Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi

A story that can only be called. . .

Stuck
-----
By: Anand Rao

Akari smiled awkwardly at the girl standing in front of her.  She had been 
surprised at the knock on the front door; not many people visited a Sumo pig 
farm.  It had been a dozen years or more since they had seen each other last 
and Akari didn't know what to say.  Without a hint of envy, she thought of 
the few wrinkles that lined her face.  Wrinkles that the girl in front of 
her would never have.

This girl would never change; at least, not physically.

"Hello, Ranma."

"Hello, Akari. How have you been?"

"Fine, Ranma. . . just. . . fine."  Akari paused.  "I- I got married a 
couple of years ago."

"Really?  That's great.  I was. . . worried that you wouldn't be able to 
move on."

"So. . . you. . . you. . .  got a hair cut?" Akari floundered.

Ranma laughed easily and rubbed her bald scalp.  "More like a complete 
shave.  I've been living at a Buddhist temple in China.  This," Ranma said, 
patting the top of her head, "pretty much goes with the lifestyle."

"I always liked your hair.  It made you look so-"  Akari suddenly stopped 
and looked down in embarrassment.

"It made me look so 'what'?"  Ranma asked.  "Cute?  Pretty?"

"I'm sorry, Ranma."

"Don't be.  You're right, but I got tired of being 'cute'.  You'd be amazed 
at how many guys -don't- hit on me now that I'm bald; and all over something 
as superficial as hair."

"Oh!  I've made you stand out here all this time!  Where are my manners?"  
Akari grabbed hold of Ranma's hand and ushered her inside.  "Would you like 
something to eat or drink?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks.  Actually, I'm here to see. . . him."

"I figured you would be."  Akari smiled sadly.  "Come, I'll take you to his 
room."  She led Ranma through the house to a small bedroom.  "He's inside.  
I. . . I'll leave you two alone."

"Akari, thanks for taking care of him after all this time.  I know it musta 
been hard."

"It was," Akari agreed, "but where else could he go?"

Ranma nodded her head and entered the room as the older woman walked away.  
Pictures, postcards, and souvenir items from all over Japan adorned the 
walls and floor of the room.  Only two pieces of furniture were in the room; 
a small bed in the center, and an even smaller litter box in one corner.  A 
little black pig that was lying down the bed looked up when the door opened.

"Hello, Ryoga."

The pig looked at Ranma, blinked, then lay back down on the bed.

"Come on, Ryoga," Ranma sighed, walking closer to the bed.  The pig hopped 
off the bed and trotted away from Ranma.  It stopped for a moment and looked 
back at her wearily.  "This isn't funny.  I know it's been a while, but 
you're -not- really a pig, you're a person!"

Ryoga snorted in response and turned away.  Ranma sat down on the bed and 
patted the spot next to her.  "Come over here, Ryoga."  The pig steadfastly 
refused to move or even look at her.  "It's been over ten years, man, so the 
least you can do is listen to what I have to say."  Ranma paused, then 
smirked.  "Not like you gotta whole lot of choice in the matter."

The pig glared at her for a moment then turned away again.  "I'm only 
staying in Japan for a couple of days.  I was wondering if you wanted to 
come with me when I return to China."  When Ryoga didn't react, Ranma 
continued.  "Of course, if you -like- living in this little prison, with the 
woman you love sleeping with another guy, hey, more power to ya."

Ryoga whirled towards Ranma, growling deeply.  "What?  Did I say something 
wrong, P-Chan?"  The taunt was more than Ryoga could bear.  The little 
piglet growled louder and jumped towards Ranma.

"Good."  Ranma nodded her head and caught Ryoga by the scruff of the neck 
before he could reach her. She was still sitting on the bed.  "You're 
angry."  She held Ryoga up and gazed levelly at his face.  "You're a person, 
Ryoga, not an animal.  Animals don't get upset at casual insults."  She put 
Ryoga down next to her on the bed and held him there.  "No matter how long 
you're like this, never forget what you really are."

She slowly released her hold on Ryoga and looked down at him.  Ryoga tensed 
for a moment, then relaxed.  If Ranma hadn't known any better she would have 
sworn that he actually let out a sigh.  "So, what do you say?  Willing to 
give China a try?"

