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Happosi, for all his many, many faults, was a fighter of incredible strength and skill.

Ranma, for all his strengths, could be manipulated, and often with surprising ease.

Hit with a rather large bucket of ice cold water, he, or she, was in no mood to consider that Happosi might be up to something. All she wanted to do was pound on the little pervert a little, well, a lot.

The tiny old man dodged a flurry of attacks, if just barely, waiting for the opening he knew that Ranma would give him. He had not been teaching-though teaching was not a word many other may have used-Ranma for all that time without learning something about her fighting style.

Both Ranma and Happosi realised that there was an opening at the same time. Ranma cursed herself as a fool and braced herself for what was likely to be a painful lesson. What Happosi did surprised her greatly.

From within his clothing he removed a golden bracelet that he then clipped around Ranma's left wrist. Ranma, while surprised, did not let that stop her from taking advantage of the opening that Happosi left for her.

The kick was well executed, with enough force behind it to launch the little man high into the sky. Ranma watched until Happosi's form became like a dot, then faded into the haze above the city.

Letting out a deep breath she dropped down to sit on the ground. She looked warily at the bracelet, wondering if perhaps it was about to do something, like explode. After a few seconds, when it did not seem to be about to do anything, she reached out and grasped it between thumb and forefinger, trying to remove it. It would not come loose.

A closer examination of it showed no catch or other fastening device. If she had not seen Happosi close it around her wrist she would have sworn that it was an unbroken band of metal.

It would not slide off her wrist. It fit tightly, without being uncomfortable, and the metal was hard and unyielding under her fingers. After a time of unproductive work she gave up. Sighing loudly she got to her feet, shook her wet, red hair out, then started towards home.

She'd give this all some thought after a hot bath and a meal.

Nabiki ignored it, figuring that Ranma would head straight up to the bath. There was no value in Ranma at that moment; she had plenty of pictures of the red head to last a few months. She bit the top of the iced candy off and turned her full attention back to her ledgers.

A few minutes later a high-pitched scream got her full attention. A scream like that could mean a lot of things, but to Nabiki it meant the possibility of profit. One person's crisis was Nabiki's opportunity.

Being the only one in the house at the time she did not have to deal with a crowd when she reached the bath. She opened the door and found Ranma, seated upon a plastic bathing stool, spraying herself with the showerhead. The steam rising from the water, as well as the reddening skin on Ranma's body let her know that the water was indeed hot.

As nothing was happening she understood why Ranma had screamed.

At the sound of the door sliding open Ranma looked towards the doorway where Nabiki stood. "Nothing is happening!" she said, a hint of tears in her voice.

Nabiki nodded. "So I see." Her mind was in a whirl with what it might mean to her, the family, Akane especially, and of course how she might profit from it. Then her mind snapped back to the now. "You better turn off the water before you really burn yourself," she said practically.

Ranma slowly reached out and pushed the water tap in, cutting off the flow of the water. Except for the drip of water the room fell silent as Ranma and Nabiki stared at each other, both trying to decide just what had happened.

With Ranma's explanation of what had happened Akane came to the conclusion that the bracelet that Happosi had placed on Ranma was the agent responsible. Of course Ranma and Nabiki had already come to that conclusion, but decided not to say anything.

Everyone tried to get it off. Akane, Genma and Soun all tried brute force, with no luck. Kasumi tried lubricating Ranma's wrist with oil, soap, and a few other substances, again with no luck. Tools were brought out. Ranma and Nabiki had tried it all earlier, but again let the others work it out for themselves.

Finally the conclusion was reached that nothing could be done. At least nothing that they were capable of.

"If only I knew what this things was," Ranma said, holding her wrist and the bracelet on it up at eye level.

"Dragon's Bracelet," a low voice said from behind them.

"It's the ghoul!" Ranma said, recognising the voice.

"Don't call me a ghoul little girl," Cologne snapped as she whacked Ranma over the head with her staff.

"Don't call me a girl!" Ranma snapped, throwing a series of punches at the old woman.

"You get used to it," Cologne answered as she blocked those punches.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Akane asked.

"Dragon's Bracelet. Made by powerful sorcerer long ago. Used it to trap dragon in human form for wife."

"What?" Ranma asked, stopping his attack on Cologne.

Cologne whacked Ranma on the head once more, and then sat back. "Powerful sorcerer made bracelet. Put it on Dragon. Dragon trapped in human form. Sorcerer took Dragon as wife. Then Dragon killed him. Bad plan on sorcerer's part."

"So what, I have to kill Happosi?" Ranma asked. From the sound of her voice it was not an idea she found displeasing.

"You can, but will not affect bracelet."

"So how does Ranma get it off?" Soun demanded, tears in his eyes.

Cologne was silent for several seconds, as if deep in thought. Everyone leaned towards her, waiting to see what she might say. "I don't know," was all she said.

Most of them fell forward, not quite believing it.

Ranma grabbed Cologne. "There has to be a way to get this off!"

"It was made to hold Dragon. You think human get it off?"

"Well, it's not on the Dragon now!"

"Said took Dragon thousand years to remove it. Dragon much more wise. For you, maybe a million years."

Ranma let her go and stared at the bracelet. "There has to be a way to get it off."

