Clothes Make The...

Chapter Eight:

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun,
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo,
Mousse, Cologne, Kunou Tatewaki, Kunou Kodachi, Tofu Ono Sensei, and Hinako
Ninomiya Sensei are copyright 1987, 1998 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Publishing rights:

Japan:          Sogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:      Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:  Viz Inc.

By Nicholas Leifker, Katrina Halbred, and Ichinohei Hitomi

********************************************************************

     Ranma opened her eyes slowly, the light from the morning sun
shining right in her face.  She could hear the caws of birds outside,
their desperate mating calls searching for companionship.  Warmth
surrounded her, a primal comfort she'd missed for ages without
realizing it.
     The young woman looked downward for a moment to get a glimpse of
her surroundings.  She was in her own room, a place she shared for
the moment with her mother.  Warm turquoise silk swam about her, a
beautiful feeling to wake up to... if she had been in a mood to enjoy
it.  She didn't feel like getting up; this place was safe, but the
rest of the world waited to strip her bare.
     Closing her eyes, she thought back to the fight three nights
previous.  While she had certainly prevailed against Kodachi, it came
at a terrible price.  She had said some horrible things, and made
threats she'd never even considered before then.  She'd gone from
fighting a controllable enemy to one totally out of her hands -
herself.
     Her own words, accusations to the self, had forced her to
confront who she was, and what she was becoming.  She found that she
didn't like herself much; she'd become no better than her old man.
She lied, stole, cheated, blackmailed, and downright threatened to
get what she wanted... like father, like daughter.  
     Just who was she inside, anyway?
     Unconsciously snuggling inside the arms that held her close,
Ranma began to ponder the situation, and comparing her past and
present self to come to some understanding.  If she was to go forward
with her life, she had to know where she was, and what she was coming
from.
     Her old self, not surprisingly, was not cast in a good light. 
He had had few friends, too many enemies to count, and a score of
seemingly unsolvable problems.  Even his 'friends' merely wanted
something from him, then would turn their back on him at the first
sign of trouble.  Everything was his fault; he was in the wrong
because he happened to live.  However, that man knew what it was to
keep on fighting...until the day when he couldn't fight himself any
longer.
     She, on the other hand, was almost a polar opposite.  She had
friends now, and few true enemies.  Her parents finally cared about
her for who she was, rather than for some pawn to be married off or a
paragon of masculinity.  The fiancee problem had been put on hold,
allowing her some room to think.  She also lied, cheated, deceived,
hit other girls...she'd become her own father, even while trying to
become as unlike him as possible.
     Sighing, Ranma looked up to the person who held her.  Nodoka
looked so peaceful in her sleep; in her dreams, it seemed, she could
live the life she'd always wanted.  Ranma reached a hand up to touch
her cheek, a tear forming in her eye.
     "Mom, what am I going to do?" she whispered.  I don't want to
lie...but I can't tell anyone the truth.  I'd lose everything I care
for...including you, Mom.  You...I could see it that night we went
shopping; you *need* a daughter, just as I need a mother right now.
I...mom..."
     The sleeping confession done, Ranma sighed.  She knew it
couldn't go on much longer; sooner or later, something would have to
give, causing those she loved to be hurt once more.  On that day, she
would cease to be Ranma Saotome... she would become worse than
nothing, some freak half-woman who'd betrayed everything she was. She
had to find a way to soften the blow, though, before more damage was
done.  
     Ranma closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep, tears spilling
down her pillow at her future fate.  

***

     Kasumi woke in her own room, a gentle smile adorning her face.
     Finally, after waiting like she'd always thought a girl should,
she had decided to take the initiative with a man.  As expected,
things did not go as she had planned, but the end result had been
worth every moment.  By just sitting there in his clinic, the two of
them had breached barriers that had kept them apart for too long. She
didn't understand why he had fainted, and had feared that she had
frightened him too much.  After all, a proper Japanese woman did not
pursue, but enticed others to pursue.  
     In the end, breaking with tradition had paid off far more than
she'd ever expected.
     In the past, Tofu had been so aloof, so unreachable.  All of the
books she borrowed, the cookies and snacks she made for him, all the
small favours she did around his clinic...nothing seemed to work.  He
would either act ridiculously or simply stand there with no outward
show of emotions.  As a result, she had begun to fear that Tofu would
never see her as anything more than a friend.
     Ranma, bless her heart, had changed that idea very quickly.  She
was the one who had been insistent that Tofu was the man for her. She
had warned her of the silliness that was likely to occur, and that
she had to keep the good doctor in line, but his fainting was  almost
too much for her.
     She vowed that she would do better today.
     Before she left him that night, Kasumi had told him that she'd
be back.  After all, Ranma needed to see a physician for her
'injury', and fast.  Ranma wasn't the only one who needed
consultation, though.  *She* needed to talk to him, to seek his
advice, to know his wisdom in dealing with Ranma's problem...and to
know his soul when they were together.
     Because, if either one wasn't handled properly, her own future
scarcely bore thinking about.

