight. I had to shiver at such an alien sensation.

The sorceress meanwhile gave a laugh and clapped. “Bravo, bravo! The boobs are always my favourite part!”

However, the thought of having massive breasts was getting to me. If not for my “Little Ranma” I could already pass for a cute young girl. But I wasn't a girl. I wasn't supposed to have these...things on my chest, or a body so small. Immediately I thought back to when she touched my chest. She felt so forceful that it really unnerved me. I just couldn't process that I was a man with some of the biggest tits I'd ever seen. It felt like more of myself had been castrated...

...which meant the rest wasn't far behind.

'OH HELL NO!'

At that moment, all I wanted to do was to beat her.

“Come here you!” Without thinking I again charged at her. This time she just stood there, as if waiting for something, then...

CRACK.

“AGHHHHHHH!” The worst pain imaginable wracked through my hips. It was as if something was trying to tear them apart. I keeled over at the girl's feet, almost shedding a tear at this pain. Then the pain was soothed into a dull throb as I felt something from under my skin push out against my pants.

“Ah yes, that's more like it.” She graced her hands over my rear and pelvis. I squirmed feeling her icy hands caressing over curves I didn't remember having before. “Nice and wide. I'm sure you'll turn a lot of heads with this asset.”

I shivered at that line. There was something about the thought of a man seeing me like this that sat unwell with me.

Then, with a whisper, she added. “As soon as I'm done with you, I'm sure you'll use those childbearing hips to good use.”

I suddenly felt enraged hearing that. How dare she say that I would even swing that way? I may not have a lot of experience in love but I knew very well what I didn't like and there was no way in Hell I was gonna become some man's concubine and shoot out babies!

“I'm not gay!”

“Huh?”

“I SAID, I AM NOT FUCKING A MAN!” I swung a fist at her, gender be damned. She'd already twisted my body into this shape, but I wasn't going to give up without a fight.

Immediately, she dodged my attack but I was already on the counter with a swift kick. Again she dodged, but I'm sure I was closer. If only she hadn't shrunk my legs! However she didn't even make a frown. “Ooooh, you're still feisty!” She laughed. “Not many of my victims are usually willing to fight me by this point!”

I didn't care what she said though. I was gonna force her to give me my body back, magic spells be damned! I kept flying as many kicks and punches at her, getting more and more adjusted to my new form. I really started to believe I could do it. More and more my attacks were getting close to the mark.

“My, you're quite good.” She giggled. “I never get a lot of martial artists here.”

“Shut up lady!” I huffed between thrusts. “Turn me back and I won't hit you!”

“Why? Is it because I'm a girl and you're a boy?”

I suddenly lowered my leg. “What are you-”

THUD.

By the time I realised I'd screwed up, the worst pain imaginable exploded through my guts. To describe it would be doing it injustice, but the source was from a well-toned leg that had smashed it's way into my groin. I keeled over, clutching my stomach as the pain intensified, consuming everything to the point I couldn't feel my crown jewels.

Then I realised I couldn't feel anything there. No pain. Nothing.

The girl crossed her chest, satisfied. “There, now we're equals.”

Suddenly, the penny dropped.

“No.” I murmured, noticing the pink energy from before was fading from my groin.

“No!” I fumbled around, looking for some sign my manhood was there.

“NO!” I panicked, not feeling anything. I kept searching, putting my hands down my pants in case I wasn't feeling things right. But when I reached in, the horrifying realisation fully hit me.

I was 100% girl.

I didn't know what to think. It was all gone. No bulge, no mangled mess, nothing. It was as if my body had consumed it and everything was inside.

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I wept.

For most of my life I prided on my martial arts talent more than anything. But not only had I been beaten, I wasn't even able to protect the masculinity I prided on the most. Now I was a stacked, vulnerable young woman sitting in an oversized gi, and the perp was standing before me. I wasn't even sure if the worst was over yet.

“Hmmm, not too shabby.” I could hear her hum. “Then again, everyone I encounter is blessed with my beauty so I shouldn't be surprised.”

My blood boiled. My entire manhood had been crushed before her eyes and she treated it like it was nothing? I already experienced a lot of crap: being away from my mother, the whole nekoken fiasco, the many times Dad sold me for food; but this was the worst thing that could happen to me and she didn't even care?

“YOU!” I lashed out. “YOU DID THIS!”

“Just doing my job.” She gave a mock wink in my direction but I had enough.

I lunged at her. I didn't care if I was gonna hurt her. She ruined me, so now she had to pay. “DIE!” I lunged, my fist spiralling towards her.

Then, suddenly my entire body froze again. She only stood there impassively.

“HEY! LET ME GO!” I struggled against the force, but found I couldn't move.

She only smiled at me and spoke. “Foolish girl. Did you forget something?”

I was about to ask, but suddenly my throat seized up. Suddenly the world around us started to ripple and warp. She caressed my jawline (the cold finger making me shiver), not even affected by what was going on. I couldn't help but wonder if her skin was always this ghostly white. Or transparent.“It was nice playing with you Hun, but I'm afraid if you stay here any longer, you'll drown.”

