This is a repost, (I hope it works right this time!)

All Ranma characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, first
published
by Shogakugan in Japan and brought over to North America by Viz
Communications.
                                       From a Different Viewpoint.
                                                       Chapter 2.

     Johnathon went home, a bit sore, but cheerful.  The next couple
weeks went by relatively uneventfully.  Mr. Tendo had Johnathon mostly
conditioning himself, working on strength, speed, and balance.  Akane
had showed up a couple of times to spar.  Each time she beat him in just
a few minutes.  Johnathon didn't mind though, he was learning a lot from
her, really improving his skill.
     Every morning he stopped to watch Akane fight her way into
school.    There were now around 40 boys there every morning, but Akane
kept winning.  Johnathon was still amazed at her, and certain she was
holding back when they sparred.  She was holding back less then she had
the first time.  He wondered to himself how he would do in a similar
fight.  There was no way he could handle so many in a straight fight,
maybe 8 or so, no more, he still had a long way to go.
     It was the beginning of the fourth week of school when Johnathon
saw a change in Akane's morning routine. Johnathon watched Akane charge
in as usually, barely noticing a boy wearing Chinese clothing crouched
on the wall behind her.  He did notice him a bit more after Akane had
finished with the horde and the young man had jumped down next to her.
Kuno had arrived and taken immediate offense at the young man's
presence.
     Johnathon couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but
Kuno     suddenly attacked.  The boy made a series of incredible leaping
dodges while Kuno demolished the landscape.  He even got inside Kuno's
guard, moving like quicksilver, but not attacking.  The fight looked
like it was going to end one way or another as Akane threw a backpack at
the boy.  Kuno slashed at him at the same time hitting the pack when the
boy dodged high into the air.  The boy went very high into the air and
came down towards Kuno.
     It had started to rain and a Panda charged in, running on two legs.
It grabbed the boy, flattening Kuno in the process, and rushing out of
sight a second after that.  Kuno lay motionless and Johnathon rubbed his
eyes unbelievingly.  <What did I just see?>
     By the next day the rumor was all around the school.  The new
boy,   Ranma, was engaged to Akane Tendo.  He had fought Kuno and lived,
there was alot of excitement going around about him. Johnathon wondered
what was going on at the Tendo dojo, and where that Panda had come
from.  When Johnathon had shown up at the Tendo dojo the next day to
train, everything     seemed normal.  Mr. Tendo was in the dojo when he
arrived and the session    went normally.  Johnathon left without seeing
anyone else, he didn't feel right asking Mr. Tendo about his new guests.
The next few days things at the school started to change.  The horde of
boys gave up on fighting Akane after Ranma defeated Kuno soundly.  Kuno
tended to space out in class more, occasionally muttering something
about a pig tailed girl.  Johnathon went to his next training session at
the Tendo dojo, and again everything went quietly.  As he left he
wondered if Akane would show up to spar with him the next time.  A few
weeks passed and more rumors flew:

     Ranma had fought a strange incredibly strong guy.
     Ranma was dating a red haired girl who was also a martial artist.
     Ranma and Akane were breaking up, getting married, or whatever.

