On Her Own

Dwarfed by the cliffs and fortress towering above her, an injured girl picked her way through talus at the base of the escarpment. She wore a torn white garment, a dress, perhaps, and sandals on her feet. Her red hair was matted with blood, mostly dried. She was not sure where she was, but knew she had to get away from here or fate would be far crueler to her than it already had. She heard a faint noise, and dove into a crack between two of the boulders, trying to hold absolutely still. She heard footsteps and the men shouting at each other in a language she did not understand. She would wait several agonizing minutes, knowing they would hear her pounding heart and haul her back inside.

After she was sure the men had gone back to the fortress, the frightened girl crawled out from between the rocks. Only 5 more meters down, and she was on the valley floor. She made her way silently through the shadows away from the area.

Some distance from the fortress, the valley opened up to reveal several pools on the side of the road. Behind her, she heard shouts in the same language she had heard at the fortress. They saw her! She ran. Her head was pounding, and her vision was growing darker, but she made it across the clearing where the pools were.v

The shouts she heard behind her were being answered by voices on this side of the springs. She noticed the light from a watch fire in the distance. She ran even faster. Fire from her exertions began to burn its way up her legs, but she ran on. The fire began to burn her lungs... the bonfire was getting closer, but she would not reach it. She saw a purple flash before fire consumed her consciousness.

=======

A procession of images flew throughout the unconscious girl's mind. A woman's face, her mother's. Travel with... her, no HIS father. Endless Martial Arts training. Finally, the valley of springs... Waking up in the castle. The Musk, that's who those bastards were! Being one of a group of girls splashed by water using a ladle and a strange bucket. Climbing 10 meters up the wall to a window. Making her way down. Her flight from that horrible place to the lights...

=======

The girl groaned and regained consciousness. "Why are the lights so bright in here?"

She heard excited conversation in the language of the... Musk, and bolted upright, to waves of nausea and pain. "No, No! I escaped from you!" She sank despairing back on the bed, drifting out of consciousness again.

The girl felt cool moisture on her head, opened her eyes, and saw a tiny elderly woman, who smiled at her.

"Good morning! You are clever and resourceful to have escaped from the Musk. Who might you be?"

"My name is... Saotome Ranma. My memories ain't too good right now."

"That would be expected after suffering the head injuries you did in getting here. Drink this, you need to rest."

The liquid filled her with warmth, and Ranma drifted back to sleep.

Ranma was awake again, but the nausea was replaced by pangs of hunger. Her guards summoned the old lady in the Musk language again. Strange... She didn't remember seeing any women in the castle, other than her fellow captives.

"Well, do you feel better? You slept for another day. I imagine you are hungry."

"Yeah, I'd like to eat." The pounding headache and nausea were finally gone. Ranma was glad someone had replaced that horrible dress with a bathrobe and some sort of silk pajamas.

The lady issued a command in the Musk... no... Mandarin language, and one of Ranma's guards hurried from the room.

The woman returned with a tray of rice and fruit, which the hungry girl nearly inhaled.

"That was good, bring on more!" The girl exclaimed happily.

"You need to take it a little slower, Ranma. Could you tell me a little more about yourself?"

"Yeah, My name is Saotome Ranma, I am... was... a sixteen year old boy who came to China with my dad, Genma, on a Martial Arts training mission. Though they told us not to, we tried to spar in some cursed spring place. Pop fell into a spring, and I think he turned into a panda, I fell in one and... Became a girl. Pop had read about it in a guidebook. He should have burned that one! Anyways, I woke up in a dungeon of some kind, tied up a whole bunch of girls. They came by with some kind of bucket, and splashed water on us with some kind of ladle or something, laughing and saying something in Mandarin. One of 'em even knew a little Japanese, and told us we were the property of the Musk Dynasty. I decided I had to get out of that crazy place, but I had to wait until the time was right. That night, when the guards fell asleep, I broke the rope they tied me up with, climbed up the wall of the dungeon to a window, and escaped. After sneaking around for a while, I ran across the valley at the spring place, and ended up here."

"My name is Cologne. I am the leader of this village. Though the Jusenkyo curse can usually be reversed by hot water, listening to your story tells me that might not be the case for you."

Cologne gave a command in Mandarin to one of the guards. In a few minutes, the guard returned with a teapot.