Ryoga looked at Ranma and tilted his head in indecision.  "Come on, man, 
it'll be better than this!  The temple I'm staying at is really peaceful and 
quiet.  No one there will bother ya, or try to make you into something 
you're not." Ranma paused, then gently put her hand Ryoga's back. "I don't 
know when I'll be coming back here."  The former lost boy looked down at his 
front feet, thinking silently.

"You may be wondering why I'm doing this. . , "  Ranma waited for Ryoga to 
nod his head before continuing.  "There are only a handful of people in this 
world who come close to understanding me; you're one of them.  The temple's 
a haven; no one there treats me like a girl or a freak, but it's also. . . 
lonely."

Ranma laughed bitterly and shook her head in resignation.  "We both spent a 
lot of time alone when we were kids, didn't we? I was used it, and then, I 
spent two years, just -two- years, being part of a family, and I couldn't 
imagine being alone ever again.

"But then. . . Jusenkyo reared its ugly head again.  Do you remember what 
you were doing when the curse became permanent?"

Ryoga shook his head.  The past two decades had been all but a blur for him. 
  "I remember that day very clearly," Ranma quietly said.  "It still haunts 
my dreams some nights."


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


"Oh, come on, Akane!"

"Sorry, Ranma.  You have to figure it out for yourself!"

"Um, is it your birthday?"  Ranma winced at the cool glare that was turned 
in his direction.

"No.  My birthday is next month," Akane evenly replied.

"Well, it ain't my birthday, it ain't Christmas, it ain't Valentine's Day. . 
. "  Ranma paused and scratched his head.  "They didn't create some new 
annoying romantic holiday, did they?"

"No, Ranma."

"I'm never gonna figure this out, Akane.  I mean, why do we -need- a reason 
to go out anyway?  We've been kinda dating for a while now."

"I know, Ranma.  It still amazes me that you found the nerve to ask me out." 
  Akane smiled slyly and reached out for Ranma's hand.

"Yeah. . . Um, you gonna tell me what today is all about?"

Akane squeezed Ranma's hand tightly at turned towards him.  "Today is our 
anniversary."

"Anniversary?"

"Yes," Akane said firmly.  "One year ago today, you and I were almost 
married."

Ranma glanced skeptically at his fiancee'.  "What kinda -stupid- anniversary 
is that?"

"It may be stupid but it's the only one we got!" Akane snapped.  She turned 
towards Ranma, a sly smile growing on her face.  "Unless you're actually 
-ready- to get married. . ."

"Uh. . ."

Akane placed a single finger on Ranma's lips, effectively silencing him.  "I 
know, not yet.  But don't make me wait too long, Ranma.  You're not so 
special that I'll put my life on hold forever."  She pulled back her hand 
and stepped away from Ranma.  "Now come on; we have an anniversary to 
celebrate!"

Ranma shook his head but smiled thoughtfully.  (Maybe I'll be ready sooner 
than you think, Akane.)


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

"Thank you, Ranma.  I had a wonderful time tonight."

"It was nice," Ranma agreed.

It was much later in the evening and Ranma had escorted Akane home after 
many hours spent in eating, talking, and dancing.  Akane leaned towards him 
and gently brushed her lips against his.

"Very good.  You didn't pull back this time," Akane approved.

"I guess. . . I can get used to this."  Ranma chuckled in embarrassment.

Akane smiled and lightly patted Ranma's cheek.  "At least we'll have fun 
trying."  She sighed and pulled back.  "Honestly, Ranma!  You're as bad as 
Ryoga sometimes."

"Hey!  How would you know that?"  Ranma demanded.

"Baka.  Akari and I talk some times."

"Oh."

Akane kissed him once more then disappeared into the house.  Ranma stood 
staring at the front door for a few moments, then turned away.  He strolled 
through the gates of the Tendo compound and headed for home.  It had been 
about six months since he and his parents had moved back into their own 
home.  It was a bit awkward at first, and he had missed being near Akane, 
but after a while, he had started to appreciate the privacy and solitude 
being in his own home gave him.

He quickly reached his house was surprised to find the lights still on and 
his parents still awake. His father, in panda form, and mother were sitting 
in the middle of the living room surrounded by about a dozen copper kettles. 
  The floor all around Genma was covered with water.

Ranma frowned at the sight.  "Hey, what's going on?"

"Ranma!  Thank goodness you're home."  Nodoka stood up and walked towards 
him.  "You're father can't change back into his human form.  He's been like 
this all evening."

