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Published:
2025-02-07
Completed:
2025-02-07
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2/2
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The Art of the Standing Cat

Chapter 2: [ネコ] [Neko]

Summary:

Ranma! Don't mess this up!

Notes:

Like before, most of this chapter was written half a year ago. I was just stuck on single scene, but I hope it's good enough to see the light of the day now.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The Art of the Standing Cat

[ネコ] [Neko]

 

 

Ranma!

Don’t zone out again! Think. Think!

What do you do now?

Think.

She called me pretty. She’s cute.

Not just about her! 

She hates boys.

Yeah, that! What’s up with that!?

But she likes girls! And she’s a girl too!

Can you believe it? You thought…

So what if she does! Nothing was ever gonna happen anyway!

Pops will have you back on the road soon anyway!

Even if you managed to stay for a bit, you’re still a-

Wait.

E-Easy, boy! Remember, you’re a girl!

Oh!

What if…

What if you never tell her?

That’s not a good plan! Pops might have already turned back and told them. What then?

You say that he’s confused! Claim that your curses are opposite to each other!

He’s cursed to turn into a panda with cold water and you’re cursed to turn into a boy with hot!

Would they believe that?

Too obvious, isn’t it?

Why are you even thinking about this!?

“Ranma?”

You jolt and raise your head to look at one of Akane’s sisters, the one with the bob cut.

She had been walking pretty quietly since she basically snuck up on you. Or you were so lost in thought…

“Yeah?” despite your best efforts the question comes out as a bit of a squeak, and you try to hide your worries behind a fake smile.

“Akane threw you out of the bath?” She asks, and lets out a short guffaw. “That’s… new. Aren’t you cold?”

You can feel your cheeks warming up. You should probably say something. “Ah…” 

Something coherent would be better. You lean back at the wall separating you from the bath, but remain in a crouch. Then, you free your hands by dropping the silk tangzhuang vest you’ve been fiddling with onto your knees. Next, you smack yourself lightly in the face. It takes a few quick taps of your palms at your cheeks to get a semblance of control.

Akane’s sister looks on, with a strange grin playing on her lips as she’s seizing you up. 

You hope she’s not gonna be handsy again.

“It’s fine, I’m warm enough,” you finally say, tackling the explanation for the state of your half-dress first, and point at your silk top draped on your knees. “It was still wet from the rain, and the sweat didn’t help. It’s more comfortable like this.” It’s not like the little spar tired you out, it’s just… You’ve been sitting right outside where Akane is taking a bath…

The cold air of the hallway is for the best.

The girl raises a single eyebrow, as if challenging you. “I see,” she says, and grins. 

You don’t like that grin.

Thankfully, the door opens, interrupting your increasingly awkward conversation and Akane steps out. Her hair is still damp, and she’s already dressed in a simple, bright shift-dress with ‘Carribean Seas’ printed and circled on her chest.

She looks so cute... Not that you’d ever be brave enough to say it out loud.

“Ranma, you can go in…” she starts addressing you and trails off, after all but stepping right into her sister. Oh, how you like hearing your name in her voice. “Nabiki? What’s u-” She freezes mid word as her eyes travel back to you… and she blinks a few times, her ears reddening instantly at the state of your undress.

“Oh, this is great.” Akane’s sister - Nabiki - that’s it, chuckles to herself once more. “I have to see this.”

Akane places a hand over her face, covering her eyes and sighs. “There’s nothing to see here!” She protests. “I just wanted to tell Ranma to go ahead…”

You consider running inside the bathroom and hiding, but as your back slides up the wall and your hands fumble to grab your top from sliding down off your knees and onto the floor…

Nabiki is all but standing in your way now, her hands crossed, her grin a drop more… sinister than before.

You freeze up for a briefest moment.

Her hand reaches out, finger pointed somewhere towards your chest, and as you flinch back a little remembering her earlier actions, she snaps it upwards, in a failed attempt to flick at your nose.

Nabiki might be quick, but you’re clearly faster, and lean back just enough to avoid the touch completely.

