Two trains from Narita and a couple of blocks walking brought the party of five to the Tendou home. Akane knocked on the door.

"I'll get it." A woman with long brown hair, quite a bit taller than Akane opened the door.

"Welcome back, Akane! So nice to see you again, Mrs. Saotome!" She looked past her sister and Nodoka and saw two women with long free- flowing hair, a diminutive redhead and a taller, thinner girl with purple hair. Both wore beautiful Chinese-style silk dresses. A little girl with pink hair in a ponytail wore a white blouse and a gray skirt and stockings.

Kasumi bowed curtly then looked up with a smile. "I am Tendou Kasumi and you three are?" Kasumi wondered where Ranko was, she had heard from Mr. Saotome that they had found him, but he would say no more.

The teenaged redhead spoke first, after a slight bow. "I am Saotome Ranko, and this is my adoptive daughter."

"Saotome Sakura. Glad to meet you! You're a nice lady." Sakura said with a big grin on her face.

Finally, the teen with purple hair spoke. "Hello, I Shampoo. I Ranko's

"Oh my! Come in please." There was something strange going on. It was obvious Ranko was a woman. Why had their fathers pursued the engagement after Ranko's birth?

Three people inside rose to greet Akane and her guests.

Ranko recognized only one. "Well pop, now that you ain't in fear of your life, you didn't run this time."

"Son, I see only shame when I look at you. I raised you to be a man, and now all that is left is a weak girl, unfit..."

Battle-auras flared around Akane, Ranko, and Shampoo at Genma's pronouncement.

Ranko sought control, but couldn't find it; as any love she had ever had for the man sought to flee her soul. "You jerk! You MADE me a girl! How can you say a thing like that? If you hadn't gone to that stupid training ground NONE of this woulda happened." Finally, she was able to grab hold of her emotions. She continued after a swallow. "Wanna prove your manhood in the yard?"

"I'll teach you some respect for your father, girl!"

"You'll have to EARN my respect old man!" Ranko spat.

The two adjourned to the backyard of the Tendou home. Ranko hoped her dress would survive...

While Genma was totally on the offensive, aiming powerful strikes at his daughter, she was flying and dancing around him with a big grin on her face. It was obvious that none of his attacks would hit her.

Sakura smiled at her mother with pride.

"FIGHT ME RANKO!" Genma shouted. Then he used a technique Ranko had never seen. A great ball of energy hit Ranko in the chest and flung her across the lawn like a rag doll. She came to a rest with the front of her dress shredded and smoking.

Sakura ran to her mother's side in tears.

Ranko did not see the child, or anything except that MAN. She got up and ran to her father, who had relaxed for a second, savoring his victory.

The fight lasted scant additional seconds, as Ranko connected with a flurry of fists and kicks, sending her father into the nearby koi pond. Mr. Panda emerged.

Her revenge complete, Ranko slumped to the ground.

Sakura ran to her mother, then knelt, shaking her. "Mom! Are you all right?" She collapsed on the unconscious girl in tears.

Kasumi soon appeared with a kettle of water, then almost dropped it on the ground in shock at the scene. She hurried over to the panda and doused the animal with it, revealing a grim-faced Genma.

What had he done? He took the kettle from Kasumi's hands and went to his child, emptying it on the unconscious girl, who sputtered and regained consciousness... still female. Genma sank to his knees. "Ranko, I... I..."

Nodoka stood over her husband. "Saotome Genma! NEVER lay your filthy hands on my daughter again, unless she asks you to. Do not train her... do not touch her. Get out of her life!" She finished, almost shaking in rage. She then knelt by her daughter's side and gently lifted her into an embrace, offering her all the love she could.

Ranko regained her senses. She was in her mother's arms... her mother. She painfully sat up, then gave her mother a quick kiss then struggled to her feet.

She looked down at her father. "Pop, maybe there's something I can learn from ya after all. Maybe you can learn something from me, too... I hope you'll learn to give women a little respect. And NEVER forget why I'm a woman!" She turned on her heels and went into the house.

Kasumi, Akane, Sakura, Nodoka, and Shampoo followed close behind.

Genma contemplated the fate of his son. He had only sought to make him a man among men, now his dreams... and Tendou's lay in the gutter. What had happened to Ranko? But he had to admit she was right, his last training exercise had dashed any hopes of uniting the two families. She was a woman by his hand.

=======

Kasumi had invited Ranko and her family to her room. The girl had suffered some minor burns, but would soon recover. Her beautiful dress, however, was a total loss.