"What?  Pop!"  Ranma ran to Genma's side.  "You been using some magic soap 
or that ladle or something?"

The panda shook its head vigorously.  (I haven't done anything but sit here 
and eat,)  he wrote on a sign.

"Maybe ya ate something magical."  Ranma turned towards Nodoka.  "Have ya 
been cooking any strange mushrooms or anything?"

"No, dear.  No mushrooms."

Ranma scratched the back of his head.  "I don't get it. . ."

"Do you think Shampoo's great grandmother would be able to help?"

"I dunno, Mom.  I guess we can ask her in the morning."


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

The next morning, Ranma went to the Nekohanten to talk to Cologne. "Hey, Old 
Ghoul. . ."

"Son-in-law, what brings you here today?"

"You come to take Shampoo on date?"  Shampoo had learned not to hug Ranma on 
sight, however, she still asked him out every chance she got.

"No, Shampoo," Ranma replied.  The question had become so routine that it 
rarely even phased him anymore.  "Actually, I'm to talk about my Old Man."

"Oh? What has that fool done now?"

"Well, he's stuck as a panda.  He says he didn't use anything magical or 
strange, but ya never can tell with my Pops."

Cologne's face paled and her eyes became very serious.  "I see. . . I didn't 
think it would happen so soon."

"What?  You -knew- he was gonna get stuck?  Why didn't you say anything?" 
Ranma demanded.  He had begun to trust Cologne over the years after their 
initial encounters, but in an instant that faith had been burned away to 
nothing.

"To what end?  There's nothing he could have done."  Cologne paused and her 
eyes were filled with sympathy.  "There isn't anything any of you can do, 
Ranma."

"What do ya mean, 'any of us'?"

"The curse eventually becomes permanent for any who enter one of the 
springs."

Ranma staggered back, shaking his head slowly.  "You. . . you're lying. . ."

"I wish I was, Ranma."

"You're lying!" Ranma yelled.  "This is just some sorta trick!  If ya knew 
this would happen, why the hell did ya take Shampoo there?"

Cologne turned towards her great grand daughter who had begun to tremble.  
"Training at the cursed springs was Shampoo's punishment for failing to kill 
you, Ranma. Why do you think I gave you so much trouble when we first met?  
Your deception had caused my great grand daughter a good deal of grief.  I 
wanted to see the two of you quickly married; before-"

"Before we got stuck in our cursed forms," Ranma finished.

"Exactly."

"There must be something we could do!  Some way to get a cure.  The ladle-"

"The ladle will do no good.  We tried using it once, long ago.  There -is- 
no cure, Ranma.  I've spent many, many years looking for one.  In fact, I 
still am."  Cologne gently laid a hand on Shampoo's shoulder.

"I don't want to be stuck as a cat," Shampoo whispered hoarsely in Chinese.  
She suddenly embraced Ranma, burying her head between his shoulder and neck. 
  For once, Ranma didn't push her away, but instead, held on to her tightly. 
  His gazed hardened as he stared into Cologne's eyes.

"I'll find a cure, Old Ghoul.  I will."


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


"As soon as I left the restaurant, a passing car drove through a puddle of 
cold water, and, of course, I changed." Ranma looked down at Ryoga and 
absently ran her hand over her bald scalp. "That was the last time I was a 
guy."  She stood and began pacing the room.

"You don't remember all this, Ryoga, but Akane and I searched and searched 
for a cure.  We went all over China.  We visited the Amazons, the Musk, and 
even Mount Phoenix.  We hit dead end after dead end, and here we are, twenty 
years later, eh?"  Ranma paused as Ryoga visibly struggled with his own 
memories.  The small pig whimpered for a few moments and bowed its head 
before lapsing into a resigned silence.

"Cologne's still looking for a cure, ya know."

Ryoga looked up at Ranma and blinked.  "That's right."  Ranma smiled and 
nodded her head firmly.  "I'm not giving up, Ryoga, and you shouldn't 
either."  She sat back down on the bed.  "So, how about it?"

Ryoga stared quietly at his former for several minutes.  Finally, he hopped 
up onto Ranma's lap and nodded his head.  Ranma let out a deep breath and 
her smile widened.  She picked up of Ryoga and headed for the bedroom door.  
"There's one more person we need to pick up, then off to China."