“What are you two doing?” Akane asks, her voice louder, if a bit shaky. She’s peeking from behind her fingers, as her face slowly gains more and more color to closer match her burning ears.

You shrug, avoiding either sister’s direct gaze. “I’m not doing anything, she keeps trying to… touch me.”

Nabiki chokes out yet another little laugh and turns slightly away to face Akane. “You’ve changed, little sister,” she says, this time poking at where Akane’s nose would be, had there been no hand in the way. “Nothing about Ranma’s lack of feminine modesty in the house?”

Akane swats her older sister’s finger to the side.

“Why would I have feminine modesty?” You mutter under your breath before you realize how bad that could sound with you looking like this.

Lucky for you, both of the sisters aren't paying too close attention to you now, locked in a mutual staring contest. Nabiki looks triumphant, while Akane is opening her mouth and closing it again, a bit like a fish out of water.

“We’re basically inside, it’s not like she’s in the main room,” Akane manages finally. “And… and…”

“You’re enjoying the view too much to complain, I get it,” Nabiki says and winks. “Why didn’t you let her bathe with you? You’re both girls, right? That would make it okay! Live a little!”

Both you and Akane flinch at the same time.

“I asked her not to,” you say, scrambling for a quick lie, but Akane’s response cuts you off.

“I like her, alright?” Akane’s voice is soft, but it rings in your head like you’ve been struck with a hammer. “Is that what you want me to say, Nabiki? She’s strong and she’s pretty and I would love nothing else but to brush her hair before the bath together, but it - it wouldn’t be right for me to do that, would it? I’m not you, I can’t just behave like a pervert and pretend it doesn’t matter, because it does!”

Pretty.

This is the second time she’s complimenting your looks. This time, it feels even more real than the last time. You haven’t expected to hear anything like this. Neither before nor now.

It blindsided you the last time. Now? You’re completely frozen.

Unresponsive.

Nabiki is saying something. You can hear the words but you’re not really listening. You can’t.

Instead, your mind runs though that impossible suggestion, the one that will never happen.

But you can see it. Even with your eyes open, it’s like a mirage. Right there.

You cannot even remember when was the last time someone else brushed your hair. And when you’re in this form… You’d just have to keep an eye on the Dragon’s Whisker, and let the hair hang loose for a bit, and then…

“... said something…”

You blink a few times, but the scene doesn’t disappear. You can almost feel a ghost-like touch at the back of your scalp, and one of your hands raises to touch the Whisker tying up your pigtail. You long for the freedom that untying it could offer… but you don’t dare to do it.

You can see both sisters before yourself too, even if they feel more distant than the alluring vision that’s overpowered your mind.

“...Yuka… didn’t work out…“

The words still don’t really register.

“Why me?” you mumble. Why would anyone want you like this? “But I- I-”

Nabiki nudges Akane a little, and she turns her head towards you.

The vision and reality merge together as you struggle to get any further words out. While you can’t help but imagine running your fingers through her hair yourself, and even have to stop yourself from reaching out… You know it’s not going to work out.

However much you have tricked her - even if accidentally - all these positive illusions will quickly turn sour once she finds out the truth.

There’s something glimmering in her eyes.

She hates boys.

Does she already know? 

Is that why?

Akane has tears in her eyes.

“I’m sorry about this,” you blurt out, desperate to somehow stop them, but unable to think of anything that would actually help.

Akane brushes one of her hands past her eyes, and takes a heavy breath. “...I planned to tell everyone during dinner,” she finishes answering Nabiki, before focusing entirely on you. “I’m still doing it. I’ve got to do it right, even if you’d never consider me… I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up.”

“Eh?” You suddenly feel very much lost, even more than you were before.

There’s a moment of silence as you both shuffle awkwardly before each other - you're desperately trying to understand if she knows… and she’s clearly thinking about something, too.

What do you do now? Is there a way to salvage… whatever this is?

Nabiki pinches at her nose. “You two,” she grumbles.

If nothing else, it jolts you a little. “I don’t…” you begin slowly, dragging the words out and hoping for some sort of answer to give. “You can’t actually like me - not as I am…”

“Strong?” Akane’s soft smile is going to stay with you forever. Even if her eyes are still glimmering with half-hidden tears. “Beautiful?”

