Well, I completed chapter one.

Do you think I should submit it to Viz as a possible start to a 
novelization of the series?

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 taught 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 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, Kuno 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.

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	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 stretched 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.  Akane looked down 
at the rubble in front of her, a look of satisfaction on her and sighed, 
"Ahhhh, good!"
	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 past 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_!!!"
	The girl 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.  Knocking the braid, 
which had ended up in front of her to her back and she 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, 
the girl failed to notice the Panda get up and lift the street sign.  
Wielding it almost as though it was a Katana, the Panda used the sign to 
knock the girl out.  It then picked her up, 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 scaring 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 mans 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 was a bit 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 their 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.

***

	A short time later, Soun slowly awoke to the sound of a wind 
chime, the normally soothing sound bring back the unfortunate memory of 
what had happened.  He couldn't quite bring himself to move yet, and he 
knew that he was lying down on his own futon, his comforter pulled up 
around him, and the sound of someone dipping a cloth into a bowl and 
squeezing it.   Unbidden, tears started to leak from the corner of his 
eyes, and he thought about how cruel life could be.  He now knew why his 
old friend Genma hadn't shown up and had sent a protector for the girl in 
the form of a Giant Panda.
	Kasumi noticed when her fathers eyes opened slightly, enough so 
that he could see.  She knew that he was still in shock over what had 
happened, pinning his hopes and dreams on a future son in law only to 
have had that snatched away.  "Poor father.  He's so disappointed."
	Nabiki couldn't keep her temper at that.  Listening to her 
father, she had come to hope that perhaps she would have been Ranma's 
choice for a wife.  Not so much so that the Dojo could be retained within 
the family, but more so that she could finally have someone for herself.  
"HE'S disappointed!  Some fiancee this is!"
	Akane, who had been fairly silent up to now got angry herself.  
She quickly glanced at the girl who was beside her with her guardian 
Panda sitting quietly in back of her.  She noticed that Ranma was still 
embarrassed over what had happened, and that she had remained very 
silent.  She could also see the emotions that the pig-tailed girl had and 
that she was now in a position where she had no friends, no family, and 
had been literally dumped upon people who now acted like she was a 
problem.  "Stop it, you two.  He...she is our guest!"  she said and 
stressed the word guest.
	Nabiki was having none of it.  Unlike her two sisters, no-one had 
really wanted her or had gone after her in a very, very long time.  She 
had thought that this was her chance to finally have _someone_.  "This is 
all your fault father.  You should have made sure."
	That was finally enough to get Soun to talk, although the rest of 
his body still refused to function properly.  "Saotome-san said he had a 
son!!"
	That made Nabiki angrier than ever with her father.  Unlike him, 
she had seen too much of the modern world.  While men like her father 
still lived in a dream world where rigid rules of honour were respected 
and expected, she had seen the politicians, businesses, and others who 
had, to her way of reasoning, no honour.
	She suddenly grabbed Ranma by the back and used her free hand to 
squeeze Ranma's breast, causing the young girl to blush again.  "Do you 
see a son here?  eh...?  Do you?!"
	Akane noticed Ranma's face becoming a brighter red, although she 
refused to raise her hands to stop it.  Instead the pig-tailed girl only 
said, "Could you please stop that?"
	Akane had finally had enough, and she also had to get the girl 
out of there.  It was obvious that she was much too polite for her own 
good.  Getting up, she asked Ranma, "Say, would you like to join me out 
in the Dojo?"
	Ranma looked up, a look of surprise clearly evident on her face, 
and her expressive turquoise eyes showing her emotions.  She was 
obviously a girl that had never learned to hide her emotions, and Ranma 
didn't even realize how cute she looked with that expression.  Still 
cautious, she nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly.
	Akane noticed, and almost giggled at how innocent Ranma seemed.  
She certainly was brought up to be extremely polite however, just the 
sort of girl that Akane liked as friend.  "I'm Akane.  Would you like to 
be friends?"
	Ranma slowly smiled her thanks although she didn't yet speak.
	Leading her new friend out to the Dojo, a fairly modern set of 
rooms with florescent lights in the ceiling, a small shine, some scenery 
and the dojo motto, Akane decided that she would have to get Ranma to 