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

Ranma fidgeted as she stared at the door in front of her.  "I'm not exactly 
looking forward to this," she explained to the small pig cradled in the 
crook of her left arm.  "But I gotta at least give the Old Man a chance, you 
know?"

Ranma knocked on the door.  Several minutes later, the door opened and Ranma 
looked upon her mother's face for the first time after twenty years.  Nodoka 
Saotome had aged well.  Her once brown hair was streaked with gray and her 
face bore a few more wrinkles than Ranma remembered, but otherwise, she 
remained unchanged.  She was as regal, serene, and poised as ever.

The two women stared at each other in silence.  Ranma saw recognition, 
disbelief, and pain drift across Nodoka's face, and still, she did not 
speak.

"Hello, Mother."

With those two words, the spell was broken, and a cold mask of anger grew on 
Nodoka's face.  "You are no child of mine," she replied.

Ranma sighed.  "You may have disowned me, but you still gave birth to me."

"I gave birth to a son, one who would be a man among men and do his duty."  
Nodoka stepped back.  "No, you are no child of mine."  She turned away and 
Ranma suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Wait."  Ranma tightened her grip and Nodoka slowly turned back to her.

"Release me."  Nodoka's voice was harsh, and for an instant, the cold anger 
was replaced by a look of rage.

"I didn't come here to see you anyway," Ranma replied evenly, ignoring his 
mother's command.  "Where's the Old Man."

"If you are speaking of my husband, he died.  With honor."

Ranma's hand limply fell away from Nodoka's arm.  "When?" She faintly asked.

"My family's loss is none of your concern.  Just know that -he- at least, 
regained his honor and-"

"WHEN DID HE DIE?" Ranma screamed.

"Ten years ago, on the anniversary of the loss of our son, Genma committed 
seppuku."  Nodoka's tone was flat but her eyes were moist.  "He had the body 
of a panda, but he regained the spirit of a true martial artist, and once 
again found the path towards honor."

Ranma looked down at her feet, unable to meet Nodoka's gaze.  Tears streamed 
down her eyes, slow and uncontrollable.  She choked back a sob and 
wordlessly turned away from her mother.  Ryoga offered her comfort, the only 
way he could, rubbing his snout gently against her arm.  She absently 
scratched his head and began walking away from her mother, from her past, 
from her father's ghost.

"Why could you not do what honor demanded?  What we wanted?"  Nodoka's voice 
cracked at the end.

Ranma stopped and turned back towards Nodoka.  She wiped her eyes and shook 
her head firmly.  "I couldn't marry Akane, not like this."

"But why?" Nodoka pled.  "She loved you, she would have married you anyway."

"And I loved her," Ranma snapped.  "But I wanted to be with her as a man.  
Why can't you understand that?"

"Why can't -you- understand the importance of honor?  Was it really so 
difficult?  All you had to do was marry the woman you loved."  Nodoka was 
crying openly now, and Ranma stepped towards her.

"Mom, I. . . I convinced myself back then that I was being noble.  That I 
was leaving for Akane's sake," Ranma paused and saw that her mother was 
going to let her continue.  "That wasn't true.  I left for me.  I can't love 
anyone like this.  This body isn't me, and I can't love anyone until I get 
my body back."

"But your clan's honor-"

"What about -my- honor?" Ranma asked.  "Every morning, I have to wake up, 
take a long look at myself and know that I made the right decision!  Maybe 
it wasn't right for you, or the clans, or Akane, but it was right for me."

Nodoka regained control over her emotions and started impassively at Ranma.  
"Was it the right decision?"

"When I know for sure, I'll tell you."  Ranma managed a weak grin.  
"Goodbye. . . Mother."  She turned away once more and walked away.

She never looked back.

--------------------
The End

Notes:

This was horribly short, wasn't it?  I really didn't want to go into the 
angsty details of Ranma and Akane's relationship after this particular event 
or their adventures in a search for a cure.  This story wasn't about that.  
This story was about making a difficult decision.  Namely, settling for less 
than you truly want versus staying stubborn, possibly alone and in pain, in 
the hopes that you'll eventually get what you want.

Which is the better path?

I don't know.  When I know for sure, I'll tell you.

Thanks to Su, John, June, and David (even though he hated the ending) for 
looking at this dreary thing.

Namaste,

Anand

Oh, btw, for those of you who use my anandr@mminternet.com email address, 
it'll be gone in a couple of weeks.  I'm moving.  Again.




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