Well, some people requested more, and a few people said this would be a 
good start to a novelization.

If people think it is a good novelization, tell Trish and see if Viz 
wants to publish such a novelization.

Hitomi

***

	It is said that all that happens under the stars is known to the 
Kami, and that the Kami to some extent influence the decisions of all who 
live on the Earth.  Weather or not this is true has only been questioned 
a few times by the peoples of Nihon, the rest knowing in their hearts 
that what the Kami saw and did was for the benefit of the humans.  In 
this case, the Kami were interested in the life of one of the humans 
occupying a small house in Tokyo.
	This particular house was occupied by a man in his early 
forties.  He had a strong, kind face with long black hair and a 
mustache.  To look at him, would have been to note how handsome he was, 
and the strength of character that was within him.  His Chi was very strong.
	And he had raised three daughters, also strong in their own way.  
The eldest, who took after the kindness and dedication to the family that 
their mother had shown, his middle child, who was a genius at figures and 
numbers, sure to go on to the University, perhaps even to the Todai, and 
the youngest one a fighter in every sense of the word, a warrior that any 
of Samurai descent would be proud to call an heir.
	Of course, that did not mean that things were ever easy, 
especially since the family thought not only Kenpo and Bujutsu, but a 
highly specialized higher form of the martial arts.  They were, in fact, 
the only ones who thought this particular style as there were extremely 
few people who could even attempt it.  Somewhat of a detriment unless the 
school was kept in the family.
	Such were Soun's thoughts as he looked over the morning mail.
	Sighing, he looked up from the stack of packages, postcards, and 
letters from individuals wanting to join the school to those of Sensei's 
offering to sponsor their students to his school, and glanced guiltily 
towards the kitchen.  In it was his eldest daughter, whom he knew had 
given up her dreams and chances in order for the family to survive.  He 
knew in his heart it wasn't fair to her, as she should have been living 
her own life by now, happy and free.  From her youth he knew how much she 
had wanted to go to the university to become a healer, moreso after her 
mother had died.  He also knew how much his family needed his eldest.
	If it could somehow work out better, somehow happen that she 
could make her dreams come true, he would be happier himself.  He knew 
she would never listen to his pleas that she do something more with her 
life if he had ever voiced them.  The problem was the matter of giri.  
	There was no help for it, at least not at the moment, so he went 
back to sorting through the mail, going over all the various envelopes 
and separating them into inquiries, sponsorships, bills, and catalogues.
	It was when he got to one particular postcard that he stopped.
	The postcard was rather unusual, as the front of it showed a 
scene with a panda, and lettering that, while not precisely Japanese, was 
very close.  Turning it over, he noticed the Panda stamp, one that came 
from China, and then he read who it was from.  Tears started to come from 
his eyes as he read the message:

Bringing Ranma home.

	On Soun's face were tears of happiness as he said, out loud and 
low to himself, "Ranma is finally coming here...How I have waited for 
this day."


An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2:

Chapter One:

I'm supposed to marry...???

A fan fiction based on Takahashi Rumiko's ongoing Manga series, Ranma 1/2

Saotome Ranma, Saotome Genma, Saotome Nodoka, Tendo Akane, Tendo Soun, 
Tendo Kasumi, Tendo Nabiki, Kuonji Ukyou, Hibiki Ryouga, P-chan, Shampoo, 
Moose, Kunou Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, and Hinako Sensei are copyright 
1987,1996 by Takahashi Rumiko.

Publishing rights:

Japan:              Shogakukan Inc. Tokyo
Hong Kong:          Jademan (Holdings) Ltd.
North America:      Viz Inc.