***

     Tofu Ono awoke to the sounds of the city, and yawned in sheer
contentment.  For the first time, he was able to view his love as a
human being, a woman with charming faults and downright stunning
frailties.  For too long he'd seen her as a goddess, a woman for whom
he'd risk everything for, but would never have a chance at
approaching.  
     Now that the first obstacle had been overcome, he could see the
others on the horizon.  First of all, he was much older that Kasumi -
nearly a full decade older.  While this was no concern to himself
personally, it would be a concern to the protective Soun, perhaps
leading to a confrontation between the two.  Another problem was
handed by the wild-card of the family: Ranma.  Kasumi had told him of
her problems, and knew that Ranma's act would have an adverse effect
on the family.  If he told of his love for Kasumi too soon, he could
face the opposite problem: Soun could push the relationship too fast,
resulting in problems similar to Ranma and Akane's over the past
year.  
     Fortunately, there was no more room to waffle anymore.  He was a
doctor; he had an obligation to his patients, including Ranma.  He
was also a man, with a love for a woman who shared that love, and he
would not let that promise down.  With their visit today, Tofu Ono
would have to face the problems as both doctor and man - and hope his
dreams come true as a result.  

***

     Ranma sat in the waiting room of Tofu's clinic, pretending to
concentrate on some hopelessly out-of-date magazine.  She was
starting to feel nervous about the idea; while she knew that the
doctor's help would eventually be necessary, she still wanted to drag
as few people into her deception as possible.  Asking a trained,
trusted professional to lie was not what she had originally planned.
     Beyond that, there were other things scheduled for this trip,
examinations that, while she had gone through them before, still
didn't feel comfortable.  The pelvic exams had been necessary ever
since she was cursed, and she herself cursed them every time she had
them.  
     A shadow fell across the page, and she looked up.  
     "Ranma?  It's time."  Tofu stood waiting for her, Kasumi by his
side.  She nodded, then followed them back into the examination room. 
     "So....which part do you want first?  The physical exam, or the
psychological one?"
     Ranma grimaced.  "The physical.  Let's get that over with as
soon as possible."
     She slipped off her clothes, wrapped the gown around herself,
then gritted her teeth as she felt the cool steel and warm hands
probe her body, checking for any abnormalities or problems.  She
*hated* the curse at times like this, as it made her...*feel*
things...which she still found uncomfortable.  Fortunately, the exam
usually didn't take very long; the good doctor rushed through the
physical, and kept her distracted with casual talk.
     "So...Kasumi tells me you've been having some problems of late."
     Ranma nodded, trying to ignore the feel of steel against
her...she still didn't want to know.  "That's...*oh!* one way of
putting it, Doc.  I...need some time away from my old self."  
     "Well, I can understand that," Tofu sighed, probing a sensitive
area, "after all, you have been cursed to become a girl.  It's only
natural that you might want to explore it."
     Ranma clenched her teeth, as the explorations continued.  "Well,
I...I wish it felt natural to me.  I...I find myself *wanting* to do
this...and yet there's a part of me that's still fighting it."
     Tofu grimaced for a moment.  "That's your male side talking,
Ranma.  You're half-girl; you need to go and see what it's like
sometimes.  Problem is, you've always been too macho to deal with
it."
     "Gee, thanks, Doc," Ranma replied sarcastically.
     Tofu finished his probing, and pulled down Ranma's hospital