Cologne shook her head. "Now you no be Shampoo's groom. Shampoo and I leave, back to China."

"You're leaving?" Nabiki asked.

"No point in staying."

Cologne's pronouncement made it all real to them. If the old woman, who had tried so hard to bring Shampoo and Ranma together was giving up, well, it had to be real.

Cologne looked at Ranma. "I tell Shampoo to no kill you now. This special case."

"Thanks," Ranma said softly. Whatever else she had to deal with, at least she would not have to deal with Shampoo trying to kill her.

"Best for Shampoo," the old woman said as she hopped upon her staff and left, the staff tap, tap tapping on the floor as she left.

There was silence for a few minutes as everyone thought about what had happened. Kasumi was the first to say it. "I guess Ranma is stuck as a girl."

Ranma went up to the guest room and sunk into something of a depressed funk that was only broken during the few times that Happosi dropped by to see his pretty Ranma-chan. During those time Ranma showed her fighting skills had not changed in the slightest and Happosi was sent flying off, ending up farther and farther from Nerima each time.

Genma gave it some thought, and deciding that he'd never make Ranma a man among men did the only thing he could think of. He gathered up his stuff and ran off.

Soun, seeing that it was unlikely that his any of his daughters would marry Genma's son, seeing as the young man had, in a way, ceased to exist, was considering other possibilities. He had to marry one of his daughters off to someone who could run the Tendou family dojo. Of course, there was no shortage of male, martial artists in the area. Perhaps one of them…

Kasumi thought it was terrible, what had happened to Ranma, but the family still had to be taken care of. She did go to Dr. Tofu to see if he might have any suggestions, but he did not seem to be of any help. It was odd.

Nabiki was giving the financial situation some thought. There was a lot of potential money to be made out of a fully female Ranma, as long as Nabiki could convince her to go along with it.

Ryoga, when he heard about it, showed up to comfort Akane. As he saw it he now had his chance. What was more, Soun was looking at the young martial artist with some thought.

Others who learned of Ranma's situation, and who knew of his curse, took the news various ways.

As for Akane, she did not know what to think. Ranma was still the same person, but she was a girl now. Always a girl. She did not know how to deal with it.

And so things went, for a few days.

Then Ranma decided that he had to do something. He got up and went to the only person who could help him. Nabiki.

"You want my help?" Nabiki asked, a little surprised.

"You want her help?" Akane demanded, surprised and hurt. Why could Ranma not have some to her?

"You're the only one who can help me," Ranma said.

"How?" Nabiki asked.

"How?" Akane asked.

"I need information. I need an expert. I need someone who knows about this." She held up the bracelet around her left wrist. "I need someone who knows about curses. This is beyond me, and anyone I know, so I have to go and find someone who is an expert."

"I see," Nabiki said.

"That's a good idea," Akane said.

"You sound surprised," Ranma looked over at her, her face deadpan.

"Well, it's just that you usually don't try anything so, well, well thought out."

"This time fighting and training do not seem like they will work. It is time to try something different."

"You know this could be expensive," Nabiki told him. "The initial search, and then if we find someone who does not live in the country, well, it's all going to add up."

Ranma nodded. "I understand, and I'm sure that you have ideas on how I can make that money."

Nabiki nodded. "I might, but I'm not sure you are going to like it very much."

"Nabiki, what are you thinking?" Akane asked, not certain that she could trust Nabiki in such things. She was her sister and all, but Akane knew that Nabiki's moral compass was a little skewed when it came to money.

"It doesn't matter. I'll do whatever I need to in order to get this bracelet off and to become a man again," Ranma told them.

A week's work in a hostess bar had paid Nabiki's fees, and had given Ranma the money she needed to make the journey. If she never had to wear a stewardess' uniform again it would be too soon. A week of coming home, reeking of tobacco, a week of getting groped by drunken salarymen, a week of high heels and pantyhose, finally over. She had put up with it because she had to, but now it was over and she was on her journey.

The Tendous had come to see her off at the train station. Ranma had promised that she would come back soon, the problem dealt with.

Soun had told her to do her best, but Ranma could see he did not believe that she would succeed. Nabiki had wished him luck, but had mentioned if she did not succeed, there was always a lot of jobs or her. Kasumi had been very kind, giving her a lunch to take on her way.

Akane had taken her hands in hers, with tears in her eyes, and had told Ranma to hurry back to her. Ranma had almost cried herself. Sometimes Akane could be quite kind.

Then she had boarded the train that would take her to Kyoto where the expert was waiting. Ranma stated out at the passing scenery as she was taken south. She would get the bracelet removed and she would come back. She was certain of that.

Rin Se Lin moved her head to the side, letting the figurine pass by her ear to shatter on the wall behind her. The small object had been worth several times more than the girl's father made in a year, but Rin did not really care about it. She was more concerned with the girl.

"Kaseko," she began.

"I don't want to hear it!" Kaseko screamed. "I never want to see you again. Just leave me alone." She spun, the pleated skirt of her school uniform rising up around her, then stormed out of the shop. She did not look back.

Rin sighed. "So close," she said softly.