	Soun was excited, for after half a lifetime of waiting, the 
wishes and dreams he himself had so many years ago would finally come 
true, for it meant not only the continuance of the School of 
Indiscriminate Grappling, but also the continuation of the family line, 
one that stretch back several centuries.  It would mean that his 
descendants would be taken care of.
	He had to tell his daughters immediately,.
	Soun started to shout, "Oi!  Oi!  Kasumi!  Nabiki!  Akane!"
	Not getting an immediate response, he went to look for them, 
stepping first into the kitchen that was his eldest daughters domain.  
"Kasumi!" he exclaimed, happily.
	Kasumi looked up from the melon she was carving for a Sunday 
evening snack and gazed over to her father, "Yes father?"
	"I have something that's very important to discuss with the three 
of you."  Soun said as he indicated that she should come out to the main 
room as soon as she could, "It concerns the future of our family."
	He left looking for Nabiki and found her looking over one of her 
Manga books in her bedroom.  "Nabiki.  I need to talk with you concerning 
something about the family."
	Nabiki raised her eyes slightly, "Do you need money father?"
	Smiling a bit, he answered, "No, and there may no longer be need 
to save up a lot of money to keep the dojo in the family."
	Nabiki's eyes narrowed, knowing the inheritance laws of Japan.  
"OK father, what's going on, and you better not leave anything out."
	"Can't it wait until I get Kasumi, Akane and you together?"
	"No it can't"
	Soun sighed, "OK, there's a boy coming here soon, and he's to be 
the fiancee of one of you three."
	Nabiki sighed, somehow knowing that would be the answer.  It was 
one of the only ways to keep property and money by transferring most of 
it to the newly married couple.  One of the few legal loopholes in the 
laws that took away seventy percent of all you inherited from a parent. 
	"OK, I get it."  She got up and followed her father from the room 
as he went next door.  "Akane!" he said as he knocked on her door.  
Getting no response, he looked inside and asked the heavens, "Where is 
that girl?"
	Nabiki hid a small smile, "I'll find her father."

***

	At that moment Akane was returning from her run, it being a bit 
longer than usual since it was a mild day.  Truth to tell, her runs and 
her time by herself kept her relatively sane, especially since she 
chaffed at the restriction put upon her by society.  She wanted to show 
everyone that she could be one of the best, the greatest.
	And to that end she pushed herself hard in Martial arts.
	Getting back in the gate, she shouted, "Hi!  I'm home!" and then 
ran straight to the women's changing rooms just off of the Dojo.  Once 
inside, she immediately took off her running clothes and put on her 
practice uniform.  Quickly heading outside, around the back of the dojo, 
she went to get five housing blocks and a long piece of wood.  Piling 
them up, she focused herself, and the frustrations she normally had on a 
Sunday.  Her one day of rest.
	Using a closed fist technique, she struck, letting out a yell to 
strengthen her stomach muscles, something that she would not actually do 
in a fight.  It was enough to calm and relax her, the knowledge that she 
was well able to defend herself sinking into her mind.
	At that moment, Nabiki came out from around the Dojo to confront 
her younger sister.  "There you go again, Akane." she said as she shook 
her head, arms crossed in front of her.  "No wonder all the boys at 
school think you're strange!"
	Akane's face got a slightly surprised look, one which changed to 
a look of annoyance as she was forcibly reminded of the problems she had 
with all the boys.  Instinctively, she gave her usual reply, the same 
reply that she had been giving for the last few years whenever anyone 
asked if she wanted a boyfriend, "Why should I care?"  She then thought 
about it and added for good measure, "I'm not like you, Not everyone 
thinks the world revolves around boys,  Nabiki!"
	Nabiki turned, not showing her pleasure at getting to her younger 
sister yet again, "No?"  She placed her hands behind her head, "Then I 
guess what father has to say to us would be of no interest to you would it?
	Akane turned to look at her, "What are you talking about?"

***

	There was a rumble coming from outside and the rain began to fall 
lightly over the Nerima district when a voice could be heard shouting, 
"FIANCEE?!?"
	Tendo Soun, owner and master of the Tendo School of 
Indiscriminate Grappling, looked at Akane, "Yes, to the son of a very 
good friend of mine, a person I spent a good part of my youth training 
with.  His son's name is Saotome Ranma."
	Carefully looking over the three girls in front of him, he stated 
calmly, "If one of you three girls were to marry him and carry on this 
school, then the Tendo family legacy would continue."
	Akane's eyes flashed in anger as she shouted at her father, 
getting up off her knees for a moment.  "WAIT A MINUTE!  don't _WE_ have 
some say in who we marry?"
	Kasumi looked at her father, in a calm, but resigned way.  
Akane's right father.  We've never even met this Ranma.
	Of the three of them, only Nabiki was taking this calmly, sipping 
her drink.  She had actually expected that an arranged marriage would 
take place sooner or later, possibly for all of them.  Being somewhat 
wiser to the financial realities, she knew that despite however much 
money she collected, she would not succeed in coming close to achieving 
the amount of money necessary to save the family home.  Hoping that this 
opportunity for marriage was a good prospect, she accepted her karma.
	Soun answered Kasumi, chuckling a bit, "Well, that's easily fixed."
	Nabiki hoped her father wasn't making a mistake.

