On Fri, 8 Nov 1996, Doug Murphy wrote:

Okay...  This makes me angry.  I think in the past few months I have heard of 
a lot of friends computer systems crashing.  Nothing had ever bothered me, 
well, my point is, I finally got some kind of virus that ended up desolating 
my hard drive and causing unrecoverable file damage.  I lost over 100 megs of 
stuff that I had downloaded from the internet (this will take a long time to 
recover...) all of the fics i was going to review, my archive of 'All time 
greatest' fics, and most of all... SIX MONTHS WORTH OF WRITING... SCRAPPED.

Looks like I'm investing in a tape drive...

Anyway, if you wanted Draxon's Review Corner to review your fic, please 
re-send it to me.  In two days I had about 15 fics in line, and I want to get 
them back and review them.  I would also request Alternate History of Ranma 
1/2.  I think I'll take a stroll down towards Skyknight's web page and pick up 
the BGZone fics.

Here you go!

***

	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.  Whether 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 taught 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, more so 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,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, Tofu-Sensei, and Hinako Sensei are
copyright 1987, 1996 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Morisato Keiko, and Natsume Sayoko are copyright 1996 by Ichinohei Hitomi

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.  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.  That had the additional benefit of meaning 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 its 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 its
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 man's 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 embarrassingly
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 father's 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 fluorescent lights in the ceiling, a small shrine, 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.  It quickly rinsed itself off, using the shower hose instead
of the wash basin.  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 its 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 its 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.  It was with a little bit of amazement they
looked on as a ripping sound, unlike that ever heard by them before,
sounded.
	Akane, in the meantime was not even noticing how heavy the boulder
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 Kasumi's eye. 
He was wearing a similar outfit to that which 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." 

***

	It was now night at the Tendo home, the only place in the world
that taught the secrets of the art of Indiscriminate Grappling, and a
place where a rather unusual conversation was now taking place.
	They were seated for supper, the three Tendo girls on one side of
the table opposite a man in his forties wearing a white gi and a young man
with dark black hair wearing a Chinese outfit that consisted of a dark red
top and pants.  The girls looked nervously over at the pair, unsure what
to make of them or the statement that the young man was named Ranma.  It
was impossible that this was the same girl with the guardian Panda.
	Of course, supper had started a little bit late.
	It had taken a while, because Akane had to calm down and finish
her bath and everyone had eaten while the explanations, at least the basic
ones were held over dinner.  Kasumi, Nabiki, and Akane had been stunned
silent over the whole thing, with Akane looking as though she had been
deeply betrayed.  For most of the meal there were uncomfortable silences,
and disbelieving stares at the young man sitting across the table from
them.
	Ranma, for his part, was absolutely embarrassed, keeping to
himself, and trying to avoid the accusatory glare that Akane kept throwing
his way.  He already felt guilty enough and now, the only friend he had
made in years, in fact the only friend he had, was angry at him.  He
couldn't really blame her however, she had good reason, thanks to his
secret which had made an embarrassing situation earlier in the day that
much worse.
	After supper, they left the table and sat facing one another
again, Soun acting as an intermediary between his daughters and his
friend.  "I'll explain it once again.  This is my old friend and training
partner..."
	Genma took over, "Saotome Genma.  And this is my son..."
	Ranma then took over from him, "Saotome Ranma." 

An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2:

Chapter Two:

Will the real Ranma please...