Ranko lay on the bed as Kasumi and her mother carefully peeled the fused silk away from her skin. Ranko turned her head slightly so she could catch Shampoo's eye. "Sorry, 'bout the dress, sis..."

Shampoo offered her sister a game smile, and replied in Mandarin. "The dress is only cloth, Ranko. I'm glad you got a chance to wear it. Actually, I'm just happy you're all right, little sister."

Ranko smiled a little and replied in her sister's tongue. "I never really thought the old man had it in him, Shampoo. I never thought he'd ever beat me."

Shampoo just laughed. "Maybe he'll teach us his techniques, then we can make him pay for what he did to you. He's only a man..." Shampoo almost bit her tongue as she realized her mistake.

The two girls giggled.

"There, Ranko. All done. You don't seem to be burned too badly, I think you'll be fine in a few days." Kasumi said with a warm smile.

A sound of running announced the smallest member of the Saotome family. Sakura scurried in carrying a stack of clothing followed by Akane. "Here, mom. Akane helped me get clean clothes out of your pack!"

Ranko sat up, grimacing slightly. "Thanks, little one."

Sakura just smiled as her mom took the clothes.

In a few minutes, with mother and daughter were identically dressed again, the group migrated downstairs.

======

Everyone met in the dojo. Ranko was finally introduced to Nabiki, the middle Tendou and Soun, the Tendou patriarch. In the dojo, Nodoka sat with Kasumi, Nabiki, Soun, and Genma. Shampoo, in a borrowed gi, and Sakura sat along the far wall, watching Akane and Ranko.

Akane looked at her new friend with a bit of concern. "Are you sure you want to do this Ranko?"

Ranko returned a cocky grin. "If I thought you'd be able to hit me I'd be worried."

Akane responded in mock anger. "Oh, you!"

Ranko and Akane squared off. Akane was dressed in a yellow gi, while Ranko was wearing her traditional outfit, her hair again in the ponytail she favored.

Ranko began the battle on the defensive, trying to gauge Akane's abilities. As was the case when she fought her father, this served only to enrage her opponent. Ranko began to throw some counters to Akane's attacks, at about her power level. As Akane was able to block these, Ranko increased the power level until a few got through. The battle continued for several minutes, until Ranko jumped back, saying "Thank you, Akane." Now that the battle was over, she allowed herself a grimace of pain.

Akane looked at Ranko, breathing heavily. "Thanks for the workout. Your control allowed you to provide me with just enough challenge to force me to improve my skills. I would like to train with you."

Ranko went over to the wall and sat down. "Maybe you'd like to test Shampoo, Akane."

"Yeah, after I catch my breath." Akane replied with a smile.

After a few minutes, Shampoo went over to the youngest Tendou. "Akane, you ready? You not wait all day, please!"

While Akane and Shampoo sparred, Ranko and Sakura engaged in a practice session. Nodoka was struck by the differences in her daughter and husband as teachers. Ranko never raised her voice, with both girls treating the workout as a game, though it was obvious that Sakura had become quite skilled. Genma had used shouting and intimidation of Ranko when she last saw him. She was proud of her daughter.

Soun and Genma were impressed with Ranko's abilities. It seemed that she would be a perfect choice to take over the dojo. Perhaps they could still realize that part of their dream.

=======

The workout concluded, the four combatants went upstairs to bathe. Ranko and Sakura waited outside for Shampoo and Akane, then went in after the other two were finished. Ranko put on one of her blue silk shirt & black silk pants combos from the village, while Sakura wore a clean white shirt and gray skirt. After glancing in the mirror to adjust her ponytail and outfit, Ranko headed downstairs with her daughter.

=======

Finally, guests and Tendous gathered downstairs. Once everyone had found a seat, Nabiki asked the question that was on the mind of most Tendous. "So Ranko, why are we engaged to a girl?"

Ranko told the whole story, from his abduction at Jusenkyo and the curse becoming permanent to the flight to Japan. She held the audience's rapt attention for the better part of an hour.

Tendou Soun was in tears long before the end of Ranko's story.

Genma had not fully realized what his son had gone through. He was proud of his child, but could not escape the fact that his mistakes had cost him his son, possibly forever.

Nabiki was intrigued. Nabiki had already seen how much Ranko's adopted daughter loved her mom, and how much Ranko loved her. So she could work in the business world, knowing the kids and house would in the care of a loving parent/spouse. She sized up the redhead with an almost predatory gaze. Perhaps Ranko WAS what she had been looking for. Nabiki gave Ranko the nicest smile she could manage. Ranko flushed and smiled back.