***

	At that moment, not too far away, and at the edge where the rain 
was just leaving, the desperate sounds of running feet could be heard, 
making a 'tip-tip' sound which could be heard getting louder along one of 
the roads of the shopping district.  Suddenly bursting around a corner, a 
young black haired girl with reddish highlights and trailing a backpack 
was being chased by a large black and white bear.  A Panda.
	People stared at this sight, since it was unusual for a Panda to 
be found outside of a zoo, they being very rare creatures.
	As the Panda grabbed for the girl, she let go of the backpack and 
leaped up, kicking the Panda away.
	"STOP THAT!!!"  she shouted at the panda as it was knocked on it 
back and sent flying down the street.
	The Panda slowly got up, standing on it's hind legs and using 
it's forelegs almost like hands.  People standing around could now get a 
good look at the girl, she was wearing a dark red top and pants, 
reminiscent of ancient martial arts patterns.  The clothes had a definite 
Chinese look to them, and the armbands she wore were made of crushed 
velvet.  Her hair was done up into a braid, a pig-tail, and looked as 
though it would reach down to her shoulder blades if she released it.  
However, it was the Panda that was drawing all the comments, people not 
really believing their eyes.
	The girl relaxed back into a soft move stance, both hands open 
and pointed slightly down, ready to take advantage of virtually any 
strike coming her way.  "Your move..." she commented.
	The Panda wasted no time, immediately coming in with multiple 
strikes which the girl immediately evaded, waiting for an opening.
	She saw one, and as the panda struck near her ear, she shouted as 
she grabbed the front leg, "Well I still say this whole situation is 
bad!  Picking my fiancee for me _WITHOUT_ _EVEN_ _ASKING_!!!"
	She threw the panda hard into the ground and against a street 
sign, literally knocking it out of the ground.  She spent a few minutes 
recovering herself, her body trembling, and her breath slightly raged, 
staring at the cause of all her troubles.  She knocked the braid, which 
had ended up in front of her to her back and said calmly, but with some 
menace, "I'm going back to China!  Take that in Old Man."  Turning away, 
she grabbed her backpack and slippers, and started walking away, her head 
held down.
	Thinking of China, and how she wanted to get back to the springs, 
she failed to notice the Panda get up and lift the street sign.  Wielding 
in almost as though it was a Katana, the Panda used the sign to knock the 
girl out.  It then picked up the girl, standing almost as if human, and 
putting her across one shoulder.  It then picked up the girls backpack 
and shoes.
	In the meantime, the crowd was starting to get anxious, some 
saying how big the Panda was, others commenting on how much it acted like 
a man.  Seeing this the Panda got a little nervous and then growled in 
all directions.  The crowd quickly turned away and let the Panda go on 
it's way.