"Ranma, could you stand up?"

Ranma stood up, and looked in a nearby mirror. Though her head wounds were still healing, she thought the girl in the mirror would have been beautiful, if it wasn't her. The woman in the mirror was fairly short, with bright red hair, and quite well built. "At least my eyes are still the same, blue as ever!" She watched as one of the guards poured the water over her head. "Hot" she said. Nothing happened.

Cologne closed her eyes for a moment, seeking composure. "It is as I feared. Ranma, the Musk are a truly terrible people." She opened her eyes, trying to offer compassion for the stricken girl with her gaze. "They use an artifact on victims of the 'Spring of Drowned Girl'. This horrible bucket, the Chisuiton, forever traps the spring's victims as women."

Ranma just quivered between rage and horror. "So... I'm a weak, silly, GIRL now FOREVER?" She closed her eyes and buried her head in her hands.

Cologne freed the young woman's chin from her hands, gently lifting it. "Be glad you're here, Ranma. The women created by the Musk are used to strengthen their gene pool."

Concern still on her face, Ranma looked a little puzzled. "What's a pair of pants gotta do with a pool?"

"Women created in the 'Spring of the Drowned Girl' become their wives, and are used to breed new Musk warriors. A beautiful young martial artist like you would be highly prized as a wife."

Ranma swallowed hard, then looked like she was going to be sick. "So those other girls..."

Cologne shook her head sadly. "Were either men like you or strong animals who the Musk thought would make good breeding stock."

At last Ranma thought of someone other than herself. "I wish I'd a been able t' save some of 'em."

"Because you were able to escape and tell me what happened; I will send a raiding party over to try to rescue some of them."

Ranma realized her duty as a martial artist had been fulfilled. She almost smiled. "Thanks, I don't feel as bad about it now!"

"Ranma, if you had tried to escape with all of them, none of you would have made it out. Your bravery has given all of them a chance to escape."

Ranma felt a lot better... until she thought of her situation. "But I'm still a girl." She couldn't keep tears from falling. Being a girl now, she really didn't care about acting unmanly.

"And, since you are now apparently permanently a woman," Cologne added, "it might be easier for those of the village to refer to you by a female name. There is a legend among us of a great female warrior from our past who defended the weak and helpless. Her name was Ranko, and I would consider it an honor if you used her name, at least as long as you are here in our village."

Ranma thought for a few minutes, and then made up her mind. "I would be honored to accept her name."

Cologne smiled. "Good. From now on, those of our village will know you by the name of Ranko."

All of the food she ate, the discussions, and the shock of her situation were catching up with Ranma..."uhhhhhh, I think I need t' go t' sleep again." The girl crawled back into bed and soon cried herself to sleep.

=======

Ranko woke up the next morning feeling much better. As the sun had not come up yet, the village was washed with a dim gray light. It had a while since she had done it, but Ranko stepped outside the house and began a simple kata. Now, she was truly alive again. She began a much more complex kata with her eyes closed; she did not need to use them to know where she was. When she was done, she opened her eyes, and saw a beautiful sunrise. She heard a noise to her right. Turning, she saw a girl about her age. The girl was pretty, which long purple hair. Ranko's expression perked up; the young Amazon held some sort of Chinese maces in her hands, marks of a martial artist.

The girl reflected Ranko's hesitant smile. "Ranko good Martial Artist. My name Shampoo. Shampoo also Martial artist." the girl said, her expression happy, but still guarded.

Ranko's smile became broader in anticipation. "Hey, Shampoo, wanna spar with me?"

Shampoo's finally showed a little of the happiness she felt at meeting a girl her own age to spar with. She gave a brief bow before replying. "Yes, Shampoo like that. Shampoo not go easy on Ranko because Ranko sick."

The redhead assumed her battle stance.

The match began. As usual with a new opponent, Ranko observed Shampoo, trying to discover her attack strategies and power levels. Shampoo repeatedly attacked Ranko, who dodged every blow. Finally, Shampoo feinted with one of her maces, and landed a solid blow with the other.

"You're pretty good... for a girl!" Ranko said to her opponent with a smile.

"Thank you!" Shampoo happily replied, then the comment registered. "Ranko girl too!"

