ALTERNATIONS chapter1 part 2
A Ranma 1/2 FanFic by Paul G Harrison
Characters copyright their respective holders
Used without permission, no offense intended

**********
Breakfast was over, and Ranma was talking to his father at the table. Kasumi
was in the kitchen washing the dishes, and Akane and Nabiki were upstairs
getting ready for school. Ranma was looking at his father with some distaste
as the later mentioned school.

"Son, we're going to be staying here for some time, so as of today, you will
be going to Furinken High with Akane and Nabiki." Genma explained. "Even
though our training missions have made your school attendance rather sporadic,
I know you'll be able to catch up and achieve a decent grade." He looked at
Ranma slyly, "I'm sure Akane would be willing to help you study."

Ranma glared at his father in annoyance. "Cut it out, oyaji. Stop trying to
push us into this. Akane and I agreed to let the engagement stand for now,
out of respect for her father... and you, I suppose. But we will decide what
happens. I like her, and she likes me, but whether or not that ever turns
into love is no one's business but ours! Got that!?"

Genma let his head hang down. Ranma was correct, he was trying to push Ranma
and Akane together. A few years ago, he would have just ignored what Ranma
was saying, but he had changed since then. It had been just after Ranma's
twelveth birthday that Genma had realized that Ranma didn't really have much
respect for him. That had hurt, so he sat and thought, trying to understand
why. When he came to the answer, he wanted to deny it, but couldn't. Finally
realizing that it was his rude and obnoxious behavior that was the problem,
he began to change, and Ranma began to respect him... a little.

Genma looked up again. "I'm sorry, Ranma. You are right, but this means a lot
to me. You will give this a fair chance, won't you?"

Ranma looked slightly surprised. "You know, it's when you say things like
that, that I respect you the most. Don't worry oyaji, I intend to give it a
chance. If it works out, fine. If we can't make it work though, I'm not going
to force it. Akane and I talked about it a little last night. For now, we're
just friends. Just let it be for now."

Genma sighed, but whether from sorrow or relief was hard to tell. "Okay, son.
You had better get ready for school. I think I hear the others coming
downstairs."

Ranma sighed, then ran up to his room to get his old book bag.

***

Nabiki had left early, but Akane had waited. Ranma was glad, for two reasons.
First, he had no idea where Furinken High was, and second, he wanted someone
to talk to. As they walked to school, Ranma asked Akane many questions about
what they would be studying, and what people he should get to know or avoid.
Akane told him about the classes she had and said that his would probably be
much the same.

"You'll probably be in several of the same classes as me, which should make
helping you catch up a little easier."" Akane looked at him out of the corner
of her eye, "Do you get good grades?"

"I can't really call them 'good', but when I was able to attend school, I got
scores in the mid to upper 70s." Ranma replied with a sigh. Unnoticed, the
sky began to darken.

***

As Akane and Ranma arrived at the gate to Furinkan High, the sky became
filled with heavy black rain clouds. Rain was imminent.

Akane stopped Ranma at the gate. "This is my fight, so please stay out of it,
okay?"

"Huh? What fight?" Ranma asked, glancing about curiously.

"You'll see. Just watch." Akane replied with resignation.

At that moment, a rather large group of boys rushed out of the main building
and ran straight at Akane, screaming loudly for her to go out with them.
Ranma watched in amazement as Akane fought them off, singly, in small groups,
and even in a large group. She kicked, she punched, she tossed one boy into
another. In the course of a minute or so, all the boys lay on the ground,
groaning.

"Serves you right!" said Akane after she caught her breath. A movement caught
her eye. <Oh no, not him again!>

The figure held a bokken in a firm but easy grip. It was quite obvious that
he knew how to use it. He raised it in salute. "Tendou Akane-san, today I'll
shall defeat you, and then you will be mine."

Ranma walked over to Akane. "Wow," he remarked to her, "you're really good.
And you seem real popular with the guys."

The figure turned to Ranma. "Who are you to speak with such familiarity with
Tendou Akane. Know that I am the great Kunou Tatewaki, Blue Thunder of
Furinken High. Tremble before me."

Ranma looked annoyed. "Not that it's any of your business, but I'm Saotome
Ranma, heir to the Saotome school of Musabetsu Kakuto. And Akane and I are
engaged."