It had been like that for her a number of times. She suspected that she pushed a little to quickly, did not give the girls time to adjust to what she wanted. It was so hard to take her time though. She wanted things and she wanted them right away. It was part of her nature. Try as she may have she had not had much luck in changing it.

"Excuse me," someone said from the front doors.

Rin looked up. Standing just inside the doors was a young woman with her red hair in a single braid. She was wearing loose clothing that did not fit her very well, and carrying a large backpack. "Welcome to my shop," Rin said. "How can I be of assistance today?"

"I've heard that you are an expert on the occult, specifically in Asian cultures," Ranma said. "I need the help of someone like that."

"I'm not sure that I would say and expert," Rin said. "I do have a fair knowledge of the area."

Ranma nodded as she slipped her pack from her shoulder and let it fall to the ground. She stepped forward, determinedly, and slid the sleeve of her shirt up her left arm. "Do you know what this is?"

Rin, a little surprised by the determine action of the young woman, did not look at what the girl was showing her for a few seconds. When she finally did and she saw the bracelet, she let out a little gasp.

"Do you recognise it?" Ranma asked, hope in her voice.

"Yes I do," she said, staring at the bracelet. Then she looked back up at Ranma's face. She carefully examined the girl in front of her. "How did you come to be wearing this?"

"It's a long story," Ranma said.

"Well, why don't I pour us some tea and you can tell me. I like stories, long or short."

Ranma nodded.

A short time later the two knelt at a small table in the back of the shop, tea in their hands.

"It started when my father took me to China for training," Ranma began.

She had time.

"Well, I'm not sure we can do anything."

"What do you mean?" Ranma asked.

"Well, you've tired everything you could to remove that bracelet, short of cutting your hand off. You didn't try to cut you hand off did you?"

"No, of course not. Why would you think I'd do that?"

"Desperation. I do not think you would have had much luck though. The way that bracelet was designed, it would not allow such an easy solution."

"Well, I'd rather not try it."

"Understandable. It does not matter though. I do not think that anything can be done."

"But the dragon that this was made for got it off," Ranma said. She sounded rather unhappy.

"You're not a Dragon."

"I thought you might find out how the Dragon managed to remove it. That was why I came to you."

"I see," Rin said. "I do not know if there are such records to be found." She paused and watched as Ranma's face fell. "But it will not hurt to do some research into it. It might be possible we find something."

"Do you think so?" Ranma asked, suddenly hopeful again.

"I really don't know, but I will try."

"Thank you!" Ranma nearly gushed. She looked very happy and very hopeful.

"Don't thank me yet," Rin warned, but smiled all the same. "Now, this is going to take a few days. Where are you staying?"

Ranma looked a little confused for a moment. "No where, not yet. I just got into Kyoto and came right here."

Rin nodded. "Well, if you wish, you may stay here."

"Are you sure that is okay?"

Rin nodded. "It will be easier if you are close by in case I need to ask some questions, or examine the bracelet."

Ranma nodded. "Sounds good."

"Now, on to the question of cost."

Ranma reached into her shirt and produced a wad of Yen. "Here's what I have."

Rin was a little surprised by the large amount of money that the girl had produced, she did not show it though. "This will be fine, to start, at least."

"If I need to, I can earn more," Ranma said, her jaw set. She would not be happy if she had to work at another Hostess bar, but she would do so.

"We'll worry about that later. Now, let me see that bracelet."

"Why?" Ranma said, even as she held her left hand out towards Rin.

"I'm going to try to remove it."

"But you said…"

"I know what I said Ranma-san, but I need to get a feeling for how powerful it is. I won't be able to remove it, but I'll know how strong it is. Later, as we experiment, I'll have a better idea of how we are progressing."

"I see," Ranma said.

Rin took one of Ranma's hands in her, her other hand placed on the bracelet. Ranma felt her cheeks grow hot at the contact, but Rin's eyes were closed so she did not see. For a time nothing happened, then the bracelet grew cold, almost painfully so. A few seconds later Rin released the bracelet, but kept a hold on Ranma's hand.

"It is very powerful," she told Ranma.

Ranma nodded, having expected as much.

"We'll do what we can though." She stood up, pulling Ranma to her feet. "We'll see this through together, if you are up to it. It is bound to be difficult."

Ranma smiled and laughed. "I'm not afraid of anything that is difficult."

"I'm glad to hear it," Rin said, smiling at Ranma.

Ranma smiled back, and then a few seconds later noted they were still, basically, holding hands. She took her hand from Rin's, trying to make it look natural. She did not do a very good job. "So, is there anything I can do for you while I'm here?"

Rin nodded. "If you don't mind, this place could use a little cleaning."

"Right," Ranma said, fully intending on staying on Rin's good side.

At least something good was coming out of things.

During the day she helped Rin out in the shop, doing some cleaning, helping the occasional customer, just doing what she could to make herself useful. She took up the shopping and the cooking as Rin was spending a lot of time researching Ranma's problem.

A few days after she had arrived Rin called Ranma into her cramped office at the back of the house. "I've found some things out," she told her.

"What?" Ranma asked hopefully.

"A little about the Dragon who that," she indicated the bracelet about Ranma's wrist, "was made for."

Ranma nodded, wanting her to go on.