Pleasantries out of the way, it was time to fight in earnest. Ranko continued to dodge Shampoo's blows, then suddenly unleashed a flurry of fists. One of Shampoo's maces was knocked out of her hand. A flip, kick and a punch removed the other. Ranko leapt back. "You fought well." She bowed to her opponent.

Shampoo was excited at the prospect of training with her new friend. "Shampoo train with you?"

Ranko thought of home for a moment, putting a damper on her spirits. "Well, Shampoo, I'm not sure how long I will be staying here..."

"You can stay as long as you like, Ranko" Cologne spoke from the portal of her home, then hopped over to the girl's side. "I would welcome you as a member of our tribe."

"Thanks, I guess. But I'm from Japan, ya know! I'd really like to go... home."

"As you wish. You'll need to recover and prepare for your journey, so stay with us as a guest. Perhaps you can train our warriors. That should be a fair trade." Cologne smiled and offered Ranko her hand. "Deal?"

Ranko shook the withered appendage. "Deal! I'd like t' train your fighters. Those Musk are gonna be sorry they ever got ahold a me." Said with confidence, then bowed deeply. As she got up, tears began to form in, then fall from, her eyes. She ran inside.

=======

Shampoo entered the room where Ranko had been sleeping. She found the girl weeping. "What wrong, Ranko?"

Ranko didn't even look up. "My pop raised me t' be a man. He always said that girls were weak, they distracted men from the Art. Now look at me. I'm just a weak little girl. Girls can't even really be... martial artists. And that's all I was, now I ain't nothing."

Shampoo struggled not to yell at the silly girl. "Ranko, Shampoo best warrior in village. Ranko beat Shampoo even though sick. Ranko strong warrior, not weak. Woman can be strong fighter if want to."

Ranko began to sob again. Shampoo left the room; maybe her great grandmother would know what to do.

=======

Cologne looked thoughtful in response to her great-grandchild's query. "Shampoo, perhaps we can help Ranko accept what she now is using some of our hair care products. Let me see... We can make her forget she was ever male... We can erase her memories..."

Shampoo returned a look of pleading determination. "No, great grandmother. Please let me try to save Ranko without destroying her. She's a brave and skilled warrior, and I like her. Her memories will only make her stronger."

Cologne looked at the child with pride. "Well, granddaughter, as an heir to leadership, you must learn to make difficult decisions. She can be your little project. My method would take only a few seconds, but I'll give you a month."

Shampoo bowed. "Thank you, great grandmother." She left to see Ranko. When the young Amazon got to her room, the girl had cried herself to sleep and seemed to be resting comfortably.

=======

Ranko woke up a few hours later. What a nightmare! He opened his eyes, and saw Shampoo looking at him with a concerned expression. It was no dream. "Shampoo, why are you still here?"

Shampoo shook the daze that had crept up during her vigil away. "Shampoo worried about Ranko. Shampoo like to help Ranko be happy as woman."

"I never got a chance t' be very happy as a guy, Shampoo. Pop and I lived for the Art, ya know. Why should I be happy now that I'm a girl? The Art's all I got left, now. And girls are crummy at the Art."

Shampoo rose and offered her new friend a hand. "Start at beginning. Ranko need clothes. Come with Shampoo."

Ranko accepted the hand, and followed Shampoo out the door. It had been a long time since she had stopped long enough to have a friend, she knew she needed one now.

=======

The seamstress lived in a house similar to the others in the village, the only difference being the clothing displayed in the window. Inside she measured Ranko for her new clothing.

Ranko looked at herself in the mirror. The top of her pajamas was off. The first time she ever saw what a girl REALLY looked like, and it was HERSELF she saw in the mirror! Her face reddened and she averted her eyes. She thought for a moment. She couldn't even look at herself in the mirror! Her fear gave way to tears. "I hate myself!" she whispered.

In that moment Shampoo realized both how easy her grandmother's solution was as well as importance of the task Cologne had given her. She and Ranko would learn much in the coming month. She walked over to the softly sobbing girl. She crouched down to look Ranko in the eyes, speaking softly with the love she already felt for the frightened girl. "Ranko woman now, Shampoo sister. Shampoo want sister be happy. Please no cry. Look mirror. Be proud. Ranko beautiful and strong woman, make fine warrior. Ranko may never be man again. If Ranko not woman, Ranko die. Shampoo think Ranko want live. Please live. Think of parents. Think of sister."