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,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, and Hinako Sensei are copyright 1987,
1996 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Morisato Keiko, and Natsume Sayoko are copyright 1996 by Ichinohei Hitomi

Publishing rights:

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

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	Akane was having none of it, she was extremely embarrassed, very
angry and was feeling very betrayed.  How, could the girl she had spent
the afternoon with, the girl who she had shared thing with, things that
she wouldn't have told a boy do this to her.  How could Ranma turn out to
be a boy!
	Ranma for his part was staring at Akane, not knowing what to say
or what to do.  She was rather cute, wearing that pink night gown, but
they way she was staring at him, the way she had reacted, he knew that she
felt like he was the scum of the earth.
	Nabiki started into the questions, not being as angry as Akane,
but a little more level headed.  She was still incensed at having been
fooled twice in one day.  First by thinking the girl who had shown up
earlier was a boy, when she wasn't and now by this boy claiming to be that
same girl.  "What is this all about?"
	Kasumi had the same questions in her head, but for different
reasons.  She could see from the look in Ranma's eyes that he wasn't
interested in her, and could also see that there was already some sort of
connection between him and Akane.  Also from the looks of things, Nabiki
would not have anything to do with him if she could help it.  More likely
her sister would be waiting for some chance to get vengeance for what she
would consider a huge betrayal of honour.  "Are you really her?" she
questioned, trying to think of what could be done, "Are you really that
same girl?"
	Genma had been contemplating how to answer that question all
night.  While his usual habit was to avoid, prevaricate, and generally
rewrite situations to his own advantage, in this case he felt it necessary
to tell the truth.  But he still had a problem with believability. 
"Hhhhmmmmm....Where should I begin?"  He stated as he put a finger to his
forehead.
	He suddenly said "I know!", quickly turned and grabbed Ranma
tossing him towards the fish pond.
	Soun had watched this dispassionately, knowing what would happen
and knowing that there was nothing to be done for it.  His daughters had
to know the full situation, and that meant that they had to see a dramatic
demonstration.  If only the fickleness of the Kami could be understood.
	Ranma was only concerned about the fact that he was headed face
first into a pond of cold water.  "Hey!"
	He never got the chance to say anything more as he splashed into
the surface of the water and sank out of site.  The courtyard was silent
for a few moments before it's peace was broken once again.  Out of the
fountain, came the Ranma the girls had first been introduced to.  An
extremely angry Ranma who had water coming down in a stream from her hair
which was now highlighted with a red tinge.  "What the HELL do you think
you're doing?!"
	Akane stared, unable to say anything, unable to do anything.
	Nabiki looked at the girl with a question in her eyes.  Maybe
there was something that could be done.  Not marriage, she wasn't a
lesbian, but perhaps...  "mmm?"
	Kasumi looked on, her eyes going a bit wide as she stated the
obvious, her mind wondering how she could begin to resolve the situation
and keep everyone happy.  "Now he's a girl!"
	Genma could hardly keep in his feelings, his shame at what had
happened to his son.  Standing up and walking to the edge of the pond, he
looked on, tears streaming from his eyes as he thought of the curse which
had changed their lives, "That this should happen to my own son.  It's so
humiliating, so very humiliating!"
	Of course, he shouldn't have said that with a wet Ranma around.
	Ranma had climbed out of the pool obviously very, very angry and
very, very wet.  As far as she was concerned, the reason that she was now
a girl, in fact the only reason that she became a girl in the first place
was because of her father.  Her idiotic, unthinking, stupid, father.  Not
saying a word, Ranma went behind her father and kicked him deep into the
middle of the pond.
	The three girls looked on, quite shocked, as Genma also
disappeared beneath the water, somehow suspecting what would happen, but
hoping that it wouldn't.
	Ranma waited at the edge of the pond until the giant Panda, which
everyone had earlier assumed was her guardian rose out of the water, the
pants having fallen off and the top having split open.  "Who are _you_ to
talk?" she questioned, her face a mask of grim rage at what was going on.
	Kasumi was the only one of the girls who could see past the
obvious shock of the shape changing abilities of their guests.  She had to
think, start to make plans and formulate possible ways to keep peace in
the house.  If there was anything that she would not allow, it was the
peace of her home to be disrupted, or at least make it seem as though it
wasn't disrupted.  To do that, she had to have some information.  "Father? 
Why are you friends with them?"
	Soun for his part was nervous as to how to answer that question. 
No doubt it was a good one, and there was also no doubt that his daughter
was correct in a way, but Genma was more than a friend to Soun.  To him,
Genma was more like his brother given all the trial they had faced
together, including one which made everything else pale in comparison. 
"They were not like this before daughter.  Not before they went to China,
and undertook a terrifying training exercise in a place that has been
shrouded in mystery.
	Kasumi shook her head.  Everyone she knew seemed to do martial
arts of some type or another, and they all had this fascination with
finding out all sorts of obscure information, sometimes to their own
detriment.  "Well, we should let them change back, especially if they are
going to tell us what happened."
	Soun smiled slightly as he nodded, "You are correct about that." 

