AnneOminous

Ranma is a martial artist, and a teenage boy. At least, she used to be.

After an attack leaves Ranma trapped in a feminine body she never asked for, and unable to take a hit, her life as she knew it is over. She runs from her home and her abusive father, and after spending a few months homeless in Tokyo, takes a job in a bar called the Phoenix run by a found family consisting of the bar's matriarch owner and four hard-luck women she took under her wing as teenagers. At the Phoenix, Ranma finds a place where she can be accepted and "normal," begins to deal with the trauma she's been though, and experiences the first unconditional love she's ever known. As she does so, she begins to embrace her new life as a young woman, discovers a new talent and potential career in music, and rises from the ashes of the life she once knew.

The Phoenix Saga

Yui yawned, setting her purse and her coffee on the bar top. "Oi, Ranko! Where you at?"

Ranko peeked out from the kitchen. "Oh, hey, Yui! Just finishing up some prep for the wings, I'll be right out."

The bartender pulled out a tray of garnishes from the little refrigerator under the bar, getting things lined up for the shift. "Hey, your delivery's here, Ran-chan!"

Ranko swung open the saloon doors, a flour-covered black apron protecting her yellow dress. She'd felt the need to change after Crash left, for more than one reason. "What delivery? I didn't order anything."

Yui shrugged. "You sure? There's a bag from some pastry joint out front. I figured you and Akane ordered something for lunch."

Ranko gave her a quizzical look. "What are you talking about? Akane's not even here."

The blonde cringed. "Shit! It was supposed to be a surprise. Sorry! She called me yesterday and told me to keep everybody clear for the morning so you could have a little time together. I guess she's running late."

The redhead blinked. She walked out into the bar area, looking through the door and spying the bag still resting on the front stoop. Her eyes traced a straight line from the bag, through the glass door, to a spot a few meters in front of the stage. A spot that she and Crash had shared not three hours before.

Yui turned from her liquor inventory to see her younger sister covering her mouth with both hands. She looked to be on the verge of a panic attack. "Hey, Ran-chan, what's the matter?"

"I need to go." She started to untie her apron.

"But we open in a few hours." Yui set her clipboard down. This was getting weird.

Ranko nodded. "I know. I'm sorry. I won't be here. I gotta go."

Yui walked around the bar, putting her hand on Ranko's shoulder. "Hey! I'm talking to you! Where do you need to go in such a rush on a Sunday?"

Ranko looked up to her, her face a mask of fear and sadness. "Home."

Ships in the Night