     Johnathon didn't believe all the rumors, but it seemed like Ranma
was     an incredible martial artist, even better than Akane. Johnathon
found that hard to believe, he decided he would just have to see for
himself.  He went through Nabiki again, getting her to invite both Akane
and Ranma out for tea.  They arrived after he did this time. (Johnathon
had arrived early, remembering the last time.)  As they arrived, so did
the tea and cakes he had ordered for four.
     "So sensei, what's up?" Nabiki inquired politely.
     Akane moved into a chair and sat across from Johnathon.  "Yes
John-san, why did you want to see us?"  Ranma was looking at this young
man Nabiki had called "sensei".  He was wondering who he was to the
Tendo sisters.
     Johnathon looked about genially.  "Its been a while since you've
showed up to spar with me Akane, I always learned alot from you."  Akane
looked faintly guilty, she did enjoy sparring with "John-san" but since
Ranma had arrived she hadn't been meeting with Johnathon to spar.  She
wasn't sure why really, it just hadn't crossed her mind.
     She apologized, "I'm sorry John-san, it's been a busy few weeks, I
will be glad to spar with you."
     Ranma looked confused and annoyed "Hey! Who are you any
ways?"       Johnathon looked at Nabiki, who took her cue like a pro.
"Ranma, this is my English teacher, Johnathon Dwire, Sensei, this is
Ranma Saotome, engaged to my sister to carry on the family dojo."
     "I should have you in my class the next quarter, Ranma."  Johnathon
said
brightly, "I hear you are quite the martial artist." Ranma shrugged
indifferently, no longer annoyed.  Johnathon and Akane talked more about
martial arts as they finished their tea and cakes.  Ranma interjecting
occasional statement when he found something interesting.  Johnathon
checked his watch after a bit and stood, waving for the bill.  "I have
to get to the dojo for my training session with your father Akane.
Perhaps you might honor me by sparring with me afterwards?"
     "Sure."  Akane smiled "I'd like that."
 After Johnathon paid the bill the four of them headed for the Tendo's,
chatting about school and martial arts.  Ranma got into a heated
discussion about the Rhythmic Gymnastic Wrestling match at St. Heberike
earlier that month.  Ranma seemed to know a lot about the match and
Johnathon was eager to hear all about it, having not been able to
attend.  Ranma had seemed enthusiastic about the victory by the Furinkan
high schools champion, while Akane looked annoyed at him.  Johnathon
figured she was a bit jealous of the girl Ranma was enthusing  about.
He did seem overly familiar in how he talked  about the short red head
that had won the match.  "So this girl, I haven't seen her around the
school, what is her name?"
     Akane turned a bit red at this point and Ranma hesitated.  They had
reached the Tendo dojo and were about to enter the gate.  Suddenly water
splashed down from above on them.  Johnathon looked up to see a young
man wearing a yellow and black bandana, carrying a now empty bucket,
standing above the entrance.  "Shampoo is here, she was looking for
you"  he said and Johnathon was startled to hear a feminine roar of rage
from right next to him.
     "Ryoga!!" A pig tailed, red headed girl leaped from next to
Johnathon to the top of the gate in a flash.
     "What the?"  Johnathon exclaimed as the girl and "Ryoga" leaped
away fighting.  Where did Ranma go?  Suddenly he realized that the girl
had been wearing the same clothing Ranma had been, and had leaped up
from where he had been standing.  Akane had run inside after the girl
and Ryoga, and Nabiki was looking interestedly at the confusion on
Johnathon's face.  He turned to her "Nabiki, what just happened?"
     She grinned, a predatory look on her face as she said  "How badly
do you want to know?"
     From inside came a shout.  "Ranma!  You I kill!"  and a crash of
something smashing through a paper wall.
     Nabiki looked inside.  "I'll get back to you."  Then she jogged
inside. Johnathon followed, looking around for the source of the noises.