Ranko looked up at the woman in the mirror again. She saw all Shampoo had said she was in that person, in herself. She would not be frightened of her reflection again. Her tears gave way to a tiny smile. It would be difficult to get used to, but she would, with her sister's help. She realized her life depended on it. "Thanks, 'sis'!" Ranko turned to face Shampoo, happiness plain on her face.

vThe seamstress came up to Ranko. "My alterations should be done tomorrow. I think you'll like your new clothes."

Ranko bowed. "Thank you." She was glad the woman spoke Japanese; though she knew that would not often be the case. Shampoo and Ranko left the shop.

=======

The two sisters talked on their way home.

Her tears forgotten, Ranko turned to her... sister with a small smile. "Shampoo, I think I need t' speak Mandarin. Can you help me learn?"

Shampoo nodded. "Of course Ranko. If Ranko live here, even little while, Ranko need speak language. Will Ranko train Shampoo in Martial Art?"

Ranko's smile broadened. "Sure, Shampoo! I'd love t' train ya."

They walked in silence back home. The rest of the day consisted of a few playful attempts at language lessons, which usually ended up with both girls laughing hysterically.

Shampoo's progress with the Japanese girl impressed Cologne. This one would be an asset to the tribe here or in Japan. Perhaps she should try to formalize the relationship between the two. A sister for Shampoo would prove useful in the village or across the sea. Cologne left to consult the scrolls on the matter.

========

Ranko finished her kata then went inside. Shampoo was finishing breakfast. "Good morning, Ranko. Today, we get you new clothes."

"Yeah, Shampoo." Ranko replied, trying to muster SOME excitement for today's trip to the seamstress.

Shampoo turned for a moment from the pot she stirred to wink at her friend. "I think you like you new clothes, Ranko. You see."

=======

Again Ranko was in the shop, looking at one of her new outfits in the mirror. It was a simple, consisting of a sleeveless, sky blue silk shirt and black silk pants. The alterations had made the clothes fit her closely, but not tightly, though there were ties around the ankles. The outfit was similar to what he had worn on the day he had fallen in the spring... before he had changed into his gi... yet it was completely different. The outfit he wore was functional; this outfit showed off the person beneath, enhancing her beauty. The color was also different. His shirt had been red, but hers matched her eyes, not her hair. His hair had been black.

The redhead took a ready stance and looked at her image in the mirror. It was that of a martial artist. She was smaller than before, but her expression and control of same were identical. She also noticed stream of tears coming from her eyes. Was she upset about what he had lost or she had gained? It was what he had lost. She saw Shampoo's reflection in the mirror.

"You like?"

"Yes, I like 'em a lot, Shampoo. I have never had such nice clothes before. I look beautiful..." Tears swallowed her voice, as the girl began to cry. She could not stop the impending torrent.

Shampoo hugged the much smaller girl. "Why you sad Ranko?"

The warmth of the embrace brought Ranko back from her despair. "I've lost what my pop taught me to prize most, my manhood. I am a man, Shampoo. I have to be a man." She began to quiver slightly as despair increasingly became agitation.

Shampoo understood how Ranko felt, but she had to save her. "RANKO! You cannot be man now. You accept this body. You can still be man inside, but must be woman outside. You not accept, you die."

Ranko shook her head no. "But Cologne said there's a way to unlock the curse! Why should I give up hope?"

Shampoo let go of the girl, lifting her chin again to look into her tear-streaked face. "I not say give up hope! Just remember that you will have woman body until you unlock curse. You must accept. You must be woman outside. I help you, please let me!"

Despair threatened to claim the quivering girl again. "But I'm a man!"

Shampoo released the girl's chin, gratified Ranko still looked into her eyes. She placed a hand on each of the redhead's shoulders. The young Amazon spoke again, fighting to keep anger from her voice. "Ranko, I no want tell you this, but if you not want to be woman, Great Grandmother MAKE you woman. She use magic, make Ranko forget he man, maybe forget his life. Make RANKO dead. Shampoo no want. Great Grandmother see strong Woman, Shampoo see brave Ranko. Great Grandmother give Shampoo one month fix Ranko, then she fix Ranko. Ranko die. Shampoo very sad, lose sister."

