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Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2 or it's characters. Characters may come off as out-of-character.

*

For a little old crone who'd lived for centuries, Cologne knew how to make a dynamic entrance. “Ah, my would-be grandson, hows things?” The wrinkled lady sat at their window sill, cane in hand.

Ranma eyed her with suspicion, knowing the old lady had a history of finding an opportunity to have him elope with her great granddaughter Shampoo. “Is it just you?”

“Ranma!” Akane exclaimed. “I told her to come in private.”

“You can't be too careful.” Ranma mumbled back.

The elder raised a small hand. “You can relax Ranma, I'm not here to cause a ruckus. I came here in private on Akane's request.” With ease she hopped onto the floor before the two youths. “You wanted to know more about the sorceress at Nyannichuan?”

Ranma widened his eyes. “You know?”

“Of course. I've lived in China for most of my life. I think I know a thing or two about Jusenkyo.”

“You didn't say anything before.”

“You never asked.” Her eyes narrowed at Ranma. “But what makes you want to know now?”

Ranma was hesitant. He told Akane not to bring up the PMS issue, but now Cologne was here, he had no choice. “I-I had a visit from aunt flow the other day. As a girl.”

The old lady's eyes widened. “I figured that was the case. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner.”

Akane asked. “Is it bad?”

Cologne mused. “What do you know about the witch?”

Ranma told her everything he knew, again trying to avoid anything suggestive in Akane's presence. When he was finished, the old lady mused and nodded her head.

“I see.” She mused. “The first thing you need to know is that the witch is a vengeful spirit. Stories say that she was a beautiful woman, and talented at witchcraft. However, her beliefs and methods did not sit well with the villagers, especially with the men. They tried to take advantage of her beauty, but she always retaliated with curses and various spells that brought them to ruin. Eventually they got fed up and threw her into the spring 1500 years ago.”

“Yeah, I got the gist, Old Ghoul.” Ranma seemed impatient. “Get to the point.”

Colgone glared at Ranma's rudeness, but carried on. “She said that it was the beginning of the end, right?”

He nodded, fearing the worst.

“I was afraid to tell you this, Ranma, but,” she gave a dramatic pause, “you probably have 10 years left. Maybe less if you're exposed to cold water more often.”

“I'M GONNA DIE?” Ranma yelled, prompting Akane to muzzle him.

“Ranma!” She hissed, pointing to her family downstairs. She then turned to Cologne. “What do you mean he has 10 years?”

“You misunderstood me.” Cologne shook her head. “But its still bad news. I meant Ranma only has 10 years of being a man before the sorceresses spell completely consumes him.”

“What?” Ranma exclaimed.

Akane put an arm in front of her fiance, worried he was about to lash out. “You sure? You're really sure?”

The elder nodded. “The witch was vengeful. No man who abused her got away with anything less than a complete transformation. Even if you meant no harm, I'm afraid her hatred of men doesn't discriminate.”

“What do you mean I have 10 years of manhood?” Ranma asked.

The elder stayed silent, but spoke methodically. “The Nyannichuan spring is different from other springs. For people like Shampoo and Mousse, when they fell into their respective springs, they simply became the animal who drowned there with only hot water allowing them to turn back. But you Ranma are a very unlucky case. If what I hear is correct, then your first menstruation means that your days of switching back and forth will come to an end.”

“So...I become a girl when I next get wet?”

“Not exactly.” She mused. “The witch likes to toy with her victims. That is something you experienced yourself, correct?”

Ranma again nodded, but each time he did, it felt like he was closing in on a death sentence.

“Your complete transformation won't be instantaneous. You'll continue to switch back and forth, but soon your male form will start sporting feminine assets. Eventually, if you become wet with cold water enough, you'll end up becoming a girl inside and out. Forever. Not even the Spring of Drowned Man will help.”

It felt like Ranma had been punched in the lungs. He only sat there, processing what the elder told him. “I-I'll be stuck?”