***

	Soun had started to explain the situation to his daughters, and 
was bringing them up to date with Ranma's history, or at least what he 
knew of it.  "Ranma and his father have been on a training voyage for 
some time now.  Recently, it seems, they crossed into China in search of 
some of the older secrets of the Martial Arts."
	Nabiki couldn't keep the excitement from her voice as she 
realized that this possible fiancee was a world traveler, he'd be able to 
tell her all sorts of things about other lands, other customs.  "Wow!  
China!!"
	Immediately, the three girls showed their preferences, although 
they did not realize how they were expressing themselves at the time.
	Kasumi frowned a little, putting her hand to her chin, "How old 
is he?  I'm not really interested in younger men."
	Nabiki concentrated on the important information, "Is he cute?"
	Akane just turned away, disgusted at the tone of the 
conversation, "What's so great about going to China?"
	Meanwhile, Nabiki's excitement and Kasumi's curiosity had them 
ask in unison, "What kind of man is this Ranma?"
	Soun laughed, happy that two of his daughters were at least 
accepting this idea.  He then turned serious, "No idea."
	Nabiki's eyes narrowed suddenly as she leaned across looking at 
her father, "'no idea'?"
	Soun stared back at her, "I've never actually met him."
	Before Nabiki could say anything more a commotion was going on 
outside.  Sounds of the gate opening and closing was followed by a young 
voice screaming, "LET GO YOU IDIOT!"
	The three girls turned to the entrance, with Kasumi saying, "We 
have visitors."
	Immediately, Nabiki started running, an excited look on her face, 
"It must be Ranma!"
	Soun wasn't too far behind her, his feet making 
uncharacteristically loud noise as the shouted, "Saotome, old friend.  
We've been waiting for you!"
	As the other two left, Kasumi, older and wiser, patted her hair 
into place and thought to herself, *I hope he's older...*
	Akane had other ideas as she moped along behind, *How 
disgusting.  Boys.*
	That was when Soun and Nabiki came running inside, Soun's face, a 
mask of calmness, and Nabiki's face showing her utter fear, especially 
since she had seen the body that the huge bear running behind them had 
been carrying.  Said body was struggling with the Panda, trying to turn 
around, "Hey...OI!"  the girl shouted, "STOP THAT!  Put me down will ya?  
You're scarring them!"
	The Panda stopped, and Soun turned to stand in front of his 
daughters, not quite sure what to do.
	Kasumi asked a question that was unusual, but given the 
circumstances, logical, "Father...This...is your friend?"
	Unable to answer verbally, Soun shook his head no.
	Meanwhile, Nabiki who hadn't been that scared in a very long time 
shouted, "Oh.  So a Panda just decides to drop in for a visit!  Happens 
all the time around here!"
	Not even Nabiki would realize how much of a prophecy that would 
be until a couple of months later.
	In the meantime, the Panda had put the girl he was carrying down 
in front of Soun.  She was young, and small, being a couple of inches 
shorter than Akane.  She looked up nervously into Soun's face, her large 
eyes nervous as she watched him carefully.
	Realizing how nervous his young guest was, and guessing him to be 
no older than fourteen or fifteen, Soun bent down and looked at him, 
"You...wouldn't happen to be..."
	The girl suddenly looked away and clutched her hands in front of 
her chest.  "Saotome Ranma.  Excuse me."
	Soun grabbed his shoulders, excited about the fact that he'd 
finally arrived while the young girls face reflected an extreme calm.  
"At last!  You've come at last!"
	Nabiki looked around her fathers shoulders, seeing him for the 
first time.  He looked younger than her, that was true, and he had a 
small thin frame, his face rounded and had delicate features, still 
having a little bit of baby fat, but there was also a quiet sort of 
strength there.  He would be perfect as a fiancee, and if there children 
had his looks...."He's cute!"
	Soun in the mean time pulled him into a hug, happy and glad to 
see the child, the son that would take over the school and become part of 
the Tendo clan.  "It's so good of you to come so...."
	Soun stopped in mid sentence, feeling something he shouldn't have 
felt on the body of this young man, feeling something he had only felt 
when he had hugged his daughters.  Not wanting to believe it, but not 
really having much choice since he had experience with this, he pushed 
the boy back and got a good look at him.
	Raising a hand, and unable to speak, he stood there, mouth 
slightly open.
	Kasumi looked on, not quite sure what to say, while Nabiki 
narrowed her eyes after her fathers reaction and took a closer, more 
careful look at their guest.  Looking at his chest, she noticed 
something, something that should not have been on a young man.  Getting 
closer, she tested her theory by poking Ranma in the breast.  Her 
suspicions confirmed, she started to look back up, her enthusiasm over a 
fiancee now dead and buried.
	Ranma, in the meantime, just closed her eyes as she embarrassly 
asked, "uhhh.....Could you stop that please?"
	Nabiki continued, looking straight at her father.  "'He'....is a girl."
	Soun fainted.

***

Ichinohei Hitomi
Hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca
http://terminal.autobahn.mb.ca/~hitomi
"The beginings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."