***

	Genma kneeled in front of the Tendo's knowing that he would have
to explain his actions to a far more critical audience than he had
expected.  His voice began the tale, a strong voice, one not filled with a
lot of emotion, and one not filled with pride, "It all began two fateful
weeks ago when we were training in China.  We came across a legend
describing a training ground for martial artists known as Jusenkyo."
	"At the time, we didn't know exactly what we were getting into, so
we hired a guide, a man who had left himself in the days of Mao and went
to the training ground, and to find out what could be learned there." 

***

	The guide, an old man with a bald head hiked up the hidden trail
leading to the forbidden training grounds.  He was wearing a brown 'Mao'
outfit that had been popular with the Chinese during the 'Cultural
Revolution' in which China had either killed, jailed, or exiled their best
doctors and scientist, knowing that their dictatorship would never survive
if the people had an education.
	He had lived in this area all of his life, the remoteness meaning
that he and others could escape the eyes of Beijing.  Here and there,
hidden in the mountains, were the legendary 'wise men'.  People who had
hidden themselves and their books, documents, and papers during the great
purge.
	He himself was one, being not only the guide, but the caretaker of
Jusenkyo.  Looking back, he noted the two.  Like others who had come here
before them, they were martial artist.  People who had come to the
accursed area in search of knowledge or power.  Power which was hidden
away and could never truly be released without dire consequences, and
others had learned.
	As they rounded the bend, he turned to his clients and pointed out
to the various bamboo poles stuck in what seemed to be hundreds of pools
that littered the floor of the valley.  "Here sir.  This is the legendary
training ground known as Jusenkyo."
	Genma looked out at all of the pools, seeing nothing that special
as had been advertised by that hard to find guide book.  His face
hardened, they had made the journey here barefoot as usual in order to
train, and train they were, no mater the state of the training area.  "Are
you prepared, Ranma?"
	Ranma looked on, not really impressed by the area, and seeing only
the small bits of ground, the bamboo poles of varying length ranging from
about five feet to twenty feet in height.  Not really something to be
worried about when the Saotome School of Indiscriminate Grappling based
most of it's moves on leaping and aerial abilities.  "This place isn't so
great."
	They took off their backpacks and placed them aside as the guide
looked out at the pools, contemplating all that was there.  "You are very
strange one, true sir?  This place very dangerous to use.  No one use
now."
	The guide spread his hands out, showing the entire valley, a
valley that he knew much more about than he wanted to know.  "Is more than
one hundred springs here and each one have it own legend that very
tragic."
	At that moment, Genma had gotten tired of listening to the old
man.  Although he might know the legends, and that would be useful, it was
obvious that this place was not dangerous.  The bamboo poles were fresh,
just striped not too long ago or they would have rotted from the water and
cracked in the winter.  He leapt up towards a pole that was approximately
ten feet above the ground.  "Ranma, follow me."
	Ranma lost no time in following his father, and tightening his
belt in mid air.  They each landed upon one of the longer poles that were
situated in the pools, some only having one, others having as many as ten
depending on the pools size.  Ranma was calm, watchful and waiting,
wondering what his father had in mind in bringing him to this place. 
Other than practicing good balance and judgment, there would be nothing