Akane looked a little annoyed as he said that, but it passed quickly. She
knew that Nabiki would have told everyone about the engagement by lunchtime
anyway. Kunou, however, exploded. "You, engaged to my beautiful Tendou
Akane-san!!!? Never will I allow such a thing! Prepare to defend thyself."
He swung his bokken at Ranma, but Ranma wasn't there to be hit.

Ranma move close to Kunou, getting inside his guard, and yelled in his face.
"If Akane and I want to be engaged, IT'S... NONE... OF... YOUR... BUSINESS!!"
Then the rain began to fall in a torrent.

Ranma transformed almost instantly. Kunou stared in shock. "Saotome, you
pervert! And you Akane, how could you do such a thing, getting engaged to
another woman. It disgusts me! Go! I no longer wish to see you!" With that,
he spun and walked back into the main building.

"Oh no," said Akane, dread filling her soul, "this is worse than I thought
possible."

Ranma tried to reassure her. "It'll probably be okay once I explain the
situation to a few people. There will always be some people like Kunou in
the world. We just have to live with it."

Akane gave a tremulous smile and led Ranma to class, stopping by the restroom
on the way, so Ranma could change back into a boy.

***

"Attention class," the teacher started, "We have a new student, Saotome Ranma,
recently arrived back from martial arts training in China. Please welcome him
to our class. Saotome-san, your seat will be there." He pointed to the seat
next to Akane, which was the only vacant seat in the classroom. "However,
being new does not excuse the fact that you and Tendou-san were late for
class. Go stand in the hall."

Ranma and Akane each walked meekly to the door, pausing to pick up the
water-filled buckets sitting to one side. They stood out in the hall in an
uneasy silence for a minute or so. Ranma turned his head to look at Akane,
and whispered, "Sorry I made us late, Akane. Why did it have to rain today?"

"It wasn't your fault, Ranma" Akane whispered back. "I heard on the news last
night that rain was likely this morning, but I forgot the problems it might
cause. I kind of like walking in the rain."

***

Kunou Tatewaki was furious. He was also somewhat incoherent as he spoke to
Nabiki. "How could SHE, of all people... just the thought... corrupting the
pure... that PERVERT!" Kunou looked like he was preparing to wreck the
classroom.

Nabiki sighed, <I can't let him wreck the place. Mid terms are coming up and
I need all the study time I can get.> "Hey Kunou-chan, what are you raving
about now?"

Kunou turned to face her with a glare of anger. "Your sick sister and that
hentai Saotome! How could you live with such a person in your household? How
could you stand to see them engaged?"

Nabiki was slightly surprised. <How does Kunou-chan know about the engagement
already? And why would he think it's sick?> "Who told you about the
engagement? What's wrong with it?" she asked.

Kunou looked shocked. "It was the wretched Saotome herself that told me of
this vile engagement. You see nothing wrong with two women being engaged!?
You must be as sick as they are!"

Nabiki suddenly realized what was wrong. "Ah, Kunou-chan, Saotome-san is NOT
a girl... well, at least not usually. He had a little 'accident' in China.
Cold and hot water turn him into girl and boy form respectively. He is really
a boy, though."

Kunou allowed this explaination to filter through his mind. "I see. What you
are saying is that Saotome is a freak. Very well, one day I shall vanquish
him from this world. However, I cannot forgive Tendou Akane-san for accepting
that vile creature as her iinazuke. She has destroyed the pureness of her
heart, and I wish to see her no more."

Nabiki patted his shoulder. "Look at it this way, Kunou-chan. At least she
won't be beating you up any more." Kunou looked at Nabiki with an expression
on his face that Nabiki had only seen before when directed at Akane.

"Very well, Tendou Nabiki-san, I shall allow you to go out with me." He said
in a loud voice that echoed through the classroom.

Nabiki fled. Fast.

***

Ranma and Akane were still standing in the hall. They heard a commotion at
the far end of the hall, and turning in that direction, saw Nabiki being
chased by Kunou. Nabiki was yelling for help, and Kunou was spouting bad
poetry and stating his undying love for her. As they passed, Ranma lashed out
with his foot, knocking Kunou over. Nabiki stepped behind him, hoping he
could divert Kunou away from her.