Shampoo hated to use her trump card on the second day, but she felt something had to be done. She offered her hand to Ranko. "You help Shampoo prove Great Grandmother wrong, or we go now and Ranko die. It just like your Seppuku, but no blood. Ranko's pain end, new warrior happy. But... Shampoo very sad." The thought of losing Ranko actually brought tears to the taller girl's eyes.

Ranko thought for a while, she wanted to live. Cocky determination she had forgotten returned to drive out the despair. She had not chosen to become a woman, but she was one now. She could run away, but only from this place... not from what she was. Here she had a friend, a sister, who understood her problem and wanted to help her.

Ranko looked at Shampoo for a moment. The purple-haired Amazon was very beautiful. HE might have fallen in love with her, but SHE saw her new sister. She already loved this girl, but in a different way. Even if some miracle unlocked her curse, this woman would always be his/her sister. Ranko smiled, filled with her new love.

Shampoo showed playful concern. "What you think about Ranko? You no get funny on Shampoo!"

Ranko wrapped her arms around the larger woman, offering a fierce hug. She spoke softly in Shampoo's ear. "I was just thinking that if I were a man, that I might fall in love with you, but I realized that I already love you as my sister. Even when the curse is unlocked, I think you will always be my sister."

Shampoo returned the embrace. "That nice Ranko, I like have brother, too. If curse unlocked, you be both for Shampoo."

Ranko broke the embrace, happiness returning to her face, to stay. "I think I love my sister very much, even though I just met her. She has already saved me once."

Shampoo almost burst with pride as she replied. "Twice, Ranko. I carry you when you run from Musk and faint. I get scar from Musk spear carrying you. You so brave. No one EVER escape Musk fortress like you!" She showed Ranko a scar on her arm.

"Thank you Shampoo, for everything." Tears came again, now of joy and a bit of love.

Ranko took Shampoo's hand and shook it with a firm grasp. "I'll be damned if that mummy's gonna get rid a me! With your help, Shampoo, we can do this."

"Good, Ranko. I try not kill man inside, but help woman outside. I want brother AND sister. Let's go."

Ranko bowed to the proprietor, "Thank you, the clothes are beautiful."

"You are most welcome," the woman said. After all she had seen and heard, she didn't know what else to say. It was often like this with children of Jusenkyo. This one must be special, she had never heard of such leeway being giving before, but then the heir apparent had taken the girl under her wing.

=======

When a cheerful, almost cocky, Ranko returned with Shampoo, Cologne was even more impressed. It seemed that Shampoo's project was well ahead of schedule. It seemed Ranko would survive, though it was still weeks before her greatest test. If Shampoo succeeded, the rewards would be great.

=======

After returning to their home, Ranko and Shampoo went outside to train in earnest. Ranko prescribed a difficult regimen of exercises, running and sparring designed to increase fitness and fighting prowess. She had learned much in the eleven years she had spent with her father. They also tried to conduct language lessons all the while, and actually found the mental stimulation made the long workouts easier. It would be difficult to do this every day, but both girls were determined. After the first real day of training, both girls were winded.

Ranko stopped panting for a moment to get a few works in. "So, whatcha think of my training, Shampoo?"

Shampoo gave her sister a look of playful anger. "You a monster, Ranko! Your method make strong warrior of me, or they kill me!"

Both girls laughed.

"The same tomorrow, Shampoo?"

"Yes, same. Maybe other warriors join."

"I'd like that, Shampoo."

=======

As days became weeks, more people joined Ranko and Shampoo in training. Ranko could see daily improvement in the practice sessions, and her command of Mandarin had improved greatly as well.

Cologne had also taken it upon herself to teach the Japanese girl a few useful Amazon techniques 'Kachuu Tenshin Amiguriken' and 'Bakusai Tenketsu'. In return, Ranko had taught the Matriarch all she knew of her father's school.

=======

One day Shampoo was a little sick. She trained but seemed a little off. After training, Ranko wanted to talk about it. She looked at her sister with concern. "You seem to be a little sick today, Shampoo."

Shampoo smiled. "It happens to women once a month, Ranko."

Ranko looked concerned. "You mean I'M gonna get sick once a month?"

Shampoo laughed. "Don't worry, Ranko. It's part of making babies."

Ranko's face grew pale.