really new here for him to learn.
	The guide grew scared as he saw what the two were doing.  It was
unheard of for a visitor to these training ground not to listen to the
tales of the pools before deciding weather or not to attempt to cross the
valley on top of the poles, each trying to prevent the other from getting
to the other side.  There was much danger here, danger the two artist, the
two idiots would soon find out about if they did this.  "Aaahhhh!  Sir,
what you doing?"
	He wished the travelers had been able to speak Mandarin as he was
only able to speak a little of the Japanese language.
	Genma landed in a crane stance, his face immediately going into
battle mode, hiding his feelings and his abilities.  In this case, both
were going to advertise their movements to the other, there was no help
for that, but what they could do, and what they would do was minimize
their patterns once airborne.  "I will not go easy on you, my son."
	Ranma had landed in the beetle pincers position.  It was not
really designed for one footed combat, but it was easy to hold and also a
classical defense towards the Crane attack.  Using the 'pincer' he could
easily use the strength of the crane against the attacker.  "That's how I
want it father.  I wouldn't have it any other way."
	The guide now was trying desperately to get the attention of the
two guest as they started for each other.  They were not even going to try
to get to the other side of the pools, they were going to fight above
them!  Such foolishness!  He had to try one last time.  "Please sir!  Very
bad if you fall in spring!"
	He was too late.
	The two of them had leapt towards one another, Genma changing his
basic crane stance in mid-air to that of the hawk, hoping to throw the boy
off.  He went in at a low trajectory, going for speed, not stealth.
	Instead of doing the expected, which would have been to change his
stance, Ranma leapt more up than forward, waiting for the attack that he
knew his father would use.
	Genma shouted out what he was going to do, and switched his attack
in mid- flight to a frontal side kick with his legs.
	Ranma twisted his body, using his center of gravity as the
rotational point to point the pincers to the ground, taking advantage of
his father by using his foreleg as a solid surface.  He pushed up and
flipped around, his father unintentionally allowing him to stay in the air
much longer, and using that, then kicked Genma in the back straight down
into a pool.  Ranma landed back on the same pole he had started from,
while Genma had landed, face first, in the water.  "Gotcha!"
	Ranma steadied himself as the pole he was standing on shook,
making minute adjustments in his balance.  He looked down into the pool,
wondering where his father was.  It was unlike him to be taking so long,
he knew his father to be an excellent swimmer.  "Father?  What's wrong? 
Are we done already?"
	All that answered him was a gurgling sound and a few burbles as
air rose from the pool.  Ranma was starting to get worried.  It hadn't
happened before, but if his father had hit his head on a rock at the
bottom of the pool, he could be unconscious and drowning.  He was just
about to jump in to look for his father when the pool erupted in a burst
of water.
	What came out of the pool was completely unexpected.  There was a
Giant Panda, one of the symbols of China and one of the great gentle
creatures of the world.  On one ear dangled the glasses that the elder
Saotome usually wore, obviously because the head was now shaped
differently.  Genma's jacket was also on the Panda, much too small for the
creatures chest and body, although there was no sign of the pants.
	Needless to say Ranma was not taking it well.  After his initial
scream of surprise, his eyes opened wide, and he pointed at the Panda who
had taken a stance on it's back paw, going into what seemed like a praying
