Hey all,
Here's Chapter 3: Secrets Revealed of What Price Love.  Read, enjoy, send me C&C, preferably private, but if you feel it must be posted to the ML then by all means do so.  MSTs are OK too.  Flames will be forwarded to Satan, then deleted.

Before I get into the fic, some questions were raised as to the continuity I'm working in.  Basically, it's mostly the anime, but some manga is mixed in somewhere.  At this point, Nodoka doesn't know about the curse.  All the major fiancees are present, as is Konatsu.  There's no Akari.  If something seems out of place, don't flame me for it, it's most likely intentional.

Also, if Ranma seems even more OOC than this fic calls for(smarter etc.), don't worry, all will be explained eventually.  
Okay, I think I've ranted enough.  On with the fic.

A Ranma 1/2 Fanfic
What Price Love
Chapter 3: Secrets Revealed
By: Jon Osborne

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer: All characters within this fanfic belong to Rumiko
Takahashi.  I lay no claim to them and use them without permission.
Please don't sue as I am a poor college student.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
<   > indicates thoughts
[   ] indicates panda signs
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Warning:  While this fic has no lemon scenes in it, it does contain
what some could call "Mature Content."  You have been warned.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE:  Ranma has admitted he loves Akane, who then
admits she is a lesbian and in love with the female Ranma.  After a
contest that recieved a 'Lemon' rating, Ranma agreed to give up his
manhood out of love for Akane.  Ranma then comes up with an idea to
use his chi to prevent the activation of the curse.  When they tell
the family the next day, Genma predictably blows up and Ranma tosses
him outside, then is led crying to Akane's room where she falls asleep.

    Outside it was just starting to grow dark.  Ranma awoke to find
herself in a strange bed.  Looking around herself, she discovered she
was in Akane�s room.  She sat up confused.  <What am I doing in
Akane�s bed?  The last thing I remember was sitting at breakfast...>
As Ranma perused her thoughts, the memory of her confrontation with
Genma caused her eyes to mist up.  Just as suddenly, her gaze turned
hard and she began to think of ways to hurt Genma...a lot.
    Fresh with the desire to pound her father, Ranma stood and headed
for the door.  As she passed the mirror over Akane's desk, she stopped
and looked at her reflection.  If she saw the face looking back at her
just two days ago, she wouldn't have recognized it as her own.  Gone
was the usual underlying tenseness that Ranma displayed as a girl.
Now her face was calm and relaxed, and with her hair braided and
thrown over one shoulder, Ranma realized that she truly was a beautiful
woman.  Or at least, she would be if her eyes weren't all red and puffy
from crying herself to sleep.  At this point, Ranma's mind decided to
rebel.  <Dammit!  I can't do this!  I'm a guy!  Guys don't cry!>
    <But guys don't wear panties and bras, or braid their hair with a
silk scarf, either.  Like you do.  And guys don't have breasts either.
And I must say, you have a very nice pair.  You're not a guy anymore
Ranma Saotome, you're a girl.  You promised Akane.>
    <Akane...>  but Ranma's mind continued to rebel, <...but she
tricked me.  She knew what she was doing the whole time.>
    <Did she, really?  And even so, then so what?  You always say
you'll sacrifice anything for Akane.  Is this any different?  Hell,
Ranma, if Akane told you you'd have to be a cat to stay by her side,
you know you'd do it.  You'd do anything for Akane.  That's what love
is.>
    <...>
    <See!  You know I'm right.  If Akane can only love onna-Ranma,
then I'll gladly be onna-Ranma for her, just to feel my love returned.>
    Her internal debate over, Ranma straightened herself and turned to
the door.  "Time to find Akane.  But first I need to get rid of the
evidence that I was crying."