Akane was confused. Ranko was obviously very brave and honorable, just like the man she had dreamed of when she read the article. Unfortunately, he had clearly become a woman, and an unlocked curse would never change that, would it? She saw the love Ranko had for her daughter, and was touched. That brought up the problem, as Akane saw it. Could she marry a woman? Only if the two of them loved each other. Could she love a woman? She wasn't really sure about it. She already knew Ranko was unlike anyone she had ever met, she was special. The problem was in the SHE. Akane smiled at Ranko, and Ranko smiled back. They were already friends, after all.

Kasumi looked at the small woman in front of her. She was beautiful, her clothing showed off her figure well, and Ranko knew it. She knew the doctor down the street was attracted to her, but Ranko would be much closer to her in age. She saw Ranko's love for her daughter and knew it would be wonderful to share it with her. Ranko obviously enjoyed the simple pleasures of housework and motherhood, as well as the martial arts. Kasumi was tall and had a sturdy frame, perhaps if she learned the martial arts from Ranko or Shampoo; Kasumi could share a love for all aspects of Ranko's life, unlike her sisters. She would pursue this further. Kasumi smiled at Ranko, and Ranko smiled back. It was hard to put her hopes for the two of them into a smile, but Kasumi tried.

Uh oh, Now the oldest Tendou girl was smiling at her. It seemed that all three of the daughters were interested in her. Ranko didn't expect THIS turn of events; she was a WOMAN after all! This would be interesting. She had not considered unlocking the curse before now, at least since Sakura had come into her life, but she DID NOT want to marry a man, at least a full-time, born masculine man. But each time she looked at Sakura, she remembered her promise, though she knew the promise didn't matter. SHE wanted to have a child. Would any of these women love her enough to make the sacrifice she would have to make? She would have to get to know each of them.

Shampoo was proud of her sister; she had gazed at Ranko and nodded affirmatively at several points in the narrative. She then noticed each of the three Tendou daughters had smiled at Ranko in turn. She already knew that one of the daughters had been promised to Ranko. She would help find the Kaisuifuu to unlock Ranko's curse so her sister/brother could marry one of these women!

Tears of joy replaced Soun's tears of sorrow when he saw each of his daughters smile at Ranko. He would do everything in his power to help unlock the curse.

Nodoka had seen everything, from Shampoo's encouraging nods, to the fathers' happy smiles. First off, she was glad to see that Shampoo was truly a sister, and not any kind of a rival to the Tendou girls. It seemed that each of them was interested in Ranko. Nodoka would have to get to know each of them, as well as Ranko. She could still not believe it, but it looked like, perhaps, their families could be united.

Shampoo spoke to Ranko in Mandarin, "Ranko, each of those sisters likes you..."

Ranko responded in her sister's tongue. "I know Shampoo, I'm not sure what to do."

Shampoo shook her head knowingly. "Maybe you could train the other two girls. I don't think they are martial artists, though the smaller one obviously works out, and the taller one has the BODY of a warrior, at least."

"Good idea, thanks!" Ranko switched to Japanese. "Sorry 'bout that! My sister Shampoo suggested that I offer to train you, Kasumi and Nabiki. I have already offered to train Akane. Would you two be willing?"

"Yes, I would like that, thank you." Kasumi replied.

"Well, are you going to train Akane one on one? Don't the rest of us deserve equal time?" Nabiki asked, not willing to concede any edge to her younger sister.

Akane glared at Nabiki.

"If each of you wants individual sessions, I guess I could do that." Ranko smiled.

The meeting broke up. Nodoka approached her daughter. "When Will OUR training begin, Ranko?"

"And what about ours?" Genma asked.

"Father, you do have skills I want to learn, but not now. Don't worry, when I'm ready I'll let you know."

Genma looked disappointed. "I understand. I stand ready to train you should you request it." He did understand. Genma was happy she didn't hate him, at least.

"Thank you, father."

Nodoka spoke to Ranko "Ranko, would you and Shampoo like to get some clothes more appropriate to Japan?"

"OK, mom. Can the Tendous come with us?"

"Of course. Why don't you invite them?"

Ranko invited the sisters, who were eager to join them. Seven people headed to the shopping districts. Ranko wondered if she would ever again have time to herself without three Tendous following her. But then, she did invite them, this time.

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