"But you still need father."

Ranko decided she didn't want to press the issue further. It was a complication she hadn't figured on, however.

Shampoo soon got over her 'sickness'.

Ranko dreaded the days she would have to endure hers.

=======

Ranko's sickness came and went. She was scared at first, but was glad Shampoo had told her about it before. What Shampoo hadn't told her about was all the bleeding involved. She was glad when her sickness was over, but she'd survive, she was a... woman, at least for now.

Cologne was surprised how well Ranko handled the hurdle she had to cross. Shampoo had succeeded, and the tribe was much stronger due to the training sessions. She was glad Shampoo had defended the Japanese girl. Ranko would be an asset to the tribe. Cologne would now formalize the relationship of Shampoo and her 'sister'.

=======

At Ranko's last session, nearly the whole village was training. Shampoo was Ranko's partner in the training exercises, as she was the best warrior in the village. The 'sisters' would demonstrate a new skill, several times at different speeds, and then Ranko and Shampoo would walk among the warriors, helping each group of two perfect the skill they were learning. Looking over the mass of warriors practicing skills she had taught them made her proud.

=======

Ranko went back to the house where she had lived for the past month. Cologne and Shampoo were already there.

First, Cologne spoke "Saotome Ranko, I thank you on behalf of our people. Though it is unusual to make such an offer to one who is leaving us, I would like you to join our tribe. The world grows ever more complex, and our tribe would be well swerved by a sister in Japan. As Shampoo has already told me that the two of you consider yourselves sisters, I can also declare that you are sisters, if you wish."

A surprised, proud smile lit Ranko's face. "Thanks, Cologne. I'd be honored to join your band, and I'd really love to call Shampoo my sister."

"So be it then, welcome to our tribe Ranko. I know you will stand ready to help your sisters if they need you. Also know that, I our eyes, you share a special bond of sisterhood with Shampoo. Henceforth, she shall be your sister as truly as if born so."

Ranko bowed deeply at Cologne. "Thanks again, Cologne. I'll honor my tribe here and in Japan... and especially my sister, Shampoo." It seemed that unlike Japanese, she had been learned proper Mandarin.

Cologne smiled. "Ranko, please accept these gifts from our tribe, in partial payment for the training you have given us." indicating a backpack, a pair of hiking boots, and a small stack of clothing. The clothing consisted of gray pleated skirts, pairs of gray socks, white blouses, various undergarments, a dark blue sweater, a belt, and a long, warm jacket. The backpack contained all manner of camping equipment.

Ranko carefully put her 'old' and new clothes in the pack, leaving one new outfit, which she put on.

She looked in the mirror one last time. Her stay had allowed her wounds to heal, but it looked that she would probably have to live with a scar on her forehead. Her skirt skimmed the top of her knees, and her socks stopped just below. She looked almost like a Japanese schoolgirl. "I guess that's what I am now," Ranko whispered.

She turned from the mirror to look at Cologne and Shampoo. "Thank you, I really appreciate all you guys have done."

Cologne embraced her tribe's newest member. "You are most welcome, Amazon! Please come visit your sisters again."

After Cologne let go, Ranko spoke. "I will! Shampoo, could you walk with me to the edge of the village?"

"Yes, sister. I'd like that!"

The two sisters reached the edge of the village. Ranko turned to Shampoo. "I owe my life to you, Shampoo. You're not just a sister; you're almost like a mother to me. I'll write you whenever I get a chance; and why don't you visit when I get home? Maybe you could join me at school when I get back to Japan."

"Hey, Ranko, that's a great idea! I'll be sure to tell Great- grandmother." She held a paper package, offering it to Ranko. "Please open this before you leave for Japan, Ranko. Goodbye, sister."

"Bye, hope to see you soon! You'll always be in my memories." She gave her sister a hug and a kiss on the cheek, which Shampoo was happy to return.

Ranko took off her pack and added the package. She noticed tears in Shampoo's eyes through her own. Putting her pack back on, she embraced her sister one more time, but not the last. "I love you, Shampoo." She whispered.

"So do I, sister." Shampoo whispered back.

Breaking the embrace, Ranko pivoted and hiked down the road. At the top of a small hill, she turned, and waved to her sister once more, then walked down the other side.

Both sisters knew they would see each other again.

======================================================================


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