mantis position.  Needless to say he was almost completely speechless. 
"W-who... wh.. what... wh.. why...?"
	The guide looked up, having expected this from the way the two had
reacted and attempted to tell the young man what was going on.  It wasn't
easy, as this was the first time that he had seen someone with one of the
animal forms actually mimic a human posture.  "That is Shonmaoniichuan,
the spring of the drowned Panda.  A very tragic tale that.  Tragic legend
of Giant Panda that drowned there two thousand year ago.  Now whoever fall
in spring take body of Panda!"
	Ranma was startled.  In all of his life, in all of his training,
he had never heard of something like this.  Sure there were legends,
growing up in Asia you got used to hearing a lot of them, but they could
be real, could they?  Not that it really mattered much at the moment. 
Ranma's brain wasn't working properly, or at least not properly as in
regards to this situation.
	"Oh no!" he muttered as he looked in disbelief at the animal that
used to be his father, fear now permeating his entire being.  It was
terrifying, and the worst part was that the elder Saotome hadn't noticed
anything.  Ranma jumped as the Panda flew towards him.  "Wait a minute!"
	Genma hadn't really realized what had happened as of yet.  True
his glasses had fallen off, but that was to be expected in a fight.  What
had been unexpected was the fact that his student, his son had been able
to defeat him on the first pass.  It should not have been possible, at
least not here.  What was worse, not that the defeat was over, Ranma
wasn't even paying attention!
	Anger continued to build in the Panda as it wanted, not only some
revenge for being shown up like that, but also to teach the boy never to
let down his guard.  If he did that when he was faced with a real foe, he
would die.  Genma attacked, not hearing what the guide had said, nor to
what Ranma was saying.  Besides, the words sounded a bit faint and sort of
distorted, no doubt from the mud at the bottom of the pond.
	Ranma avoided his fathers strikes as much as he could, given his
brain was almost completely locked at the moment.  It was a good thing
that his body was reacting on automatic, because he would have surely been
tossed into a pool.  Avoiding a strike that barely grazed his chest, he
exclaimed loudly, "You never said anything about tr--"
	Genma never allowed his son to finish what he was saying, being
more concerned with trying to knock Ranma into a pool.  He succeeded in
knocking Ranma's back and the boy went flying into one of the nearby
pools.  So concentrated on wining, he failed to see the boys terrified
face as he flew towards a nearby pool.
	Ranma hit the pool with a huge splash, not hearing the guide.  He
was more concerned with what would happen to him, what would go on, what
type of beast would he become?  He felt a ripple as his body started to
change, and he struggled towards the surface...
	The guide looked on with horror, as the young man was knocked into
one of the pools that he knew much about.  It was a pool that had been
used quite a lot, one which a certain people considered a reward while
others considered it a punishment.  "Noooooo!  Not Nyanniichuan, the
spring of the drowned girl!"
	He trembled as he looked on wondering how the young person would
react to his...or rather her new body.  "There is tragic story of this
pool.  Very tragic, of young girl who drown in spring one thousand five
hundred year ago.  Now whoever fall in that spring..."
	Ranma finally burst to the surface of the pool, already suspecting
what had happened.  As soon as he burst from the water, he pulled his gi
open, and noticed his breast, he took in a breath of air, a confused sound
coming from him as he heard, "...take body of young girl.  You see what I
mean?" 