"It did trap the Dragon in a human, female form, but did not stop the Dragon from being a Dragon. It killed the foolish sorcerer who had trapped it, and then went on to do what upset Dragons do, which is just cause some massive destruction and make everyone miserable.

"Then, about a century later, the Dragon stopped being such a, well, a Dragon. It began to act more human, a powerful human certainly, but human, perhaps more female as well, but I'm not sure about that.

"After that, the stories of the Dragon begin to fade. Nothing big enough to keep the historians' interest I guess. There are a few tales her and there about the Dragon in the woman's form, but not many."

She stopped and looked at Ranma.

"So what does it mean?" Ranma asked.

"I'm not sure, but I have a theory."

"What is it," Ranma almost demanded.

"The bracelet is designed to hold the wearer in one form, no matter how powerful the force that might wish otherwise, be that a Dragon's magic, or your curse. I suspect, and it is only a theory, that the harder you try to fight the bracelet, the more powerful it becomes."

"I don't understand," Ranma said.

"Think of it like this. The Dragon was constantly trying to break free, to refuse to be what its form suggested. Then it stopped acting like a Dragon and more like what it appeared to be. I think that as the Dragon stopped fighting it, the magic in the bracelet grew weaker. Eventually the spell was broken."

Ranma thought about it. "So I have to stop fighting this?"

"I think that may be the way to remove it."

"But how am I supposed to do that? How am I fighting it?"

"I suspect that in you are fighting to remain as male as possible. Look at the way you act, the way you dress. You are fighting this with all your might, and of course it is not working."

Ranma looked a little surprised. "You mean I have to act like a girl?"

"That may be of use."

"But I'm not a girl!"

"I know that, but that bracelet will keep you in the form of a girl. It may not be easy, and perhaps you might not be up to it, but you may have to become more feminine to weaken the hold it has on you."

Ranma did not like the sound of that, but the comment that she might not be up to it caused her to straighten up. "I'll do whatever is necessary."

Rin nodded. "I'm sure you will."

Ranma stared at her for several seconds, obviously waiting. Finally she said, "What should I do?"

Rin shrugged her shoulders. "You'll have to do what you think will work best. It is up to you to decide how best to become that which the bracelet is forcing you to be. Give it some thought. I'll continue to do the necessary research, maybe I'll find something more useful."

Ranma nodded as she stood up. "I'll think about it."

"Good," Rin said, smiling at her.

She went to a shopping mall and, well, shopped. Nothing excessive, she staid away from anything too feminine, but picked up some skirts, a few blouses, and some proper female underwear. As she stood in the changing room, looking at the outfit she had picked out, she was not certain if she was up to it.

Then she set her jaw and got dressed. She would do it, and there was nothing she was not up to.

Later it was a different looking Ranma who walked from the store, carrying a few shopping bags with her. The loose fitting clothing was gone, replaced by a smart looking grey skirt and a light blue blouse.

She walked with a determined, yet feminine, manner. She would beat this thing. She was certain of it.

She decided that she was going to move onto the next stage. Maybe she was rushing it, but she did not think so.

That night, after she had once again tested the strength of the bracelet, she told Ranma that she thought the hold had become a little weaker.

"Do you think you will be able to remove it?" she asked excitedly.

Rin shook her head. "While maybe a little weaker, it is still far too strong for me to even make an attempt. It is going to take a lot more work."

"I see," Ranma said, sighing.

"Perhaps we should try something else."

"What?" Ranma asked.

"Something that may help you become more female, though you might find this a little disturbing."

Ranma gulped, a little worried by the ominous sounding words. "I'll do whatever I need to," she said, straightening her back.

Rin nodded and then reached under the nearby table. What she brought forth surprised Ranma more than a little. It was a black, plastic rod. It took Ranma a second to realise it was a vibrator. "That, that, that…"

"It's a vibrator," Rin said, nodding. "An phallus, used for a woman's pleasure."

"You, you, you want me to use that?"

"Sexuality is part of being female. I think it will help you achieve your goals."

Ranma's eyes had gone wide. She shook her head.

Rin nodded. "Well, if it is too much for you." She began to put the vibrator away.

Ranma suddenly grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Do you think it will really help?" she asked.

Rin nodded.

Ranma, eyes still wide, took the vibrator from Rin's hand. She held it in her own, staring at it for several seconds. "I have to think about this," she said, getting to her feet and then walking away.

Rin nodded and watched her go.

Later, as Rin worked in the small garden behind her house, she smiled at the soft sounds of moans, and the hum of a tiny motor. Curiosity and a perceived need were very powerful forces. Coupled with pleasure, well, she had no doubt that Ranma would be taking advantage of her little gift many times over the next few weeks.

She had also ended up back in school after being caught by a police officer who wanted to know why she was not in school. Now she was attending an all girls school. She was not happy about that, but according to Rin it was for the best. She told Ranma that the magic in the bracelet was weakening.

School, chores about the house, and training kept her days full. And then, nightly, she would take the black vibrator from her closet and use it to pleasure herself. If felt so good, and it was necessary, so Ranma had stopped feeling guilty. As she lay in her dark room, using the black plastic to pleasure herself, she wondered if the other girls she had known had done the same.

A vision of Akane came unbidden into her head and Ranma felt herself blushing.