***

    "...the deal.  First Mr. Saotome is not to be let in the house no
matter what!"
    As Ranma walked down the stairs, he could here Nabiki's voice
coming from the dining room.  <What's she talking about?>
    "But Nabiki!  Saotome is my friend and our guest.  We can't leave
him outside."
    "Quiet daddy!  I'm not finished yet.  Mr. Saotome said some
terrible things to Ranma, and I won't let him get away with hurting my
family!"
    <Whoa!  Nabiki calling _me_ family?  Maybe I shouldn't go out just
yet.>  Ranma held back, waiting for Nabiki to finish.
    "...no hot water.  And third, Mr. Saotome is not allowed any of
Kasumi's cooking.  Akane's cooking, on the other hand..."
    "Nabiki!  That's mean!"
    Ranma walked in, "But it sure is acurate!  Your cooking could make
toxic waste look appetizing."
    "Ranma No BAKA!"  Akane jumped up from where she was sitting and
charged at Ranma, tackling her to the ground.
    "Akane!  Come on!  It was just a joke!  I told you before, old
habits die hard!"  Ranma put her hands in front of her face trying to
ward off Akane's blow.
    It never came.
    As soon as Ranma moved her hands away, Akane darted forward and
planted a kiss on Ranma's lips.
    As Akane pulled away, Ranma just stared at her in shock.  After a
couple minutes she was able to manage a "Wha...What?  You aren't gonna
hit me?"
    Akane smiled.  "Actually, no.  I was glad you insulted my cooking."
    Even more confused, Ranma just barely managed a "What?"
    "Insulting my cooking means that you're obviously in a better
mood.  If you hadn't insulted my cooking after such a perfect opening,
then I would have been worried."
    Ranma sat up, Akane shifting so she was sitting on the red-head's
lap.  Ranma returned Akane's earlier kiss, with Akane showing more
responsiveness than Ranma had.  As she broke the kiss with Akane,
Ranma said, "Now, beating a certain ball of black and white fur into
a pancake will put me in an even better mood."
    "No."
    Ranma looked at Nabiki.  "What d'ya mean 'No'?"
    "I mean I have a better plan.  One that will hurt your father far
more than a simple beating."
    Ranma gently nudged Akane off her lap and stood to face Nabiki.
"There's nothin' simple about the beating I plan to give oyaji."
    "Be that as it may, your father hurt a member of my family.  No
one gets away with hurting Nabiki Tendo's little sister."
    As Ranma took her place at the dining room table he looked to
Akane and said, "What?  Oyaji wasn't satisfied with yelling at me, he
had to yell at you too?"
    Nabiki growled slightly in frustration, "I meant you Ranma!"
    For the second time inside of ten minutes Ranma sat, shocked at
what she considered uncharacteristic behaviour of another of the Tendo
sisters.  After several minutes spent in silence, Ranma leapt to her
feet and hugged Nabiki.  "Do you really mean that, Nabiki?"
    With a slightly husky voice Nabiki replied, "Yeah Ranma.  I do."
    Ranma turned to Kasumi, "And you Kasumi?"
    Bright and cheery as always, Kasumi replied, "Why of course Ranma-
chan.  I've always considered you family."
    Returning to her seat by Akane, Ranma asked, "And you Mr. Tendo?"
    Soun just hemmed and hawwed and turned away.
    Her good mood deflated a bit, Ranma sighed.  "I should have
expected you to take pop's side."  Turning away from Soun, Ranma asked,
"So what's this plan Nabiki?"
    "As I was explaining before you showed up, your father is not to
be allowed in the house, is not to be allowed any hot water, and is
not to be allowed any food."  With a smile, Nabiki added, "Akane's
cooking excepted.  He is not to be allowed any of these things until
he apologizes to you to your satisfaction."
    "Aside from the food part, I don't get it.  Pop always uses his
panda form to escape repsonsibility.  What good will that do us?"
    "Simple.  With Mr. Saotome stuck outside in this hot summer sun,
having a permanent fur coat will probably become very uncomfortable
very quickly."
    "Nabiki!  I cannot allow you to do this to our guest,"  protested
Soun.
    Nabiki knealt next to Soun and whispered in his ear, "If you don't
go along with this, Hinako-sensei will conveniently find out about
those rather risque pictures you have of her.  And I don't think she'll
be very happy about it."
    Soun whispered back, "What?!  But...but..._you_ sold those to me.
I'll tell her that."
    "You actually think she'll pay attention to who you got them from
when you're the one who _has_ them?"
    Soun gulped audibly then said, "Very well daughter, I shall go
along with this, but under protest."
    Nabiki nodded, satisfied.  "Oh yes!  One more thing.  Until he's
ready to apologize, no one pay any attention to Mr. Saotome."
    "But how am I gonna stay in shape if I can't spar with pop?"
    "Don't worry Ranma, I'll spar with you."
    Once again Ranma's mouth shot off before her brain could intercede,
"No way Akane!  I don't fight girls."
    Before Akane could bring her mallet into play, Nabiki spoke up,
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Ranma, but didn't you agree to be a girl
for Akane?"
    "Yeah, so?"
    "So, what's wrong with two girls fighting?"
    "Uhhh..." Ranma answered smartly.  Turning to Akane she said, "I'm
sorry.  I'm still not used to this.  After all it hasn't even been a
full day yet.  If it's really important to you, then I guess I can
spar with you.  Who knows, you might actually get good sparring with
me."
    Akane playfully elbowed Ranma in the gut as she said, "Baka."
    Ranma's stomach grumbled.