Akane sat there. “This-this is some joke, right?”

The elder shook her head. “I never joke. I'm sorry I didn't report this to you sooner, but I'm sure Shampoo will accept you whatever you are.”

“SHUT UP!” Ranma sniffed. “SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

Then, before anyone could act, the martial artist got up and ran out of his room.

“Ranma!” Akane called out but she never felt so helpless.

“I really feel for him.” The elder woman shook her head. “He banks so much of himself on his masculinity. But you can only go far on one asset.”

“You didn't have to be so harsh with the news.” Akane cried.

“Yes, but I think Ranma knew what was coming. Have faith in him. He'll come to terms when he's ready.”

Akane however couldn't wait for Ranma to come back. Even if he got on her nerves, he was still her friend and one of the few people she felt comfortable around. She couldn't bear the thought of him being alone with his issues.

“Sorry, but I've never seen him this distraught.” She bowed to the older woman. “I need to see him.”

“Need?” Cologne scratched her chin. “That's curious.”

“What?”

“Nevermind. I'll see myself out. Go see him if you must.”

“Thank you.” Akane bowed before rushing out the room.

Cologne looked out the window and sighed, thinking of the short haired girl's concern. “Why do I sense that Shampoo has already lost?”

*

Akane didn't even stop to acknowledge her family's concerns when she left the house to search the streets for Ranma. However, he already had a head start and it wasn't long before she lost sight of him. She soon started searching for all the possible places he could be. She tried the Cat Cafe, but other than a confused Shampoo, didn't find anyone. She came across U-chan's, but it was already closed for the night and from the lack of light it seemed Ukyo was asleep. She tried the school, but obviously he wasn't there. Same went for Dr Tofu's. She even came across the house where the old lady there would always douse the road outside with water. She saw a familiar puddle, but she didn't know if that was made recently or a while ago.

She started asking random civilians if they'd seen a pony-tailed young man (or woman) in Chinese silks, but to no avail. Pretty soon she'd searched most of the familiar sites of the city, except for Kuno's house (and she knew that unless Kodachi had kidnapped him, there was no way Ranma would even set foot there).

She started looking around possible places, looking high on rooftops and through empty lots, trying to remember the places Ranma liked to sulk. She finally crossed by the park where she heard a faint noise. It was similar to small wooshes of wind, as if fists were cutting through the air. Being a martial artist herself, she knew very well what those noises were.

Following her instinct, she kept an ear out for the sound, before coming to a clearing where a lone figure was making strikes in their air with their fists and legs.

It was a female figure sporting a familiar ponytail, with a small trail of droplets heading away from her.

Akane stopped, realising that her fiance must have gotten wet on the way here. As much as she wanted to see Ranma was ok, she felt it was best to wait it out first. Ahead, Ranma was pulling off as much of her training routine as she could, but the more she trained the more her cries of “Hi-YAH!” got more and more emotional. Soon her graceful movements showed signs of wavering, before she let out an anguished scream and collapsed to her knees, clutching her stomach.

“DAMMIT!” She beat the ground with her fist, creating a small crater. “Why me?”

Akane was tentative to leaving. It was obvious Ranma was not in a mood to see anyone. But she just couldn't stand to abandon the poor girl either.

'Here goes', Akane took a deep breath, before her started to approach the crying girl.

“Hey.” She said in a small voice, hoping Ranma wouldn't interpret it as mocking.

Ranma looked up, her red hair still appearing wet under the streetlight. “What do you want?” She sniffed.

Akane approached the downtrodden girl. “It's just me.”

Ranma gave her a glare but didn't move from her sulking spot, instead wiping her eyes. “Figures.”

Akane stopped a few feet from the girl, then lowered herself to Ranma's eye level. “Listen, I know Cologne made it sound very bleak, but maybe you should try seeing the positives.”

“Like what? That I'll have a bigger bust size than you with or without water?”