gown.  "I'm serious, Ranma.  You spent all this time physically as a
woman, but you never allowed yourself to admit it.  And what was
ALWAYS your response to anyone's questioning of your gender?"
     Ranma smiled sheepishly.  "'I'm a guy, dammit.'  Now, though..."
     "Now you're not sure what you are."
     "Yeah."  She sat up, and crossed her legs.  "I don't know who I
am, Doc.  Part of me wants to stay this way forever, to never go back
to the old me.  But..." Ranma folded her arms across her chest, a
slightly sad expression coming to her face.
     "But what?"
     "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wish I could live as
both.  I wish I could just wake up in the morning and decide, 'Okay,
I think I'll be a girl today,' and act just as any other girl would. 
Unfortunately..."
     "Unfortunately, the rest of the family, as well as other people,
don't see it that way," Tofu noted sadly.  
     Ranma nodded.  "I've got a father who's trained me to be a
top-notch martial artist since I could walk.  I've got a mother who'd
make me commit seppuku if I was anything less than a 'man among men'.
I've got Akane, who's always calling me a pervert and would *really*
think I was one if I tried anything like that.  Then there's Mr.
Tendo, Nabiki, the guys at school..."
     "Have you tried talking to Akane?"  Tofu's gaze pierced into
Ranma, making her feel unusually small.
     "Talking to her about what?"
     Tofu sat down on the bed next to Ranma.  "Talk to her about how
she feels.  Ask her if she'd consider a relationship with you as you
are now.  Most importantly, be willing to listen.  She probably
doesn't know the answers herself, but she may be able to find
them...if you're there.  Finally, if it looks like she'd be
receptive, tell her.  She's your fiancee; she deserves to know."
     "Okay, Doc.  I...have a date with her tonight, so hopefully
we'll be able to talk then."
     Ranma jumped when she felt an arm on her shoulder.  "Ranma...I'm
not going to lie to you here.  It sounds like you have gender
dysphoria."
     She blinked.  "Gender dys-what?"
     "In other words, you have the desire to live, either partially
or fully, as a member of the opposite sex."
     Ranma nodded.  "I could have told you that.  In fact, I think I
did."
     Tofu's voice turned strangely quiet.  "It also means that you
will be facing probably the greatest spiritual test of your life.  To
put it bluntly, Ranma, you have to find out who you really are, and
where you want to fit into the world." 
     He pulled Ranma to her feet, and walked her over to a mirror.
"Ranma, tell me what you see."
     She shrugged.  "I see...me."  Almost instinctively, she started
to make her reflection more presentable.
     "And are you a man or a woman?"
     Ranma finished her preening.  "Well...at the moment, I'm a
woman."
     Tofu whirled her around, his eyes intense.  "Are you sure?  I
could get some hot water and change that reflection in a heartbeat."
     Ranma nodded.  "That's my problem, isn't it?  I don't know who I
am."
     "And that is what you have to find out."  Tofu sighed, and
walked over to his desk.  "The diagnosis that I'll give to them is
that you have some personality problems caused by repeated blows to
the head.  The problems should fade in time if allowed to heal, or
will merge with your old personality to become a part of a new
personality.  As for the real problem...I'm going to give Kasumi some
books for you to read.  Some of them will be directly tied to the
problem, while others will be to help you do some soul-searching.  
Okay?"
     Ranma smiled weakly.  "O...okay, Doc.  Thanks."
     Tofu bowed to his patient.  "You're welcome."  He looked over at
Ranma's clothes, currently sitting in an orderly pile.  "Now get
dressed.  Kasumi and Mr. Tendo will be waiting."