Even as she’s tearing through your composure, you can’t help but notice that it takes her some effort to keep looking at your face - but you still catch her gaze wavering for a briefest moment, looking all of you over.

Beautiful?

Wow.

You… don’t yet understand how exactly that makes you feel, but seeing that blush blooming on Akane’s face gives yet another burst of strength and confidence.

Had… you been a boy, this would be enough to start boasting, and yet - you’re not…

“It’s not real,” you say, biting at your lips, confidence fleeing your body. “I- I can’t explain, not without- ruining everything.”

“Oh,” Akane says and clenches her palms, almost into fists..

“You’re v-very cute,” you barely manage. “But- You’re gonna end up hating me. I’m -”

You can’t do it.

“Why would I hate you?” Akane raises an eyebrow. She’s clearly trying to figure out what your words mean, and you have no idea how close she is from the truth.

“My- pops…” you shuffle a step back. “I don’t know what his plan is - but he knows your father, and… Well… I thought that while pops is… busy… I don’t-”

You can’t do it.

You don’t even remember what your original plan was - to delay the reveal as much as possible, maybe? Now that you’ve gotten to speak with Akane… She’s the one your thoughts are spinning around, not some half-formed plan made at the last second.

“I wish everything was different,” you say. “But-”

You still can’t.

Every other second as a girl is a second that Akane doesn’t hate you.

You can’t ruin this. Not yet.

“Is this about the whole fiancé business?” Nabiki asks and you jolt.

“Ah- P-probably,” you manage to push out.

“You got a twin brother, or something?” Nabiki crosses her hands. “Here to scout for him and your pops?”

“S- Something like that,” you say and all but fold into yourself. “I never wanted anything like this to happen! I just thought pops was spinning yarn again, and we’d be back on the road after he failed, but this time he’s being stubborn… Your style has so many similarities to ours, he might even be telling the truth about training with your father all those years ago!”

Akane mirrors her sister, crossing her hands, restrained anger slowly bubbling to the surface. “This is about inheriting the dojo, right? Dad doesn’t think I could run it!”

“I don’t want your dojo,” you hurry to reassure. I just want to spend more time with you. You barely manage to keep the thought to yourself. “I- I’ll leave,” you say instead. “After you’ve said your piece at the diner. I’ll pack up and leave…. I promise. I need to get back to China, anyway.”

Find a cure for the curse.

It hurts, but you mean it. The part about leaving to protect your fragile bond. You’re much less sure on how much you actually want to find a cure… and what exactly the best cure could entail. You don't dare to finish the thought.

“Why only after dinner?” Nabiki asks. “Aiming to nab an extra free meal before the road?”

“Nabiki, she’s a guest!” Akane protests, jumping to your defense. It makes you feel oddly warm. People don’t do that for you. Is this because you’re a girl now?

“If Akane still wants me there,” you say firmly. “I’ll be there.” You promised.

And you still ruined everything.

“Do you have to leave?” Akane asks suddenly. “If your father is as bad as you say, isn’t he still gonna try to get one of us engaged to your brother anyway?”

“If I run away, there’s gonna be no engagement,” you say. “I’m sure Pops is gonna try, but it won’t work without me.”

Nabiki chuckles. “Got your brother all wrapped up around your finger?” she guesses.

“I-” You sigh, bumping your fist at your own forehead in frustration. “There’s no brother. It’s just me.”

They clearly don’t understand you.

“I’m Ranma Saotome. I’m the only one here,” you say. “It’s a curse. I wish I could be the girl you see me as, but-”

What did you just say?

In that moment, looking at Akane - seeing yourself reflected in her eyes… It’s as close to the truth as it could be, isn’t it?

“I’m a fake,” you say. “I wish I wasn’t but I can’t change it.”

“What?” Nabiki and Akane blurt the question at the same time.

“That doesn’t explain anything,” Nabiki is the only one to carry on speaking, thrown off a little. “You’re clearly-”

“Of course you don’t believe me,” you interrupt. “We picked our curses in China. Pops turns into a giant panda when splashed with water, and I… Well, I’m…”  You gesture vaguely at yourself, your silk top fluttering about as you still clutch onto it, still half-naked. “Sorry about this.”