Akane had to fight the urge to knock him on the head. “Don't test my patience!”

“Hmph.” She turned away. “Look, I know you're trying to make me feel better but its not gonna work.”

Akane sat down, but shuffled a little closer. “Listen, I've never experienced what you have, but you can't just dismiss this as game over.”

The redhead pouted. “I know that.”

“Why are you sulking?”

Ranma gave her a glare, but soon gave a sigh. She'd grown too comfortable around the girl to just stay clammed up. “I-I don't know. I can handle a few hours, but a whole lifetime like this? Wearing the face of that wretch whenever I look at myself in the mirror? Always having Kuno and other guys harassing me for my body?” She gave a small moan. “Putting up with these bullshit cramps once a month!”

“You can eat all the parfaits you want.” Akane tried to lighten the mood. “And it's not like its from tonight. You still have time to avoid it.”

Ranma scowled. “Yeah, but you heard what the Old Ghoul said. There's no cure.”

Akane countered. “I'm sure there must be a way. If the witch made the spell, maybe there's something to reverse it?”

Ranma seemed unconvinced. “Face it, I'm gonna be stuck like this.” She only curled herself tighter. “That witch has won.”

“No she hasn't.”

“Yes she has!” Ranma screamed. “Look at me! I take a lot of pride being a man! It's like, a part of myself! In this form I don't feel like, well, me.” She then turned away.

Akane could only sit helplessly. She wondered if she should do something to comfort him, maybe something like a hug, but with Ranma it was likely he'd see the gesture as patronising. If only there was a way she could show Ranma that it wasn't all bad.

Suddenly, Akane had a thought. “Were you training before?”

“Yeah. I usually like to practice when I'm in a bad mood. Take the mind off things.”

Akane admittedly wasn't in the right clothes, but she knew a way she could make the half-girl feel better. “Why not you fight me.”

“Huh?”

“Fight me.” She said, standing up. “Like the first day we met.”

“What's that suppose to prove?”

Akane smirked. “I doubt the real Ranma would stand down from a fight he knows he can't lose.”

“You think so?” The redhead perked up.

“Yep.” Akane nodded. “And one more thing.”

“Hmmm?”

BONK.

Akane's fist smashed onto Ranma's skull, causing the smaller girl to yelp. “HEY!”

“THAT'S FOR THE BREAST COMMENT!” Akane yelled, feeling cathartic.

“Geez, you sure hit hard.” Ranma quipped. “You sure you're a woman?”

BONK.

“OW!”

“You want to die?” Akane spoke in a sweet, but passive aggressive voice.

“Alright!” Ranma rubbed her head, getting to her feet, dusting off her silks. “But how are we gonna do this?”

Akane shrugged. “Well, I figured since were we both gir-” she stopped, noticing Ranma flinch at the 'g' word. “Both equals in a sense, we can go all out.”

Ranma smirked, gently rubbing her stomach in an effort to ease the cramps. “Equals? Please, I beat you the first time we met.”

“Then all the more reason I won't go easy on you.” Akane took a stance. She never usually fought in her casual gear but if she was going to prove a point, she couldn't prove to be picky.

Ranma took a stance too, already looking for an opening. “Alright, then a spar it is. I doubt it will do anything.”

“Let's begin, now!” Akane took a strike at Ranma's head. This time Ranma was savvy enough to dodge it at the last second. Akane gave a confident smirk that only annoyed the redhead.

“Hey!”

“Sorry, but I did say I'd go all out.” Akane then did a swift kick, which Ranma caught. Ranma, whilst not wanting to hurt Akane, retaliated by giving a strike towards Akane's middle. That was caught. Akane then tried to kick at the redhead, only for Ranma to dodge.

Soon the two martial artists took to action. Ranma clearly had more experience but Akane was surprisingly holding her own. She even managed to try strikes to Ranma's abdomen, which was still giving dull throbs of pain.