***

     The walk back to the dojo was certainly a quiet one - almost a
funeral, Ranma thought.  Soun was silent; he had taken Tofu's
diagnosis with little enthusiasm.  Occasionally he would steal
desperate glances Ranma's way, but other than that remained in his
own world.  Kasumi, as always, walked right beside her father, a
duffel bag of books carried away from Soun's gaze.
     Ranma, of course, was enjoying the day.  There was just
something about the feel of wind along her legs that sent chills down
her spine, and she longed to drink in as much of the feeling as
possible.  She lightly skipped down the path, giving an occasional
twirl just to feel the dress flow around her.  It was a remarkably
beautiful day, and she had vowed to enjoy each such day as much as
she could.  Besides, she had a date to prepare for...and a new life
to forge.
     Upon entering the house, Ranma stepped out of her shoes, and ran
up the stairs to her room.  She walked inside, threw open the closet
excitedly...then turned back around.
     Someone had done some serious redecorating to the room.  The
futons were moved out, replaced by a soft Western-style bed, complete
with flower-pattern comforter and soft, plushy animals near the
pillows.  The other furniture in the room - a wooden dresser, a desk,
and a full-length mirror - all were decorated with a woman in mind,
though could be converted to a more unisex style at a moment's
notice.  A case for her cosmetics sat on top of the desk, as well as
a small jewellery box for those few items she'd managed to acquire.
     For a moment, she wondered if Azusa had moved in.
     "So...do you like it?"
     Ranma's eyes moved around the room in wonder, eventually coming
to focus at the door - and her mother.  "Um...yeah.  It's...beautiful."
She walked over to the bed, and picked up a teddy bear.  "Just one 
thing, Mom:  How old do you think I am, anyway?"
     Nodoka grimaced for a moment.  "Well, I...when you were younger,
I always wanted you to have a pleasant childhood.  I always regretted
sending you off with your father, and I guess I tried to make up for
it."
     Ranma gave her mother the best reassurance she could: a gentle
kiss on the cheek.  "Thanks, Mom.  When did you arrange all this,
anyway?"
     Nodoka smiled at the kiss.  "A couple of days ago.  I saw you
were down after that Kodachi girl attacked, so I thought I'd try to
cheer you up."
     "Well, it worked," Ranma whispered, a wry grin painted on her
face.  "This is... This is going to take some getting used to."  She
experimentally felt the soft mattress, then lay down on it.  "This is
definitely going to take some getting used to.  How do people sleep
on something this soft, anyway?"
     "Ask the girls.  They're the ones who helped me on this."  She
sat down on the bed, and picked up one of the animals.  "And as for
these...blame Kasumi.  She thought you could use the company since
you're used to sleeping with your father."
     Ranma looked down at the teddy bear in her hands.  Truth to
tell, it was rather cute, with soft, brown fur, loose filler inside,
and a slightly morose expression.  "Uh...Mom?"
     "Yes, dear?"
     "There's one animal missing from the collection."
     Nodoka arched an eyebrow.  "Really?  And what's that?"
     "Well, I *am* used to sleeping with a panda bear..."
     Nodoka reached across the animals to grab one of the pillows,
then swung it at her daughter.  In seconds the two were engaged in a
full-blown pillow fight, like ten-year-olds at a slumber party.  