***

	"...And so that is our tragic story."
	Nabiki looked on, having heard the entire story and was bored. 
However, there was something nagging at her, especially since the father
was a fool.  She'd have to take a look at the insurance forms in the
morning, especially if these two were going to be living here.
	Akane had her eyes open.  She believed the story, and was now
feeling a little bit sorry for what Ranma had to go through.  It was no
wonder he had been so shy earlier, having to learn in two weeks what most
girls learn in a lifetime.  Akane wondered how Ranma had kept from going
insane.
	Kasumi was the one who's face contained a look of slight horror,
and she quickly hid the pity that she felt for Ranma, seeing that he would
not accept the emotions she had.  It was a mistake, a terrible mistake,
but the child would have to learn to live with it.  His father on the
other hand deserved to be taken in hand for this.  Unfortunately he was
still a guest, which meant Kasumi had to try to stay on her best behavior
while he was there.
	The sound of the wind chime broke the utter silence that had
encased the room, and Soun, a bit of perspiration showing on his forehead
said, "Jusenkyo.  The legendary ground of accursed springs.  It's true
secret, it's true mystery and horror have always been shrouded in mystery,
but now..."
	Ranma's face kept getting angrier and angrier as it continued to
throughout the entire story.  Before Jusenkyo he had a life.  Admittedly
not much of one, but a life none the less.  He had traveled, honed his
skills, and grew to love the honourable way of life that he led.  During
the past two weeks however, he had learned to be female most of the time,
to have to escape, steal, and survive.  He felt so much weaker, almost
helpless, and the fact that his father had led them to..."Whaddaya mean,
'horror'?"
	Ranma couldn't take it any longer, he had to do something,
_anything_ to get rid of that anger.  While he couldn't, and wouldn't,
actually hurt his father, he could attempt to teach the old fool a lesson
he wouldn't readily forget.  "Hey old man," he said menacingly as he spun
around to face his father, grabbing the elder Saotome by the front of his
gi, "what's the idea of dragging me to a place like that?"
	Genma in the meantime had expected something like this to happen. 
Since they had arrived at the Tendo home, Ranma had been too calm, too
Quiet.  It wasn't normal for his child, and given what they had gone
through during the past couple of weeks, it was definitely out of
character for him.  Calmly he grabbed Ranma's wrist and threw the boy once
more into the pond.
	He waited until the girl came up for air before giving a speech. 
"You sound like a woman, so be one!  Were you not prepared and sworn to
give up your life if your training required it?"
	Ranma looked down into the pool and growled low, noticing a
firepail nearby.  Taking it and filling it with water, she replied, "My
life yes."  She quickly sprayed the water across her father changing him
into a Panda.  "MY GENDER IS ANOTHER MATTER ENTIRELY!"
	The two started fighting in front of the Tendo's blow after blow
being exchanged at a high speed.  Ranma didn't really care anymore.  She
had to express the frustrations she felt ever since her father had done
this to her.
	The frustrations that Soun had been feeling, his guilt over his
eldest daughters situation, the fact that things were going so horribly
wrong was taking it's toll on his emotional stability.  He started to sob,
almost uncontrollably, "What a tragedy!"
	Kasumi on the other hand had truly reached her limit.  The way
that young girl was treated by her father was criminal.  She felt the urge
to rush in and help the girl, to hit that Mr. Saotome over the head hard. 
It may have been part of training, but what he was now doing was going
much too far.  Didn't he realize how psychologically delicate his daughter
now was?  "STOP THAT!"
	She jumped forward and grabbed the Panda's foreleg as it grabbed
Ranma.  Kasumi had only one over-ridding thought, to save this child from
a beating.  She was starting to feel something that she did not normally
feel towards anyone.  Hatred towards another living thing.  Angrily she
started into him, "You just went _too_ _far_, Saotome-san!"
	Nabiki had gotten up and was looking at the Panda from the other
side.  Her elder sister was not one to fight very much, and Akane was
still too stunned to participate.  Besides, even if she couldn't stop the
Panda immediately, by being a witness she could certainly do something to
stop him latter on.  "Yeah!", she snarled out at Genma, "Even for Martial
Arts training, that's going much too far."
	Kasumi stared into the face of the Panda, a face that had no
remorse, nothing but hardness in it's eyes.  It had stopped attacking,
true, but it still didn't understand how everything was affecting the