***

    Dinner had been wonderful as always, and everyone had enjoyed
larger portions due to Genma's enforced abscence, especially Ranma,
who hadn't eaten anything else that day.  All during dinner they had
heard Genma-panda wimpering outside.  The four girls ignored him.
Soun stood up as if to let him in, but one look from Nabiki caused him
to sit back down and eat dejectedly.
    Ranma and Akane snuggled together as they watched a martial arts
comedy movie on TV.  Soun was sitting at his shoji board, staring at
it blankly.  Nabiki was in her room, reading one of her manga.
Kasumi could be heard humming to herself as she cleaned up the
kitchen.  As the movie ended, Ranma stood and stretched.  Akane
looked at her longingly, not wanting to be seperated from the red head
she loved so.
    "Where are you going Ranma?" she asked, her tone showing her desire
for Ranma to stay.
    Ranma looked down at Akane, love mixed with confusion in her eyes.
"I need to go talk to Nabiki.  There's something I still don't
understand."  Ranma smiled and kissed Akane on the forehead.  "I won't
be long."
    Ranma ascended the stairs and stopped before Nabiki's room.
Before she could knock, Nabiki's voice called out, "Come in."
    As Ranma entered Nabiki's room, she said, "Geez Nabiki, do you have
a hidden camera out there or something?"
    In a deadpan voice Nabiki answered, "Of course."  Then her voice
became businesslike, "What can I do for you Ranma?"
    "Well, Nabiki, I'm confused."
    With a smile Nabiki interrupted, "No surprise there."
    "Seriously Nabiki.  Did you mean what you said earlier?  About me
being family?"
    "You doubt my sincerity?" Nabiki replied, her voice lowering
dangerously.     Ranma quickly clarified, "It's not that...it's just that...I
thought all you cared about was money."
    Nabiki sighed.  "I can see how you might think that Saotome, but
I always put my family first in any crisis.  Money...money became my
shield, after mother died.  Money doesn't leave you when you need it
most." Nabiki sniffled and Ranma sat on the bed beside her, placing a
comforting arm around her.  "It may seem like I don't care, but I do.
I want my family to be happy Ranma."  Suddenly realizing how much she
had let down her guard, Nabiki pushed Ranma away and stared at her
hard.  "I swear Ranma if anything I told you goes beyond these four
walls..."
    Ranma put on her best innocent look and in a Nabiki-like voice said
"Moi?  Betray a confidence?  Nabiki, I'm insulted."
    Nabiki smirked.  "Very funny Ranma."
    Ranma stood to leave.  "So Nabiki, now that I'm family does this
mean that you'll stop selling pictures of me?"
    "Don't be ridiculous Ranma.  Your pictures are a very lucrative
market.  Besides, Akane has been my sister longer than you have and I
still sell pictures of her."
    "Well could you at least stop taking such revealing pictures of me
then?"
    "Ranma!  Don't tell me you're starting to develop some feminine
modesty?"
    Ranma stopped on her way out the door, completely shocked by the
observation.  After a minute she unfroze and sighed.  "Yeah.  I guess
I am.  Thanks Nabiki."
    Ranma went back downstairs to rejoin her lover on the couch.

***

    After the last light had gone out in the house, Genma approached
the door, feeling it was safe to return.  He tried the door, but it
wouldn't open.  Then he noticed a note tacked to the door.  It read:

                Mr. Saotome,
                   You are hereby banned from this house until
                   you apologise to your daughter Ranma.
                   Furthermore, you are to be allowed no hot
                   water nor any of Kasumi's cooking until you
                   apologise.  Until you are ready to apologise
                   no one in this house will have anything to do
                   with you, not even father.  We can wait for
                   just as long as you, longer in fact.  We have
                   food and shade, you don't.  Enjoy the weather.
                                             Nabiki

Genma-panda frowned as best he could in panda form and tried the door
one more time.  It still didn't open.  With a sigh, he entered the dojo
and tried to sleep.

***

    "RRRAAANNNMMMAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You said you were going to spar with
me!"
    "What do you think I'm doing you uncute tomboy!"
    As she swung her fist again, Akane said, "You're barely touching
me!  I can hardly feel it."
    Ranma easily dodged the swing and lightly touched a spot on Akane's
elbow as it passed.  "That's the point Akane!  I'm pointin' out your
weak spots."
    "Dammit!  I want you to go all out.  Don't hold back!"
    With a grin, Ranma called out, "You asked for it."
    She leapt at Akane calling out "Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken!"  But
instead of hundreds of punches, Ranma's touches were soft caresses
over Akane's entire body.  When she was done, Akane was collapsed on
the dojo floor moaning softly in pleasure.  Ranma stood over her, a
smug look on her face.  "Ha!  I told you so Akane."
    The next thing Ranma knew, she was on her back, Akane's arms
wrapped tightly about her legs.  Akane slowly crawled up Ranma's prone
body, panting out "You'll pay for that."  When she reached Ranma's head
she planted her lips firmly on Ranma's own in the beginnings of a very
passionate kiss.
    From the house, Kasumi's voice rang out "Ranma!  Akane!  Breakfast
is ready."
    Instantly, Ranma had rolled out from under Akane and was on her
feet, racing for the house.  Akane followed quickly after, muttering
sarcastically, "Nice timing oneechan."
    In the yard, Genma-panda sat in the koi pond, trying to stay cool
in the already hot morning.  As Ranma and Akane passed he held up a
sign.  [Ranma?  Akane?] He flipped it over, [anyone?]  He was ignored.

***


-----------------------------------------------------------------
D.r. Jon Osborne GMPL          | "When he's a guy, she wants him.
jco005@drake.edu               | When he's a girl, she wants him
President: Drake Anime Club    | dead."
-----------------------------------------------------------------