Ranma was annoyed, "Hey senpai, leave Nabiki alone." He glared at Kunou,
lying in a heap on the floor. "Find someone else to bother, huh?" <What a
jerk.>

Kunou sprang to his feet and lashed out with his bokken. Ranma was surprised,
but managed to evade. "Never, Saotome. Never is it allowed for you to touch
the mighty Kunou Tatewaki, Blue Thunder of Furinken High. I shall vanquish
you here and now." He swung again with his bokken, changing its direction in
mid-swing, but Ranma still managed to evade it.

"Hey Kunou, this is no place to fight. Join me outside if you want to fight."
Ranma slid a nearby window open while speaking.

Akane was shocked by Ranma's action. "Ranma, we're on the third floor!"

Ranma replied confidently, "Don't worry, It'll be fine. Coming Kunou?" With
that said, he leapt out the window.

Kunou was beyond furious. That PERVERT was trying to insult his honor.
Yelling, "I shall smite thee this day!" Kunou followed Ranma out the window.

There was a loud rumble as the entire student body tried to race to the
window. Nabiki and Akane managed to get there first, and so had an excellent
view of what happened.

Ranma executed a magnificent dive into the pool that he had recalled seeing
out that window earlier. Kunou, on the other hand, had not been thinking when
he dove through the window. Thus he was unprepared to find a pool beneath
him. The result of that was the biggest belly-flop anyone had ever seen. It
also knocked Kunou unconscious.

Ranma, now female, looked at Kunou floating facedown in the water,
unconscious. <Ah, geez. I guess I better pull him out. Otherwise he might
pollute the pool.> with a sigh of resignation, Ranma swam to Kunou, and
flipped him over. He then proceeded to drag the soggy swordsman onto the
embankment.

Kunou's eyes fluttered open. His head hurt abominably. The last thing he
recalled was falling into the pool. Now he was on dry land. Someone had saved
him. His eyes finally focused and, seeing Ranma standing over him, gave a cry
of dispair. <Curse you fate! Now I cannot with honor, kill this wretched
creature that has currupted the once pure Tendou Akane. It is too cruel!> He
struggled to speak. "Saotome Ranma, since you have assisted me in a small
manner, I cannot with honor complete my vengence against you. However, I
cannot forgive your transgretions against me so easily. Be prepared therefore,
for I shall make your life a living hell for the pain you have caused me, you
sex-changing freak!" Kunou stood unsteadily, and walked back into the main
builind.

Ranma stared after him. <This day is going downhill fast. I'm soaking wet,
it's cold, and I REALLY don't feel like facing everryone like this.> With
that thought, she headed out through the field towards the trees which lined
the edge of the school grounds. <Maybe I should just head back to the
Tendou's.>

Ranma's musings were interrupted by Akane calling her name, softly, from
behind her. "Ranma? I brought you some hot water. Aren't you coming back to
class?"

Ranma took the kettle of hot water that Akane had brought for her. Pouring it
over her head, she changed back into boy-form. "Thanks, Akane. No, I just
can't deal with this today. I need to think about it for a while."

"Let's go home then" Akane said with a smile. "They sent Nabiki home after
she fainted when Kunou came back into the building. I had to bash him over
the head to keep him for trying to 'revive' her. I told my teacher that I
was going to walk her home, but she said she was fine on her own, so I came
looking for you with some hot water. Oh, here." She pulled a towel out of her
book bag and handed it to Ranma. Ranma accepted it and began drying off as
well as he could.

Ranma wrapped the towel around his shoulders. "Thanks again. Okay, let's go."
They started off for home.

***

The next day dawned warm and sunny. Ranma was awoken early by Genma nudging
him with his foot. "Rise up, Ranma. It's a perfect day to get in a bit of
training before breakfast. Or would you rather I dump this pail of cold water
over you?" Genma smiled. He knew that would get Ranma up very quickly indeed.

Ranma practically bounced out of his futon and assumed a ready stance. Genma
placed the EMPTY bucket on the floor, and led the way out into the back yard.
Soon, the sounds of mock battle could be heard from outside.