Nabiki’s eyes narrow.

Akane’s hand lifts towards her mouth.

“Hot water turns us back,” you offer. “ I’ll take a quick soak and you’ll see when I come out. I’m so sorry…”

You move forward, pushing past the two sisters to enter the bathroom. This time, Nabiki doesn’t stop you, and you can no longer even look at Akane’s face.


…


You ruined it all.

Didn’t you?

All three sisters are seated across from you. Your father is explaining the Jusenkyo curses. Nabiki is the one asking questions. You still don’t remember the oldest sister’s name.

Akane is silent. She only has eyes for you. She’s got her hand raised to cover her mouth, fingers curled up next to her lips in a loose fist. 

What is she thinking? You can’t tell.

You’re too focused on Akane to notice pops grabbing you by the scruff of your neck, and then you’re sailing in the air, towards a koi pond.

You emerge from the water, gasping for air, coughing. Wet.

Akane. She’s standing now, looking right at you. She… cares?

The anger at Pops dissipates. There’s only Akane. Only her.

You look at each other when you return to sit back down at the table, all soaking wet and pathetic. You can almost see your pitiful state reflected in her eyes.

It makes you feel warm. It makes your breathing uneven. Your heartbeat quickens, too. You can almost understand what she’s about to do, and you brace yourself for it.

Akane takes a deep breath. Blushes. “I’m a lesbian,” she announces loudly, interrupting whatever your parents wanted to say.

There’s a second of silence, as everyone at the table turns to look at Akane. She winks at you.

You can feel your heartbeat with your whole body.

Her father collapses for the second time that day.

“That’s nice, Akane,” the eldest sister says in such a non-expressive voice that you can’t tell if she’s voicing disapproval or being supportive. But since she immediately goes to get their father comfortable for the second recovery, you can only keep guessing at which it actually was.

Nabiki lets out a short, coughing laugh.

Pops… just sits there, staring.

You… could get lost in Akane’s eyes. It doesn’t matter that your clothes are wet. It doesn’t matter that you’re already feeling a little hungry. Because she’s looking right through you, in a way that makes your breath hitch.

You wish…

“I could be a girl for you,” you say, without even fully realizing that you’re voicing it out loud. But as soon as the words leave your lips, you know that you mean them.

This time it’s your pops who joins Akane’s dad on the floor.

Akane starts laughing - and you join her, your voices mixing together.

It’s a brand new beginning.

 

…

 

It’s only later in the evening, after yet another soak in the furo and a quick cold shower, that you realize just how weird this new chapter of your life will look… and you're already excited!

You don’t even remember when exactly Akane loaned you a pair of her PJ pants, but you’ve already settled on her bed, clutching at the Dragon’s Whisker, just so you don’t lose it. Akane’s brushing your hair. It's a dream come true. Yours and hers.

You know that it’s not gonna be easy. You can never be sure how long the two of you would stay together - Akane’s so cool that she probably could get any girl she wants. As long as she wants a girl that's you… you’re gonna be hers.

It’s a little weird that your fathers turned it all into an official engagement. You hope that it doesn’t ruin it for you - so far you’re both chosen to ignore it and take the days as they come.

You still don’t know where the oldest sister - Kasumi - stands on the question at all. You’re here to be for Akane, should she ever need it.

But all those little fears don’t matter. You know you and Akane will figure everything out.

Together.

 

 

Akane brushing Ranma's hair. If the image isn't loading, try https://www. /inanewmoon/774858070306275328/tachi-neko-the-art-of-the-standing-cat

Notes:

A huge thanks to Beedok for drawing me the amazing art featured in the chapter! 💙 Sorry it took me more than half a year to post it publicly! 💙

It was a fun writing experiment, and I can only hope that you liked what you saw.

If anyone wants to write a follow up, feel free to! But for me, this story ends here, on a hopeful, bright note for the future. 💙💙💙

Notes:

Thanks for reading! 💙💙💙