***

     Ranma slammed the book closed with a groan of frustration, and
looked at the pile remaining for her to peruse.  Tofu-Sensei had
given her a book on 'her condition' to read, only to find it knew
absolutely nothing about her condition.  The doctors would talk of
psychology and endocrinology, when the answer was far more complex.  
     This was why the other books were there, Ranma guessed.  Medical
knowledge was one thing; the soul another.  Science usually scoffed
at the idea of the inner spirit, and ignored the most obvious details 
and symptoms as a result.  Tofu had given her other books, tomes of
spiritual guidance that would be invaluable help in discovering the
soul, the essence of Ranma Saotome.  Ranma closed her eyes and
assumed a prayer position, letting her memories and feelings guide
her home.
     Her journey was short-lived, however, as a knock from the door
brought her from her reverie.  She placed the book on top of her
desk, and turned to the door.
     "Ranma, are you okay in there?  I thought I heard a scream."
     Ranma winced.  "Yeah, Akane, I'm okay.  Come on in."
     The moment Akane walked in, Ranma could tell that something was
bothering her.  Her hands were clasped together in front of her
dress, and her eyes met the floor almost as often as they met
Ranma's.
     "What are you doing, Ranma?"
     Ranma tapped the book lightly, making sure its title was
obscured.  "Oh...doing a little reading that Tofu-Sensei recommended. 
He apparently thinks I have some sort of problem from the knock you
gave me earlier, and was hoping this would fix it."
     Akane looked hopeful for a moment.  "Will it?"
     Ranma shook her head.  "Not likely.  It...if it was given to me
by anyone but Tofu-Sensei, I'd wonder what it had to do with me."
     "Oh."  Akane continued to stare at her feet.
     "What's wrong, Akane?"
     Akane wrung her hands together.  "I...it's nothing, Ranma."
     Ranma simply looked at her, then moved over to the bed.  Her
hand gestured for Akane to join her.  "Talk to me, Akane."
     Akane sat down, and began to make artful markings with her feet.
"Ranma...do you remember when you first came here?  When all the guys
were trying to beat me up?"  Ranma nodded.
     "Well, having to fight Kunou and everyone every day was bad, but
it wasn't the worst part of it.  The worst part was going to the
locker room every day...and hearing the whispers."  
     "Whispers?"
     Akane grimaced.  "You know what the other girls are like
sometimes, how gossipy they can be...Anyway, back then, they thought
that, just because I was fighting all these guys every day, that I
was..."
     "It's okay, Akane."  Ranma put her hand over Akane's, to help
soothe her nerves.  "I'm here."
     The comfort was all Akane needed to continue.  "They thought I
was a lesbian.  They shunned me from all regular activities - except
when they wanted to win some sports event, of course - and just made
my life a living hell until you came along."
     "You mean until my male form came along."  Akane nodded in
reply.  Ranma edged closer to her, and put her arm around Akane's
waist.  
     "Akane, did I ever tell you about the day when I found out about
my desires?"  On seeing Akane's negative, Ranma continued.
     "I was in the locker room at the time.  I...I hadn't really had
a relationship since Ryouga, not because of any problems...but just
because something inside of me didn't want to.  I think...that
something inside of me was trying to protect me."
     Akane blinked.  "You had a relationship with Ryouga?
     Ranma rolled her eyes, "Of course I did.  How do you think I
discovered I don't like boys, at least not in that way?  Anyway, I
was in there getting ready to fight Hinako-Sensei.  I *had* to beat
her, so I ran in in my normal body with a girls' gym outfit to put
on.  There were a couple of other girls in there at the time,
skipping class and just gossiping.  I got a good look at one...and
she got a good look at me."
     Ranma sighed, playing the 'memory' well.  "In that moment, I was
glad that I had changed back to a girl.  If I was a guy, my desires
would have shown too well.  She had the most beautiful body, Akane,
so much so that it was impossible to ignore what I was feeling.  Her
brown eyes seemed to capture me, holding me there while I took in the
rest of her form.  I...I found myself lusting after, wishing I could
share in those perfect breasts, feel those legs that seemed to go on
forever..."  Ranma stopped for a moment as tears threatened.  "It
took me an hour to stop crying."
     Akane nodded.  She'd been there.  "I cried everyday after school
until you came along."
     The arm around Akane's waist squeezed for a moment, giving her a
reassuring hug.  "Akane, I can't decide your life for you.  If you
want to back out of this, go ahead.  It's not easy living as a
lesbian.  At first I blamed the curse, then Pop's upbringing.
Eventually, I learned how useless blame was.  Akane, I...I am me, for
better or worse."  She turned to touch Akane on the cheek.  "I just
hope you learn who you are - even if it is without me."  
     Akane fought her own tears, and forced a simple smile.  "I'd
better get ready for our date."
     Ranma nodded, smiling.  "So should I.  See you in an hour,
Akane."
     "Okay," Akane cracked.  Ranma could see the tension in Akane's
bearing, as well as the nervousness in her own.  She wasn't sure, but
she swore there was something mutual between them, a powerful
friendship that, one day, she hoped she could call love.  
     What she didn't know was who exactly Akane loved - the man who
had appeared one day in her bathroom, or the woman that man had
become.  
     Sighing, Ranma moved back to the desk.  There was another book
that Kasumi had bought for her, one she desperately wanted to use.
She brought the black hardcover out of its wrappings, and flipped
through the pages.
     Blank - like her current self.
     She picked up a pen from a nearby drawer, and held it over the
virgin paper.  There was so much that she wanted to write.  She could
feel the doubts and dreams aching at her mind, urging to be put into