Then the door to her room opened, letting in light from the hallway. Rin stood there, looking down on Ranma. She was wearing a diaphanous robe that was open in front. There was nothing underneath.

"Rin-san," Ranma said, very surprised. The vibrator dropped from her fingers.

"Being alone is not a good thing," Rin said as she crossed the room and knelt down beside Ranma.

"What?" Then Ranma turned her face away from her. "Please, leave."

"Do you really want me to?" Rin asked as she reached out and light brushed Ranma's sensitive nipples with her fingers.

Ranma gasped.

Rin began to massage Ranma's breasts with one hand, squeezing them and tweaking her nipples, as her other hand slid down Ranma's flat stomach. "Do you really want me to go?"

"Yes," Ranma said, but did nothing to stop Rin.

"Then I better go," Rin said as her hand slid between Ranma's legs. "After all, if you don't want me here." She slid two fingers into Ranma.

Raman gasped again.

"I'm not one to stay where I am not wanted," Rin said as she continued to work on Ranma. She had not intentions of leaving, and she knew Ranma would not want her to stop. She felt pleased with the progress she was making.

Ranma let out a loud moan under the skilful manipulation of Rin's fingers. Rin leaned forward and kissed her deeply.

She set out on a Saturday, wearing a pair of simple overalls and a light sweater. She did not want to meet Akane while she was wearing a skirt or dress.

They met at the train station, greeting each other as they usually did, with feigned distaste. Not long afterwards they were seated at a small café near the restaurant.

They talked of things of little importance for the first little while. Akane brought it up first by asking, "Are you any closer to removing the bracelet?"

Ranma said nothing for a few seconds. "I don't know. I'm working on something that might do it."

"What?" Akane asked.

"Just a kind of training, nothing that is worth mentioning."

Akane considered pushing it, but decided not to. It was obvious that Ranma did not want to talk about it. "Nabiki came up with an interesting thought."

"What?" Ranma asked.

"Well, as long as you are stuck like this, it is not as if our families can ever be joined."

"So?" Ranma asked.

"So, it does not matter which of us, Nabiki, Kasumi, or I, get married to. Just as long as one of us does so there can be children to take over."

"And this is good because?"

"I can wait for you," Akane simply said.

"What?"

"I can wait for you, as long as it takes," she said again.

Ranma was silent for a time as she considered Akane's words. "You won't have to wait long," Ranma said, sounding like her old male self. "I'll have this thing licked in no time."

"Of course you will," Akane agreed.

"But if I don't..."

"But you will." Akane stated.

"Yes, but let's just pretend I don't, or maybe it takes a long time, I don't think you should wait too long." Ranma was thinking that Akane deserved a chance at happiness. She hated the thought of Akane pining away for her.

"What do you mean?" Akane asked.

"It would be wrong for you to give up that part of your life. I'll get this thing off soon enough," Ranma held up the bracelet, "but I want to know that you would go on with your life if I didn't. I can't stand the thought of you being a weepy girl over me."

Akane looked angry at the insult for a moment, then her expression softened. "You're actually being nice and thoughtful. Maybe being a girl agrees with you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Ranma said with a little more force than she intended. She was thinking of the night before with Rin, and how the woman had introduced some new toys to their lovemaking.

"I fully expect that you'll have dealt with this soon," Akane told him, "and if you haven't your obviously not the man I thought you were." She smiled brightly at Ranma.

Ranma smiled back.

I think you may be waiting a very long time Akane Tendou, Rin thought.

Ranma was cleaning up the store area, putting things back into order when Rin called her over to the small table in the corner of the store. Ranma came over and knelt down. "What is it?" she asked.

"I have an idea that might help speed things up, but I'm not sure it will work, or that you'll want to try it."

Ranma, who had become more feminine, had let herself become the passive partner in a lesbian relationship, did not think there was anything else that she would not try. "What is it?"

"I think that not only do you have to become more feminine, but you have to become more like her."

"Who."

"The girl who drowned in the spring so long ago. That is the form you take, that is the form that the bracelet is forcing you to be."

"I don't know anything about her," Ranma almost wailed.

"I know, but I've been doing some research and have found out some things about her."

"What?" Ranma demanded.

"She was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, well off, well educated, and, if I understand what I have uncovered so far, very immature."

"Immature?"

"It was like she was refusing to grow up. She acted like a child, refusing as much responsibility as she could."

"So what, I have to become immature?"

"Perhaps."

Ranma said nothing, then slumped forward slightly. "This is getting to be too much."

Rin nodded. "I agree. You've done all you can. I think it is time for you to give up."

Ranma straightened up. "No, I won't give up. I'm not going to let this beat me," she said as she held up the bracelet.

"Are you sure that you really want to continue. I mean, this is getting rather extreme."

"I don't care," Ranma said, slapping her hand on the surface of the table. "I'll do this!"

Rin said nothing for a time; then she nodded. "I'll help you. If you want."

"Thank you," Ranma said, bowing slightly. She looked up at Rin and gave her a slightly chagrined smile. "I don't know where to start."

"Well, perhaps with your wardrobe," Rin offered.

Behind her Rin stood, looking critically at Ranma. "I think this is a good start."