child in it's paw.  She screamed, 'WHAT _EVER_ MADE YOU DO SOMETHING SO
DANGEROUS?!?"
	The Panda shifted slightly, not used to the tone of voice being
used against it.  In shifting, the pants that it had been wearing fell
down a bit further and a magazine-like book fell out.
	Nabiki grabbed it immediately, looking at the front cover, while
Kasumi observed over her shoulder.
	Kasumi immediately said, "It's Chinese.  A map and a guide book of
some type."
	Nabiki immediately grew a little more intense as she started
reading the cover.  It was a guidebook all right, to unused places, and on
the cover was, "Something about...'training grounds'."
	Kasumi gently took the book out of the hands of her younger
sister, the pieces starting to fit into place and a plan starting to form. 
If it was to work, she would have to act in a way that would fool everyone
as to her true intentions.  She had to work to try and make Ranma accept
herself for who she was and come to terms with this change.  She took
control of her emotions, and said calmly, "No wonder, you can't read
Chinese can you?"
	The Panda signaled that she was correct while Ranma took the
opportunity to hit him hard on the side of his head.
	Soun took the opportunity to remove the pot of water from the
hibachi and poured it over the Panda's head, thinking of the fact that
both of them returned to their original forms after taking a bath, "So,
when covered with hot water you return to your human form."
	A burned Genma replied, "Hot, not boiling!"
	Soun wasn't listening, thinking of some way to salvage this
situation, and he had an idea, that is if he could convince the children
to accept it.  He turned and held Ranma's forearm.  "When covered with
cold water, you turn into a girl, but hot water turns you back into a
boy."  He stated as he tried to pour the still boiling water over Ranma.
	Ranma jumped back quickly, her anger still not dissipated, but
trying to now understand what was going on.  "Hey what are you trying to
do?  Burn me?"
	Soun started to laugh, and patted Ranma on the shoulder,
completely confusing the young girl.  "No problem!  Your situation is not
so terrible after all!"
	Ranma just looked at him as if he were crazy.
	Soun turned her around and pointed to his daughters, "My
daughters; Kasumi, age nineteen, Nabiki, age seventeen, and Akane, age
sixteen.  Choose the one you wish.  She is now your fiancee."
	Ranma just stood there confused.  Could he really be serious? 
Having her accept an engagement when she was also a girl?  It was crazy!
	Kasumi thought quickly.  It was obvious there could never be
anything between her and Ranma.  Besides, she felt protective of the girl,
and it would not be wise to counsel Ranma while being engaged to each
other.  She couldn't let Nabiki get her hands on the child either.  Her
little sister had some interesting ideas when it came to revenge over
points of honour.  No, the best choice was her youngest sibling.  They
were about the same age, and they already had a connection.  "Oh.  He
wants Akane."
	Nabiki smiled suddenly, agreeing completely with her elder sister. 
Although she had wanted to be the one engaged, she wasn't about to marry
someone with whom she could conduct a lesbian relationship with.  It just
wasn't her way.  Besides, if what she suspected about her younger sister
was correct, then Akane would actually be pleased with a girl as a
fiancee.  "Oh definitely!"
	Akane looked startled.  Everyone was making a decision about her
life but her.  It was crazy!  "You must be joking!  Why would I be..."
	Nabiki cut her off, trying to hint at what she suspected, "Well,
you hate boys, don't you?"
	Kasumi picked up on that line of inquiry, smiling in her nicest
way.  She would definitely need to meditate later in the evening.  "You're
in luck.  He's half girl."
	Akane was flabbergasted.  Admittedly she didn't like boys,
although there was someone she liked, and she got along much better with
the girls, especially since they weren't possible love interests, but to
hear her sisters talk.  "Me?  Marry that hentai?!  Never!"
	Ranma had kept fairly quiet up to now.  She had been too stunned
to even try to say or do anything, but to hear someone she considered a
friend say that she was a hentai was going too far.  She walked in front
of Akane, "Whaddaya mean hentai??"
	Akane for her part just looked at Ranma, angry at being tricked. 
"You looked at my body hentai!"
	"Hold it!  you walked in on me!"
	"It's different when a girl sees a boy!"
	They stopped their argument as they noticed their fathers laughing
to one side."
	"They're already a perfect couple.  Already arguing!"
	Akane was about to say something to her father about interfering
in a fight when Ranma suddenly grabbed her arm.  "Com'on.  Lets go talk in
a place a little more private."
	As she was being pulled out to the Dojo, Akane could here Kasumi
saying, "Would the two of you care for more beer?" 