Kasumi looked out the kitchen window. Seeing Ranma and his father completing
their workout, she called, "Saotome-no-ojisama, Ranma-kun, breakfast is
nearly ready. Ranma, would you go wake Nabiki and Akane?"

"Sure, Kasumi" said Ranma as he bounded past her and headed upstairs.

***

Nabiki was rather nervous as she sat in her homeroom. Kunou had not yet
appeared, and she was awaiting his arival with extreme trepidaion. <I don't
know what I'll do if he acts the same as he did yesterday. I reaaly can't
afford to miss any more classes.> She glanced over at the clock, and when
she turned back to the door, her view was blocked by a large teddy bear.

"This is for you, my beautious Nabiki-san." Said Kunou, and then he began
spouting poetry.

Nabiki threw the bear at him. "Go away! Leave me alone!" she shouted in fear
and annoyance. "EEEEEEKKK!" she screamed as Kunou grabbed her, and hugged
her tightly. In an act of desperation, she managed to push him away.

Kunou staggered backwards, and crashed into the teacher as he entered the
room. The cup of coffee that the teacher had been drinking flew into the air
and came down all over Kunou.

"Kunou-san! Go stand in the hall!" said the teacher, angered. <How am I going
to get through this day without my morning cup of coffee> he lamented.

***

Nabiki saw Ranma and Akane sitting under a tree, eating lunch. She walked
over to join them. "So how's your day going you two?"

Akane frowned slightly. "It's funny, but none of the guys attacked me this
morning. The guys in class have also been acting rather strangely, like they
think I'm weird or something."

"No," Nabiki responded, "I think they're afraid of Ranma. Before Kunou
arrived yesterday, I kind of mentioned your match from the other day, and
how you couldn't even touch him."

"Nabiki!" Akane started to get mad. "I thought he was a girl, so I wasn't
trying my hardest!"

"Is it really that important for you to be better than everyone else?" Ranma
asked curiously.

Akane looked slightly ashamed. "No, I guess not, but that's all I have.
Nabiki-oneechan has the brains and finacial wizardry and Kasumi-oneechan has
the beauty and domestic skills. All I have is strength and my martial
skills."

Ranma looked at her quizicly. "Don't sell yourself short, Akane. You're just
as pretty as Kasumi, and you're certainly not lacking in intelligence. As
for you martial skills, you've been training what, five or six years? I've
been training for twice that. But you're better now than I was after six
years of training."

Akane blushed at his remarks and stared down at her lunch.

Ranma turned to Nabiki. "If Akane had an easy morning, I had a rough one.
That idiot Kunou threw a bucket of water on me as I walked into the main
building. He just stood there laughing at me. I was about to pound him into
the ground, when the warning bell sounded. I didn't want to go to class as
a girl, and I didn't want to be late again, so I had to skip that and race
to the restroom for some hot water. I barely made it to class before the
final bell."

Nabiki thought for a moment. "Kunou came in to class just before the teacher.
He tried to hug me, and I was barely able to get away from him. Luckily, the
teacher got mad at him and sent him into the hall. Would you two mind
teaching me some basic moves so I can at least fend him off?"

Ranma glanced over at Akane, who, although still blushing, nodded. "Sure,"
Ranma replied. "We can start after scholl today if you like."

"Thanks, Ranma. I'll see you two after school." Nabiki got up. "Lunch is
almost over, so I'd better get back. You coming?"

Ranma and Akane got up. Gathering their leftover lunches, they headed with
Nabiki back to class.
**********

Author's Notes

Kunou's remarks in this story are not meant to offend anyone. His views are
just that, HIS views, not mine or anyone else. I'm not thrilled with his
dialog, but I couldn't think of anything else that would yield the same
result. I'm open to suggestion. This should be concidered an ALPHA version.
C & C are welcome.

BTW, does anyone know why the mailing list completely refuses to subscribe
my real address of root@pgh.vip.best.com? The ftp remailer also ignores any
mail from that address. Thanks for your time. Hope you enjoy this as much as
I did writing it.

PS: A big thanks for inspiration to the writers of my three favorite fanfics,
in no particular order: Richard Lawson, Caroline Ann Seawright, and J K Hayashi

---------------------------------------
Paul G Harrison <root@pgh.vip.best.com>