"I look like a child," Ranma said.

"Which is the point."

Ranma nodded glumly. "I guess now I have to start acting like a five year old."

"Perhaps, but maybe not."

Ranma looked at Rin. "You don't actually believe that do you?"

Rin shrugged her shoulders. "You should not push yourself too hard in this."

"If this is what I have to do, then I'll do it, no matter what it takes Rin-san."

Rin nodded. "Well, maybe you should start calling me 'older sister' then."

Ranma looked a little surprised by that, but nodded after a moment.

"And little girls don't tend to make grandiose statements like that."

Ranma dropped her eyes, feeling a little embarrassed at failing in getting things right. "Yes Rin-oneesan," she said in a soft voice.

"Better," Rin told her. "Perhaps you will be able to do it." She sounded a little sceptical.

Ranma wanted to state that she would, but realised that that was not right. Instead she simply nodded and said nothing.

He happily made his way to Kyoto, intent on finding his pretty Ranma-chan. As he stalked silently through the streets of the old capital, stopping occasionally to liberate a new piece of lingerie that caught his eyes, he happily thought of his Ranma-chan.

As he closed on the address that Nabiki had given him he lost sense of his surroundings, thinking of Ranma-chan as he was.

"What are you doing here old man?" someone asked from behind him.

Happosi spun about, surprised, and found himself staring at a very beautiful woman. He started to smile lecherously, wondering what type of panties the woman might wear. Then the smile froze on his face.

The woman smiled. "You are a little more perceptive then I would have given you. A pity you did not see fit to teach Ranma how to see what was important."

Happosi wanted to say something, but he could not find his voice.

"Ranma is mine now. You will go and never try to find her again." Rin said, then she turned and started walking away.

Happosi stood where he was for a time, then turned and began to slink off. He might be a lecherous old man, but he had a strong sense of survival for what really mattered and he knew a loosing situation when he found himself in one.

The childish behaviour was certainly odd, but Ranma was cute enough that most people did not see it as a bad thing. She could get away with it. Still, a few wondered if something was wrong with her. After all, there were limits to cute in some people's minds, and the thick cotton panties (hardly a step above training panties) with the anime characters on them seemed a little much.

Still, other than a few curious comments, no one said anything.

Ranma would not have cared if they had. She was determined to complete this new form of training, as she saw it, in order to beat the bracelet.

Rin watched and waited for the best time to begin the next stage. She chose a Saturday afternoon, a few weeks after she had started Ranma down the road of childishness. She had made the preparations and could only hope that she was not pushing things forward too quickly. She might have, in other circumstances, but she could see the drive in Ranma. She would go as far as necessary, even if it destroyed her. Which it might, in a way.

When she opened the door to Ranma's room she found the girl, in a short skirt, and pink blouse, playing with some dolls. It has a forced quality to it, and yet, there was a hint of reality in it.

Ranma looked up, blushing slightly.

Rin walked over, knelt down, and then kissed Ranma. She noted, happily, how Ranma melted into her arms. The sex was the only adult thing remaining in their relationship.

"I've found out more about the young woman who drowned in the spring," Rin said after she had broken the kiss.

"What is it Rin-oneesan?" Ranma asked.

"You are not going to like it."

"Please tell me."

"She drowned while she was running away from home," Rin began. "Her parents had grown tired of her behaviour and had just decided to marry her off. She was not happy about that and ran away."

"I can understand why she would not be happy about an arranged marriage," Ranma said softly.

Rin leaned down and kissed Ranma on the forehead. "That she was running away does not really matter, it is where she was running to."

Ranma waited for a time, to see if Rin would continue, then asked, "Where was she running to?"

"To her grandmother's estate. I found some records. It seems that her Grandmother was willing to take her in and let the girl behave as she wanted to. As I understand it the grandmother had agreed to let the girl act as she really wanted."

Ranma waited again, and then asked, "How did she really want to behave?"

"Like a very young child," Rin paused, then added, "very, very young."

Ranma swallowed. "How young."

"I'd guess about two."

Ranma eyes widened. "Two?" she said, disbelief in her voice.

Rin nodded. "I know. It is way too much." Rin put an arm around Ranma's shoulder and pulled her close. "You worked incredibly hard at this, but you have to realise when there is a time to give up."

Ranma shook her head. "I won't give up," she stated.

"Please Ranma, don't do this to yourself. You did everything you could. This is too much to ask of anyone."

Ranma shook her head again. "I have to do this. I've come too far." She was nearly crying.

Rin sighed. "Are you sure of this?"

"Yes," Ranma said.

Rin sighed again. "I'll help you, but," she paused, "I really don't think you should do this."

"Thank you for caring," Ranma told her. "I have to do this. I have to take it to the end."

Rin got to her feet. "Wait here. I'll got and get the things we need."

"Thank you Rin-oneesan," Ranma said softly.

Rin left the room and closed the door behind her. In the privacy of the hall she smiled. She had finally managed it.

"What are you doing?" Ranma asked.

"Do you know that many two year olds that can dress and undress themselves?" Rin asked simply.

Ranma could not think of any two year olds that could dress or undress themselves. She said nothing at Rin removed her blouse, then the bra, followed by her skirt, socks and then the cotton panties. She was left, sitting on the floor, naked, her little girl clothes folded neatly beside her.