corporeal words.  After a full half-hour of searching, though, she
could only find a few scant words to write:
     *My name is Ranma Saotome.  I am a...I don't know what I am.*
     She stared at the words for a long time - perhaps too long. 
That was the crux of her dilemma, the whole source of the problem.
She was no man.  He was no woman.  He was supposed to be one or the
other.  Somehow, in her case, the coin flip of gender had landed on
its edge, leaving her with a precarious balancing act.  
     A glance at the clock shook her from the diary.  She didn't have
much time; her date with Akane was supposed to start in thirty
minutes, and she still had a lot to do.  Pushing her questions to the
back of her mind, she stripped off her clothes and began her
preparations.  
     She started her outfit as she had started her adventures a week
previous - with a racy snow-white lingerie set.  After all, if what
she wore outside of her body flattered her figure, then she'd feel a
lot sexier on the inside.  After donning the bra and panties, she
walked over to the mirror, the model's poses coming once she caught a
glimpse of herself.
     She had to admit that she liked what she saw.  Her body was
something special, and she couldn't help but admire the forces that
had come together to shape her.  Artful curves and a healthy build
were hers thanks to Jusenkyo, while years of exercise left her with
lean, powerful muscle tone.  The two combined made for a body to take
anyone's breath away, man or woman.  
     She walked over to the closet, and opened the doors wide.  Her
Chinese outfits were still there, taking up a good half of the used
closet space.  Along with them, though, were outfits she was starting
to find more appealing... and more natural to her.  She took out a
skirt and blouse, and laid them on the bed.  She was actually
thankful she didn't have a full wardrobe collection; if she did, then
choosing an outfit would have been more difficult.  As an
afterthought, she brought out some black hose, and walked back to her
bed.  
     She stopped for a moment after putting the hose on, as old
questions came back to her.  This time, though, the questions were
different in focus.  It was no longer about what she wanted.  She had
a good idea as to what she really desired, though there were still
some doubts there.
     It was about what Akane wanted.
     Could Akane love someone who was, at most, half a man?  Could
Akane love someone who wasn't a man, and would never be again?  Her
mind went back to the doubts that plagued her after the Herb
incident.  Losing her manhood hadn't really frightened her, at least
not as much as she thought it would have.  Losing Akane,
though...that scared her enough to keep going. She shook her head to
dispel her fears, and moved to put on her skirt.  It came on with a
quick slide and zip, as though the movements were perfectly natural. 
She moved over to the desk, and began to apply her makeup.  
     It took her longer than she'd have hoped.  She wasn't as adept
at it as she would have liked, unfortunately; years of girlhood had
been compressed into days for her.  Base and lipstick were easy;
eyeliner wasn't.  She ended up redecorating her eyes twice due to
errors, a trial that nearly had her fuming.  Still, after some
persistence, she got her makeup on right, and moved to finish
dressing.  
     After putting on the blouse and looking in the mirror, she
frowned.  Something was missing... she just wasn't sure what.  She
tried putting on a short jacket to compliment the skirt, but that
didn't go over well.  Finally it dawned on her: Jewellery.  She put
on a thin gold necklace and earrings, to show off the curves of her
neck and face.  Once completed, she looked at her reflection in the
mirror.
     Perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  The black skirt and hose shrouded
her legs while showing off their shape at the same time, the blouse
hid her figure enough for modesty while accentuating her pure
femininity, and the makeup and body did the rest.  Smiling, she
picked up her shoes.  It was time to get a second opinion.  
     Fortunately, the second opinion concurred.  All eyes turned on
her the moment she walked down to the first floor.  Soun's jaw rested
on the floor, while her father just stood there, his eyes wide.  The
women in the room glowed with excitement; she'd obviously done well.
     "Ranma, you look absolutely beautiful!"  Her mother eyed her
carefully, making sure every button and accessory was in place. 
"It's nice to see you looking less like a tomboy."
     "Thanks, Mom."  Ranma felt a lump in her throat.  'Tomboy' was a
very good description of her...until now, that is.  "I couldn't have
done it without you."  The two shared a hug, holding onto each other
as though time were about to slip by.
     Time did slip by - in the form of a tuxedo-clad beauty.
     Akane chose that moment to walk downstairs.  Her outfit was a
clear variation on the old tuxedo, with a black short jacket with
tails, slacks, and a rose on her lapel.  Her gender, though, was
never in any doubt; her curves were just too much for a mere article
of clothing to hide.  Besides, the hose and heels were a
much-appreciated touch, giving an incongruous elegance to the
traditionally-masculine outfit.  She moved around to Ranma's field of
vision, and smiled.
     "Ranma, you look...amazing."
     Vocal skills took a few minutes for Ranma to recover.  "Thanks.
Akane...that outfit...it suits you well.  It...shows just how much
woman you are, when you're unmistakeable even in an outfit like
that."
     Akane clearly weighed the comment in her mind, then smiled.
"Thanks, Ranma."  She offered a hand to her more
traditionally-attired date.  "Care to accompany me?"
     Ranma looked at the hand, then smiled.  "Why, of course, I
would, kind sir!  Just lead the way."  The two left the house amid
smiles and tears, and watched as the sun began to lazily set on the
horizon.  

*******************************************************************

Katrina Lee Halbred
Hitomi Ichinohei
Nicholas Leifker
June 22, 1998