     Nabiki went into the kitchen and picked a kettle off the stove.
She turned to Johnathon.  "Wait here ok, and heat up some water."  She
turned to leave. "All will be explained in time."  He stared after her
wondering at her cryptic statement.  Then he shrugged and started
looking for a
kettle, going over the facts in his head.  He got a flame going and
started heating some water. Nabiki came in after a few minutes giggling
and went to the kettle.  "Ah, sensei, thanks!"  She went out again.
     Johnathon hesitated then followed her quickly.  <What is she
doing?>  She went outside and waited with the kettle.  Johnathon watched
her from the door, just peeking around the corner.
     The red headed girl ran around the corner suddenly and slipped up
to Nabiki.  "All right give it to me Nabiki!"  She whispered urgently.
     Nabiki answered calmly.  "Your total now comes to 5000 yen."
     The new girl yelled "That's not fair Nabiki!"
     "If you don't want it...."  Nabiki started to pour out the kettle
     "No No!  All right I'll pay!"  Nabiki poured the hot water over the
girl's head and the red headed girl changed.  She grew, her hair turned
black, in an instant the red headed girl became Ranma. Ranma stood and
immediately ran away.
     He was chased by an exotically beautiful young girl with purple
hair, who was shouting "Ranma, you I love!"
     "That's worse!" Ranma shouted as he fled.  Nabiki turned to go
inside and saw Johnathon standing there, his eyes huge in shock.
     Slowly he came out of it.  "That girl turned into Ranma when you
poured hot water on her, and earlier Ranma turned into a girl when he
was splashed with cold water... that's, magic!"
     Nabiki silently clapped.  "Very good sensei, if you want the whole
story it will only cost you..."
     Johnathon shook his head.  "I don't think it's your story to tell
Nabiki, it's Ranma's."
     She looked disappointed for a second.  "You sure?"
     "Yes."  He turned to go inside.  I'll be in the dojo."  She watched
him go, bemused.
     Somehow Johnathon was not surprised when Mr. Tendo failed to show
up on time to train him.  Instead, after he had worked out for a bit,
limbering up, Akane walked in, wearing her gi. "Hello Akane."   He said
quietly.
     "Hello John-san."  She replied hesitantly.  "Did you see?...."
     "Did I see Ranma get splashed with cold water and become a girl?
Then get splashed with hot water and become a boy?... Nope, I didn't'
see that."  Johnathon's voice was serious but his eyes twinkled.
     Akane stared at him for a second, then giggled.  "He He, you didn't
see quite a lot!" She quipped her mood lifting.
     Johnathon nodded at her.  "Seriously Akane, I didn't see anything,
that I would tell anyone about.  Ranma's secret is safe with me,
whatever it is."
     Akane looked grateful and a bit embarrassed.  "I might as well tell
you the whole story."
     Later, after Akane had told Johnathon the story of Ranma's fateful
trip to  the cursed springs of Jusenkyo.
     He commented wryly.  "That reminds me of another ancient chinese
curse."
     She looked at him, curious.  "Oh? What ancient chinese curse?"
     "May you live in interesting times."  He smiled.  "I think that may
be one we all currently have."  Akane grimaced, then she looked wry, she
smiled and started to laugh.  Johnathon joined her, laughter echoed in
the dojo, then quiet conversation.  Johnathon slowly got Akane to talk
about some of her experiances with Ranma.
     When Ranma snuck into the dojo half an hour later, having finally
lost Shampoo, he heard their conversation.
     "And then he said, "And I'm better built to boot."  Akane was
saying.
     "Oh my." answered Johnathon.
     He started to laugh and Akane fought back a chuckle herself.
"What's so funny about that?"
     He shook his head, still laughing a bit.  "So what did you do?"
Akane turned red and Johnathon waited for an answer.
     Ranma-chan walked in with a quip.  "She hit me with the kitchen
table!"
     Johnathon looked over at Ranma.  "Ouch."
     Johnathon and Akane stood up.  Johnathon was looking intently at
Ranma-chan, who suddenly realized that she was still female and was
turning a bit pale.  "Don't worry Ranma,"  Johnathon said holding up his
hand.  "Your secret is safe with me."  Ranma had been looking a bit shy
and pensive, and Johnathon realized that he had been staring.  My god
she's gorgeous!  He tore his eyes away.  <Its a guy, its a guy.>  They
all stood there for a few long moments, no one knowing what to say.
     Johnathon broke the silence.  "So Akane, lets spar ok?"
     Akane, pleased at the tension being broken, nodded.  "All right
John-san."  The two of them walked over to the center of the dojo,
bowed, and entered their stances.  Ranma-chan sat down to watch,
interested in evaluating Johnathon's level of skill.  They began to
spar, Johnathon started out with a quick offensive series of kicks, but
was quickly driven to defense by Akane.  It was quickly obvious to Ranma
who had the upper hand.  Johnathon was slightly faster, and had better
reach, but Akane was both stronger and better skilled.  She was much
stronger in fact, although only a little better skilled.  Ranma studied
Johnathon closely.  He was quite tall, a bit over six feet, but light,
it was hard to tell because of the loose fitting black clothing he wore
but he appeared to be under 160lbs.   That explained both his speed and
lack of strength.
     He and Akane sparred for about ten minutes.  The third time
Johnathon hit the floor they stopped for a break.  Akane really didn't
need one but Johnathon was obviously exhausted, having had to go full
out to match Akane.  As Johnathon sat panting on the floor they heard
Kasumi's voice.  "Akane, Ranma, dinner!"  All three of them got to their
feet.
     Akane turned to Johnathon to invite him to dinner, anticipating her