Rin went to one of the bags and removed a pale blue diaper cover. She laid it out on the floor in front of Ranma.

Ranma stared wide-eyed at the diaper cover. She had somehow knew what was coming, but seeing it in front of her made it all very real.

"If you want, we can stop," Rin said.

Ranma shook her head. She was not going to give up now, not after coming so far.

Rin nodded and then reached into another bag, brining out a package of cloth diapers. She ripped the plastic wrap free and began laying out several diapers in a T pattern over the diaper cover.

Satisfied with her work she had Ranma lay on her back and then slid the diapers and cover underneath Ranma's bottom.

As Ranma settled on the diapers, feeling the soft cushioning effect of the diapers, she blushed. As she shifted she could hear the plastic in the diaper cover creak and rustle. It was all so much at once.

Rin took some talcum powder from one of the bags and sprinkled the powder between Ranma's legs and on her stomach. She then gently rubbed the powder into Ranma's skin, wanting to make sure the girl had a chance to enjoy the sensation and the smell.

That done she then pulled the diapers up between Ranma's legs, and wrapped them around her waist. Once the thick, cotton cloths were in place she pulled the centre part of the diaper cover up through Ranma's legs, then the sides of the diaper cover came over, a series of snaps securing the diaper cover around Ranma.

Ranma reached down and gently ran her hand over the diaper cover. She could feel the diapers under it, the slickness of the plastic covering, and the cool steel of the snaps that held it secure. Was she really wearing it? It seemed so hard to see herself in a diaper, but that was what she was wearing.

Rin let Ranma absorb the situation as she took another purchase from the bag that had held the diapers. "Sit up," she said to Ranma.

Ranma sat up and saw what Rin was holding. It was pink, with lace and frills, a baby doll nightie, or, perhaps, a very large baby dress. She wanted to say that she would never wear that, but she could not. That was exactly what she had to wear.

"Put your arms up Ranma-chan," Rin said. Ranma did as she was told and Rin slipped the baby dress over Ranma. Once it was one it did not over Ranma's diapers, but then again, it was not supposed to. "You look perfect," Rin said with a smile she could not hide.

Ranma nodded, misinterpreting the smile.

"I'm going to make us dinner," Rin said as she began to gather up the things she had brought and clean up. You just play in your room until then. A few seconds later she was gone, leaving Ranma alone.

Ranma sat where she was for several minutes, then she shifted about on the floor so she could look at herself in the mirror. She did not like what she saw there. Her hair in pig tails, the pink baby dress, the obvious diaper, more than half of it visible, made her look like a baby, which was the point.

She ran her hands down the front of the dress, feeling her full breasts. At least those did not make her look like a baby. A little reminder that she was in fact a woman, no, an adult. The entire point of this was to stop being a woman. Of course at that moment she did not feel much like a man, or a woman, or a girl. She felt like a baby, and the presence of her breasts did not do much to help her.

She looked around the room, not sure what she was supposed to do. What did toddlers do? She looked at the toys she had been playing with earlier and moved towards them. As she began to play she thought about the reason why she was doing it and why she could not fail.

Ranma had taken all the steps of her own choice. It was so delicious.

She let out a sharp gasp of pleasure as her fingers brought her to a new level of pleasure. Oh, she was going to dearly love playing with Ranma. The thought of the pretty red head, dressed in her diapers, was enough to push her over the brink into a very pleasurable orgasm.

Later, as she sat in the chair, just enjoying the afterglow, she heard the soft creak of the floor above her. It was what she had been waiting for.

She quickly went upstairs and found Ranma just opening the door that led into the toilet.

Ranma was surprised by Rin's arrival and she dropped her eyes, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry," she said in a little voice.

Rin shook her head. "No need to be sorry Ranma. I knew this was too much. You just take off that diaper and we'll try to figure out another way to get that bracelet off."

"What do you mean?"

"This is too much for you. That is understandable."

"It's not too much for me," Ranma said, stamping on foot on the ground.

"Don't be stubborn. It is obvious that you can't handle this. You wouldn't be trying to use the toilet if you could. Let's just give up on this."

"I won't give this up," Ranma said. "I can do it."

"Well, prove it then," Rin said.

Ranma said nothing to that. Just how was she going to show she could do it? One way came to her, but it was not something she wanted to do. Then again, if she was going to succeed, she was going to have to get used to it. For a while at least.

As she stood there she tried to relax, tried to let what had to happen, happen. It was so very hard. She was going against years of control, and her own sense of self.

Rin moved forward and hugged Ranma. "Just relax Ranma-chan. If you really must do this, just relax, don't think about it." Her hands gently ran up and down Ranma's back. Ranma leaned into her and relaxed, tried not to think about it.

It took a few minutes, and it started slowly, but then the urine flowed from her into the absorbent cotton. She felt the diapers grow heavy, and the waistband of the diaper cover gently pressed into her as the weight of the wet diapers pulled it down.

Rin gently led an unresisting Ranma back to her room where she laid the girl down. Ranma's face was a bright red as Rin unsnapped the diaper cover.