“BAGDHDH” I tried to scream but I could feel something cold entering my mouth as the whole environment disappeared into dark, murky water. The girl grew more and more transparent, as if she'd been a ghost this whole time. But I could still feel the frost of her fingers on my face.

“I'll give you some parting advice.” She said. “You're not entirely a woman and as with most springs here you'll change back when you're doused with hot water. However-

I couldn't even speak back, trying my best not to lose consciousness as her eyes started to glow red, almost overshadowing her disappearing body.

“I kinda, sorta tampered with this spring before I was executed here.”

My eyes widened. What the Hell did she mean by that?

“Funny story. I was going play a prank on the men who dared tried to do me wrong, but then they caught me and I ended up here instead. Let's just say, when you get your first period, it will be the beginning of the end. Good luck!” Then, her entire visage disappeared, but the faint glow of her red eyes lingered as her cackle invaded my ears until there was nothing but darkness around me.

But I had no time to find her, I had to get out of here.

As I tried to hold back the rush of water into my lungs, I looked around for an exit and spotted the blue of the sky above. Forcing myself upward, I started to swim. At times I felt my vision blur, fearing I was gonna pass out. However I kept pushing myself, the cold embrace of the water crushing me.

Then...

“AHHHHHHHHH!” Crisp air filled my lungs as I reached the surface. For a moment I took a few deep breaths to regain my composure.

'I'm alive!' I thought as I felt a great ease. Yet I couldn't help but feel something was off about my body. Was I always this heavy at the front?

Then I looked down, and saw two massive tits on my chest.

“WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“The rest is history. We were gonna find the Spring of Drowned Man but then we got involved with that stuff with Shampoo and the Amazon village and you know how that turned out. We were forced to flee and now here I am, half-girl and...” He paused, as if afraid to say the rest. “Maybe not for much longer.” The boy was now trembling, his voice a lot meeker than it had been.

He hadn't told all the details (in particular, he never told Akane about how the witch was naked), but he otherwise recounted what he knew. At times he could feel his anger rising up, but Akane had touched his arm to keep him in check. He never knew why he seemed to be comfortable talking to Akane. Maybe it was because that whilst she was a girl, she felt like one of the boys when he spoke to her.

Akane in the meantime patiently through the whole tale. At first she thought he was being delusional, yet there more he talked, the more she could sense his distress. She hadn't been through his experience but she did feel that whatever it had been, he had become stirred by it.

“So...you might become a girl full time?”

“I-I think that's what she said.” Ranma looked at his feet.

“You really didn't seem to mind changing before.”

“Doesn't mean I like it.” Ranma muttered. “Besides, I really thought it was an hallucination, and as long as I wasn't having my...time of my month, I figured I was safe. But then-”

“I get it.” Akane raised a hand. “Don't force yourself to say it.”

“Akane?”

“I know how much you take pride in your manhood.” She insisted. “If I had to go through that but in reverse, I don't think I could take it.” She especially knew the feeling. All her life she'd been self-conscious about her own femininity. As a little girl she was always jealous of Kasumi's beauty and how she caught the attention of a certain man. She even grew her hair long, hoping it would catch the attention of that certain man, only to gain the attention of the wrong people instead.

Ranma only sulked, pulling his knees up to his chin. “Now you know why I hate being a girl so much. When I saw my reflection in the mirror the other day, all I could see was that wrench laughing at me and I just lost it.”

Akane couldn't help but feel bad for Ranma. The Ranma she knew was cocky, if not a bit abrasive and insensitive. However, it was very rare that she even saw him in such a state of vulnerability. “So, you think it's permanent?”

Ranma winced at her words as if it was a slap. “Unless I find a cure, then maybe.”

“And you've told no one this whole time?”

He gave her a glare. “What do you think?”

Akane decided not to press it. After all, Ranma had virtually a whole rogues gallery of rivals who could easily exploit, or even rejoice about his dying masculinity. She could maybe imagine Ukyo and maybe Shampoo respecting him. Hell, even his rival Ryoga might be able to sympathise. However, she wasn't sure about Mousse, or Kuno, or even that perverted freak Happosai. She even shuddered just thinking of the latter. Ranma seemed to be thinking the same thing because he shuddered too.

“Wait,” Akane mused, “would that mean Mousse and Ryoga also have such spells?”

Ranma waved his hand dismissively. “I doubt it. The witch said it only applied to her spring, and I asked Pops once what he experienced when he first changed, and he couldn't remember anything.”

Akane then had a thought. “You know, you could find out what the spell's side effects are.”

“Hmmmm?”

“Cologne's from China right? She'll know a thing or two about the springs.”

Ranma rolled his eyes. “Hey, I don't want Shampoo to find out!”

Now it was Akane's turn to glare. “Why, you thinking of marrying her?”

“Not like that!” Ranma looked away sheepishly. “I'm just not ready to tell anyone else.”

Akane sighed. “It wouldn't hurt to try. You might be worrying about nothing.”

Ranma eyed her suspiciously, as if not trusting her words. However, he relented. “Can you call her here?”

(To be continued)