'She's trained quite a bit.' The part-time girl thought as she fought through her discomfort. It bugged the crap out of her but she couldn't let it beat her.

Parry, thrust, block, kick. Multiple punches, multiple kicks. The two were a flurry of movements without any stops and starts. The longer the fight went on, the longer Ranma started to get annoyed. The fight had lasted longer than she thought and it didn't help that Akane had the reach advantage in their current states. All she could do was await an opening and go for it.

It wasn't before long before she noticed how Akane's attacks had a slight delay. As soon as she found it, she made her move. Before Akane could launch another punch, Ranma jumped and flipped behind Akane. The moment she landed, she swung her arm at Akane's neck, aiming for a swift chop.

'Crap!' Akane winced, turning to see the redhead already about to strike. She closed her eyes, expecting a brutal strike.

Instead she felt a small tap to her forehead.

Rubbing the spot between her eyes, Akane saw that Ranma was standing before her, smiling. “Looks like I win.”

“I said to go all out.”

“Jeez, I'm not gonna hurt you.” Ranma crossed her arms. “I thought you knew me by now. Besides, I did outsmart you, so that means I win.”

Akane gave a small laugh. That felt more like the old Ranma.

“What's so funny now?” Ranma raised an eyebrow.

“Nothing.” Akane tapped her on the back. “But you're feeling better about yourself, aren't you?”

Ranma looked down at her feet and rubbed her stomach. It was still throbbing in pain but bearable. “Yeah, I guess so. But it's not gonna reverse the curse.”

“So what? That doesn't mean you still can't be you.” Akane explained. “That witch may have changed you, but she didn't take away your personality, or your martial arts ability.”

Ranma studied her fists, remembering the many times she was forced to fight in her girl form. Most of the time, she came out on top without losing her own identity. “I guess you're right.”

“And let's not forget we have plenty of time before it gets bad.”

“But what about the cure-”

“So? We can start searching for a way. Cologne I'm sure will try to find something despite what she said.”

Ranma seemed to have lightened a little. “Yeah, she is pretty smart.”

“The point is, as long as you can switch back, you haven't lost to her.” Akane explained.

“Yeah.” Ranma smiled, realising Akane had a point. She still had time to change her fate and moping about on a future that hadn't happened yet wasn't going to help. And ten years was a long enough time, wasn't it?

With this new mindset, she turned to the night sky and gave a yell, “YOU HEAR THAT, WITCH! YOU HAVEN'T BEATEN ME! I'M GONNA KICK YOUR CURSE'S ASS!”

Akane could only nervously laugh at Ranma's boast, but figured not to worry too much. “Alright, enough boasting. Let's go home.”

The two girls did start to leave the park, but soon something gnawed at Akane's mind which she had no choice but to ask.

“By the way, when did you get wet?”

Ranma looked away sheepishly. “It's sort of embarrassing.”

“Let's have it.”

Ranma then gave a nervous laugh. “After you left I sort of ran here, but I wasn't in the right state of mind. I was pretty distracted and I...”

“You what?”

Then she turned away and mumbled. “I ran into the lake without realising it.”

Akane had to laugh. She could imagine Ryoga doing such a thing, but Ranma?

“Hey!” Ranma growled.

“Sorry.” Akane waved it off innocently.

“Seriously Akane” Ranma crossed her arms in a failed attempt of hiding her bust. “The hot water better be working when we come back.”

“I'm sure Kasumi will have a kettle boiled for you if it isn't.”

“Really?”

Akane smiled. “You're practically family by now. Stuff like this is just part of our normal routine by now.”

There was something about her smile which reminded Ranma that for all the flak she gave Akane for not being 'cute', she could be cute in the right conditions. Not that she'd dare say this to Akane's face. She wasn't going to let her have the satisfaction.

But she knew something she could say.

“Akane?”

“Hmmm?”

“Thanks.”

The two then continued to walk home. Whilst Ranma's future was uncertain, for now, life was the same as always.

(The End)