open up a little.  "You do practice Kenpo don't you?"
	Ranma, still a little nervous about these people and the 
situation, but none the less glad that she had at least found a friend, 
replied, "A little bit."
	Akane noticed that Ranma was still very nervous, and since 
physical exercise always soothed her, she said, "Then lets have a small 
match, between the two of us.  OK?"
	Ranma looked at Akane's face and was a little confused.  She was 
the first girl that the pig-tailed girl had ever met that was really 
interested in the Martial arts, and that made her a little apprehensive.  
Despite the fact that she was also a girl, Ranma didn't really want to 
harm or fight Akane.  Besides, she had fought a girl once, and that had 
turned out to be a disaster.  "Aahhhh..."
	Akane smiled again, noticing that the girl was now confused.  She 
was definitely too innocent for her own good, especially since it was 
obvious that she would be living with them now.  "It's just for fun.  
Don't worry, I won't hurt you."
	Ranma was still nervous as she replied, "If you say so."
	Akane went into a hard battle stance, reminiscent of the lower 
forms of Karate.  She had noticed that Ranma hadn't gone into a stance, 
and stood with her arms behind her back.  Since it was obvious that she 
wasn't really prepared, Akane had chosen a stance that would allow her to 
transmit her movements in an obvious way.
	She quickly closed the space between the two of them, punching 
quickly, and shouting aloud.  It was with some surprise that she noted 
Ranma had leapt up five and a half feet.  She was obviously not as 
inexperienced at the arts as she seemed, so Akane reduced the amount that 
she could be read by half and then did a high side kick at the girl in 
front of her.
	Ranma just leapt up again and opened up her legs wide.  Spreading 
her arms out to keep her balance, she noted how good Akane was, and 
admired her abilities.  The way that she suddenly dropped the amount of 
movement in the way she could be read indicated that her opponent was 
very skilled in the arts.  If this continued, she could very well be hit 
since she wouldn't be able to tell how the blow was going to land.  
However, she still couldn't bring herself to throw a blow that would hit 
or hurt Akane.
	Meantime Akane kept throwing blows, each time reducing the amount 
of movements that could be read.  punches, kicks, jabs, and so on.  While 
she was getting closer each time, it still wasn't getting through.  She 
also noticed that Ranma hadn't thrown a single blow at her.  "What's 
wrong?  Swing at me."
	Ranma didn't reply, how could she take the chance on hitting a 
friend?  The only friend she'd had in a very, very long time.
	Akane suddenly started a set of blows that Ranma dodged, although 
it had been a close thing at the beginning of the series.
	Ranma backed away a little bit while Akane did the same.  This 
was getting more and more serious with each passing moment and she 
realized that one of them would get hurt if this continued, and she 
didn't want to be the one to throw the blow that hurt Akane.  She then 
noticed the change in Akane's stance, A change that indicated that Akane 
had decided that this Ranma could stand more than just practice.
	Akane in the meantime had been wondering why her blows were 
missing.  Each time she struck, she had narrowed the margin that her 
movements had shown.  Most martial artists would have already been beaten 
back by the series of strikes that she had already tried.  *Why?  Why am 
I missing her?* she thought, *It's almost as if Ranma's reading all my 
moves.*
	That was when she realized something.  Her father said that he 
had trained together with this girls father, and if that was the case, 
then the Ranma was probably a practitioner of Arts of Indiscriminate 
Grappling as well.  She shifted stances, *OK then, this time for real.*
	Akane moved fast, get up to Ranma at a high speed and throwing a 
real, not a practice blow.  Ranma barely had time to leap above the fist, 
having to crouch slightly to gather enough speed.  She saw that Akane's 
hand was still in the wall, and an opportunity presented itself to her to 
finish this fight quickly.  She gave a slight push against the wall and 
flipped over to land behind Akane, giving her a light tap with her index 
finger.
	Akane, was still stunned, not at having missed Ranma, she had 
expected that, but that she had put so much force into the blow that she 
had broken the wall.  When she felt the finger on her head, she turned 
slowly, to see Ranma smiling and laughing, the first real bit of joy that 
she had seen on the girls face since arriving.  Akane joined in the 
laughter, glad all of a sudden to have made a friend, and meeting someone 
she could really respect.
	Akane managed to stop herself, although the two of them were now 
gasping a little, enjoying each others company,  Looking at Ranma, and 
indicating that they should go over to the couch, she said, "You're 
fairly good.  I'm just glad that you're a girl."
	Ranma looked back at her, a bit of puzzlement on her face, "Huh?"
	Akane giggled a bit and looked back at Ranma, "It's just 
that...I'd really hate to lose to a boy."
	Ranma smiled a bit nervously as she looked at Akane and followed 
her to the seats, but soon the two girls were talking and laughing about 
things, Ranma still to shy to say very much.