"These are really wet," Rin said as something of a joke as she looked at the saturated diapers that were wrapped around Ranma.

"Please don't say that," Ranma said softly, face still flushed.

"Why?" Rin asked as she began to peal away the yellow stained cloth.

"It is embarrassing."

"Really?" Rin asked. "Why?"

"Because only babies wear diapers!" Ranma snapped.

"Well, that is what you want to be, right?"

Ranma said nothing to that. Rin finished removing the cloths, then went and gathered some changing supplies. She slid a towel under Ranma's bottom after she removed the wet diapers and diaper covers. As she gently cleaned Ranma up she said, "I don't think you should be embarrassed, not if you are a baby."

"But I'm not," Ranma said.

"You want to be one though. If you are embarrassed you may never succeed."

Ranma again had nothing to say to that.

"I think you should just be a baby," Rin said as she prepared new diapers and a pink diaper cover. "That way you won't have to be embarrassed. Right?"

"Maybe," Ranma said, trying to decide if what Rin had just said made any sense.

"Lift up," Rin said. Once Ranma had raised her hips from the floor she slid the diapers and diaper cover under Ranma then began to wrap the dry cloths about Ranma. "Doesn't that feel better Ranma-chan?"

Ranma nodded after a moment. Then she frowned.

"Is something wrong?" Rin asked as she pulled the diaper cover up between Ranma's legs.

"What if I have to..." Ranma trailed off.

"Have to?" Rin said, then she nodded. "Oh, I see. Well, in that case you can ask me to take you to the potty. I don't think either of us want to deal with a dirty diaper."

Ranma nodded, a little relieved. Having to ask Rin to take her to the toilet was not good, but it was far better than the alternative.

"There we go." Rin snapped the diaper cover on. "All clean and dry. Now I have a treat for you."

"What?"

Rin just smiled as she began to unbutton her blouse. Once it was open to the waist she reached up and undid the front hook of her bra, letting it fall open and her breasts to spring free. Ranma had to admit they were nice breasts, large and very firm.

Rin shifted her hands under Ranma's shoulder and then lifted her to her breasts. "Drink," she said softly. "Nurse at my breasts."

"What?" Ranma asked, quite surprised.

Rin hushed her as she slid her nipple over Ranma's lips. Ranma, a little in spite of herself, took the nipple between her lips and began to suck. She was surprised when she felt a warm, sweet liquid begin to fill her mouth.

Ranma really did not know that much about female anatomy to find Rin's sudden production of milk to be odd. Still, it was one of the most delicious things she had ever tasted, and nursing somehow made her feel, well, more relaxed.

Rin smiled as Ranma nursed. She switched breasts and let Ranma suckle from the other. Eventually Ranma yawned and let out a small burp.

"I think you could use a nap," Rin said as she moved Ranma onto the futon.

Ranma nodded. "Thank you Rin-oneechan," she said softly.

"Don't worry baby," Rin said as she pulled the comforter over Ranma. "We'll get things put right." She gently kissed Ranma.

Ranma nodded as she closed her eyes, soon falling asleep.

Rin quietly left the room. Outside she did her bra back up and then her blouse. She had Ranma right where she wanted her. She fully expected Ranma to get more and more into the new role as time went by, just as she became more feminine, then more like a little girl.

All it needed was time.

She best do something to make sure that she had that time.

Smiling, Rin walked down the stairs. She had a lot of work to do.

Those letters had stopped a month ago, which is what finally brought Akane to Kyoto in search of Ranma.

She looked again at the empty house. It looked as if it had been some time since anyone had lived there.

Akane noticed and old man out in front of another house. He was splashing water on sidewalk in front of his house. She walked up to him. "Excuse me ojiisan," she called out.

"Yes young lady?" he said as he looked up.

"I'm looking for an occult store. I thought it was the address of that place over there." She indicated the house she had been looking at.

The old man looked at the house. He frowned. "I don't think there has been anything there for many years," he told Akane.

"I see," Akane said. "Well, maybe you have seen the person I am looking for. She is a girl, about my age, with red hair."

"I'm not sure," the man said. "Maybe a long time ago. I seem to have a memory of someone like that."

"Well, she was here not so long ago, or at least I thought she was."

"I don't think so young lady."

Akane nodded. "Is there a police box nearby? Maybe they'll be able to help me find the right place."

"There is one down there," the old man said.

"Thank you," Akane replied as she bowed deeply to him. Then she turned and left. She hoped that she had made some little mistake and would soon find Ranma. She had a strange feeling though that she was in the right place. The thought made her shiver for a reason she was not sure of.

She looked down at the bracelet that Ranma still wore on her left wrist. Rin shook her head. When she had finally managed to remove the bracelet from her own wrist, most than a thousand years before, she had thrown away, hoping to never see it again. Then it had come back to her on the wrist of a cursed human who had been exactly what she had wanted.

Life was funny like that.

As Rin gathered up the wet diapers she wondered if she might ever remove the bracelet from Ranma's wrist. It was easy enough to do. Maybe when she got tired of her?

Probably not though. It was best that Ranma remained female. After all, as a female Ranma was cute in diapers. As a male, well, that would just be pitiful.

Well, it would be some time before she became bored with the girl, so it was not something of immediate concern.

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