he shook his head.  "I've got papers to grade tonight, so please excuse
me, Akane, Ranma, I'll see you in a few days."  He bowed formally to
Akane, nodded to Ranma, then walked outside.  He heard Ranma and Akane
run into the house as he went out the front gate.
     "Wow." he said quietly to himself in English.  "If I hadn't seen it
with my own eyes... who would have thought magic could be real?"  He
walked back to his apartment, a bemused expression on his face the whole
way.  The last few blocks he started to jog, a grin appearing on his
face.  "That's so cool!"  He ran the last hundred feet and jumped up
unto his porch in a bound. "I feel like a kid tonight."  He shook his
head at his own foolishness, and went inside.
     The next week went by quickly, Johnathon was busy with class work
but always found time to get to the Tendo dojo to train.  Akane was
there each time to spar.  She told Johnathon that without her regular
daily fights with her fan-club each morning, she was glad for a sparring
partner to keep her hand in.  Johnathon was slightly disappointed that
Ranma didn't show up too, but Akane seemed a bit upset at Ranma, so
Johnathon decided not to bring it up.  He had over-heard something at
the school about Ranma kissing Akane and then her putting him out of
sight.  Kids, getting so upset over a kiss, no sense getting Akane mad
though...
     Another week passed.  Johnathon kept an eye out for Ranma,
intending to ask him to spar, but somehow he couldn't find him alone.
Akane had seemed distracted and tense during their sparring sessions
recently, so he finally broke down and asked her.  "Akane, what's
wrong?  You seem troubled."  They had just finished sparring, and
Johnathon had gotten a couple of good hits in.  He had improved, but not
that much.
     She answered him slowly.  "Yes John-san, I guess it's just
Shampoo."
     He was confused.  "Shampoo? You're having trouble with your hair?"
     "What?  No, that's just her name, the Amazon bimbo that's
been trying to kill Ranma, or marry him.  She's been wrecking the house,
coming here at all hours, glomping onto Ranma... And Him!  He doesn't do
a thing about it, that worthless, spineless, pervert!"
     Johnathon remembered that night two weeks ago.  "She's the girl
with the purple hair and the weapons?"
     "Yes!"  Akane went on and on about the "Amazon hussy."  Johnathon
let her rave until she started to repeat herself.
     "Sounds like she's pretty persistent."  He looked at Akane
sympathetically, she didn't really hear him, going on and on about
Shampoo.  Johnathon sighed wearily and let her talk.  Better let her get
it out of her system.  Above, a shadowy figure crept above the dojo.
Shampoo had all ready determined that Ranma and his father, and the
violent girls father and two sisters were in the house, she could hear
her rival Akane ranting about her in the dojo.
     Soon she would level the playing field.  Ranma was scared of cats,
so Shampoo was handicapped in her quest to win his heart.  On a level
playing field however, Akane wouldn't stand a chance.  She hefted the
bucket and perched over the doors, waiting.  Inside Akane had finally
wound down, she looked at Johnathon, grateful for a nonjudgmental ear.
They sat quietly for a bit, not wanting to break the mood.  Finally he
got up to go.  He held one fist up over his heart and nodded to her.
<Be strong.>  Understanding, she smiled and watched him leave without
saying a word.
     Johnathon walked out into the darkness in front of the dojo.  There
was a splash and he felt himself suddenly enfolded in a mass of cloth.
He was scooped up and carried off before he could figure out what had
happened to him.  <What's going on?>  Something huge was carrying him
along.  He was engulfed in black cloth, it was slightly sweaty, smelled
familiar, smelled? Johnathon sniffed curiously and again with
astonishment.  He normally couldn't smell much of anything, his
allergies kept him slightly congested most of the year.  <This is
weird.>
     He started trying to get loose then, and realized that his arms and
legs were not-quite-right... What's happening to me?!?  In a fit of
clawing due to fear and claustrophobia he managed to get his head and
shoulders free, and his paws... PAWS!  <I'm an animal of some kind!>  He
felt the grip on him tighten.
     "Don't struggle so much violent girl."  A voice said in heavily
accented Japanese.  "Be a good cat."  Johnathon stiffened in shock.
Shampoo smirked in satisfaction, <now Akane knows how it feels.>  The
horror of losing her humanity, the helplessness of being a little cat.
She landed (having run on rooftops the whole way) in front of the Cat
Cafe and went inside.  She popped "Akane" into a cage and shut the
door.  Dropping her clothing on the table Shampoo noticed something
odd.  "When Akane start wearing black?"  she asked, looking puzzled now.

     She went through the clothing slowly, holding up each piece to the
light.  The arms of the shirt seemed too long, so did the black pair of
jeans,  male underwear?  She looked at the black cat in the cage, the
same color as Akane's (and Johnathon's) hair.  "Akane, is that you?"
The cat snarled
violently at her in response, hissing and spitting.  "Oops."  She got up
quickly and ran into the kitchen.  "Great-Grandmother?  I think I
goofed!"  Minutes later Cologne was looking at the cat. She opened the
door, reached in and grabbed Johnathon by the neck in a flash.
     She put him to sleep with a Shiastu point a second later.  "Yes
grand daughter, you are correct, it is a male, and not the son-in-law.
I think it is time for you to practice the Xi-Fa-Xiang-Gao shiatsu
technique some more.


                                                  End Chapter 2
                                      From a Different Point of View