***

	A Giant Panda is certainly a rare sight in China, and an even 
rarer sight outside of that country, so seeing one entering the bath with 
a towel, shampoo, and other bathing paraphernalia was unheard of.  The 
Panda pulled up a seat and noticed that he wouldn't be able to use it.  
Sighing, the Panda then washed his fur, using up almost the entire bottle 
of shampoo.  Uncovering the tub, the Panda dipped a small towel into it, 
and then put it on top of his head as he stepped into the bath proper.
	The Panda rested back, using it's front legs as though they were 
a humans arms...

***

	The sounds of the wind chime swinging in the evening breeze broke 
through the gloom and silence that had fallen across the main room of the 
Tendo home.  The evening sky, red with the approaching evening, seemed to 
call to the soul, as if at once beautiful and mournful.  In the room, 
facing one another was Soun and a man wearing a handkerchief on his head 
and glasses.
	Both men were in martial arts uniforms, Soun's being a dark, 
almost black practice outfit and the stocky man's an off-white.  They sat 
silently, their faces revealing nothing to others except for the tears 
streaming down their faces.  Nabiki, looking at the two, had only seen 
this expression on her fathers face once before, a few weeks after her 
mother had died.  At the time, she had thought her father didn't care 
about anything anymore, but Nabiki now knew that it was only her fathers 
way of blocking the pain.
	She went into the kitchen, concerned that perhaps this person had 
brought her father some sort of bad news, something that might make go 
back to the way he was when her mother had died, "Elder sister?  Do you 
know who that man is?"
	Kasumi in the meantime had been preparing the evening meal.  She 
had brought out three bottles of beer, and was putting the finishing 
touches on some deserts when her sister had asked the question.  Not 
looking up from what she was doing, and still a little unnerved over what 
had happened earlier, she said, "No, I don't little sister."
	She then remembered her guest, and the fact that she hadn't yet 
shown the girl either to a room or to where the bath was.  Asking Nabiki 
to go and set up the table for the evening meal, she went to a closet and 
brought out a nice soft and fluffy towel.  She went outside to find Ranma 
looking out at the garden, contemplating both it's complex simplicity and 
the beauty of the evening.  "Ranma-chan, it's almost time for supper.  
Wouldn't you like to go take a bath?"
	Ranma was startled out of her reverie, thinking about the 
situation she had been placed in, and the fact that she was now friends 
with Akane.  Her problem was that now they were friends, she couldn't 
take the chance of Akane finding out her secret.  Ranma was unsure what 
could be done to resolve the situation.  "umm...No.  I mean, It's OK."
	Kasumi looked at the young girl and promptly gave her the towel, 
putting her hands on the girls shoulders and leading her to the bath.  
>From the looks of things, the girl had lived too long along or with only 
her father and the guardian Panda.  She definitely needed to be shown how 
to live in the city.  "No it's not Ranma-chan.  You must be all sweaty 
from your workout and young ladies do not go to the dining table that way!"
	Ranma sighed as she was led to the washing area and given a soft 
sponge, some soap, shampoo, and a rinsing bucket.  She went in and took 
off her clothes, putting it into the hamper, and going into the bath 
proper.  Filling up the bucket with some cold water, she quickly rinsed 
herself and then started to scrub her skin.  Soon, she was fairly clean 
and had rinsed herself off.
	She then sighed and looked towards the hot tub, now filled with 
fresh steaming water.  "Aahhhh!  Now what do I do?"

***

	In another part of the house, Nabiki had found Akane after Kasumi 
said to find the youngest Tendo girl and to tell her to wash up.  "Akane, 
the bath's ready."
	Akane looked at her sister and then went towards her room to get 
her towel.  "Thanks!"

***

	Ranma was soaking in the tub a little bit depressed because she 
didn't want to lose her friend.  The big problem was her secret.  "What 
to do?  What to do?" she kept repeating to herself over and over again, 
not coming to any possible conclusion.

***

	Akane walked into the outer change area of the bath, noticing 
that Ranma's clothes were already in the hamper.  Wanting to spend some 
time with her new friend she quickly undressed, removing the bow in her 
hair and humming to herself.

***

	Ranma was thinking, and came to one conclusion.  The Tendo's 
would have to know the secret, *They'll find out anyway.  Sooner or 
later.  It might as well be on my terms.*

***

	Akane had taken off the last of her clothes and grabbed her 
towel.  Prepared to surprise the shorter girl, Akane tip toed over to the 
room separator and opened it up...

***

	A voice in the bath said, "May as well go out like I am."  The 
problem was the voice was not that of a young girl, but definitely the 
voice of a young man.
	That was when the washroom door opened and Akane looked into the 
bath.  In it was a young man, about a head taller than her and coming out 
of the bath.  Her brown eyes registered the shock she was feeling as his 
face also registered shock and worry.  They stayed looking at each other 
for a few moments, until she looked down to confirm what she saw.  
Suddenly she left the room and closed the door.
	Once she had done that, she pulled on her underwear and her gi 
top, tying the belt around it to keep it closed.  She got into her 
slippers and walked out into the hallway, closing the door behind her.  
Her mind was confused, she had been so sure that Ranma was in the bath, 
not this man, whoever he was.  She then began to tremble a bit, and 
before she knew what was happening...
	"YYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
	The scream could be heard all over the house as the two men 
looked up their concentration broken, realizing too late what must have 
happened.
	Her sisters, who were taking the food and drinks to the table 
were more concerned, especially when Akane came running hard and fast, 
going outside and not bothering to take off her slippers.
	They both noted, with some worry, how Akane was reacting.  While 
she was violent from time to time, it was the first time she had ever 
displayed so much strength.
	Akane, in the meantime was not even noticing how heavy the bolder 
that she had ripped off of one of the garden ornaments was.  The rock, 
which had to weigh well over one hundred kilograms was perfect for her 
purposes.  "I'LL WEIGH HIM DOWN!  I'LL DROWN THAT MAN IN THE BATH!"
	Nabiki, who was a lot calmer said, "Akane, what is it?  What's 
that boulder for?"
	Not being very coherent at the time, Akane replied as she entered 
the house, her feet pounding out doom, "THERE'S A HENTAI IN THE BATH!"
	Nabiki, who had seen what her younger sister had done to the more 
persistent suitors at school was rather amazed at what her sister was 
doing.  It was somewhat unusual for her to react in this manner.  "Why 
didn't you just kill him with your bare hands?"
	"Because I'm afraid!" came Akane's reply.
	Kasumi was getting confused, especially since she knew that there 
was only one other person who could have been in the room at that time.  
"That's strange.  Ranma was in the bath just now."
	That was when someone turned the corner, catching Nabiki's eye.  
He was wearing a similar outfit that Ranma had been wearing earlier.  
"Uh....Who....Who..."
	Nabiki noticed the same thing, although she thought that the 
clothing was an exact copy of the outfit that Ranma had been wearing.  
While the one on her had seemed right, but a little loose, this one was 
close fitting to his form, showing the muscles that he had.
	The tall youth scratched the back of his head, not quite knowing 
how to begin.  He decided just to go for it.  "I'm Saotome Ranma.  Excuse 
me."

***

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