***

	Ranma pulled Akane into the Dojo, looking back at their fathers
who were drinking and congratulating each other.  She would like nothing
better to do at that moment that beat the two of them up.  Imagine, trying
to get her married when she wasn't even prepared for it!  She turned to
Akane...
	Who was waiting for Ranma to turn around.  Her face had become one
of anger, the days events catching up to her.  She was about to hit the
shorter girl when she saw the anger in Ranma's eyes, as well as the tears
beginning to well up.  The pig-tailed girl was suffering as well, although
she was trying to hide it.  "Want to talk about it?"
	Ranma smiled a little smile, although it was forced and gestured
for the couches that they had been sitting on earlier in the day.  "I'm
sorry abut everything Akane.  You didn't do anything wrong in the
washroom, after all, you were expecting another girl."
	Akane took a seat, indicating that Ranma should sit next to her,
"True.  But I should have still knocked first.  It might have prevented a
bit of embarrassment for both of us."
	Ranma snorted at that, seeing the humour in the situation,
"Somehow, I think it would have turned out the same, given I wouldn't have
been able to get out of the tub in time."
	"Well, what do you think we should do?"
	"I donno.  I mean, it's not that I don't like you, but we just met,
and I want to be your friend more than I want to be your fiancee."
	Akane looked over at Ranma, noticing the slumped shoulders, "You
haven't had too many friends have you?"
	That caused Ranma to chuckle in a low, almost self-pitying way. 
"No.  Not really.  Besides you, I think I've only had one friend in my
entire life, although I can't remember that too clearly.  He was a nice
guy however.  I wonder what he would say about me now."
	Akane giggled impishly, "Well, he'd probably say something about
how cute you are now."
	Ranma giggled as well, calming down, and beginning to relax. 
"True.  In any case, I traveled around too much to have friends. 
Acquaintances yes, friends no.  What about you?"
	"Well, I've got lots of friends, although not among the boys. 
Around here they're much too troublesome.  I mean, there are some nice
boys, but they all have this overbearing macho attitude that turns me
cold."
	Ranma rolled her eyes.  "Huh!  Then you won't think too much of me
then, all I've had is my father as a person to really look up to, and now
I don't think that was such a good role model."
	Akane frowned a bit, "It was only a mistake Ranma, I'm sure
something could be done.  I mean, if magic exists to change you into a
girl, I'm sure some sort of magic exists to make you male again."
	"Do you really think so Akane?"
	Akane held Ranma's hand.  "I'm sure of it.  Now stop moping and
lets think of a way out of this and still allowing us to stay friends."
	"I'm to tired to think," Ranma replied, "besides, the last two
weeks have been a confusing blur."
	Akane frowned a bit, "What can we do..."
	Ranma leaned back on the cushions, "Besides, even with this curse,
our parents are crazy enough to keep us engaged."
	Akane smiled suddenly, "Ranma, I've got an idea, and it might make
it easier for you as well."
	Ranma looked up at Akane, "What is it?"
	"Well, it would require you..." 

***

	"WHAAATTTT!"
	Everyone in the main room turned towards the dojo, Soun and Genma
about to go out their when Kasumi diverted their attention, "Here you go! 
More beer and Sake!"
	No more sound was heard coming from the dojo, so the two men went
back to their drinking.
	Nabiki was looking at the guidebook in the meantime.  Her studies
on economics and business required her to take several forms of Chinese
writing, and what she was reading was interesting.  If anything, some of
the information contained within would be profitable, at least if she
could find some way to exploit it.  Besides, she didn't quite trust
'uncle' Saotome yet, as their father insisted they call Genma.
	Kasumi was glad that things were going so well.  She had fully
expected a blow up to take place, given how angry the children were.  It
was fortunate that they were talking, and now it was time to come up with
a way to make Ranma more comfortable, not only at home, but with life in
general.  The girl had certainly spent too much time with her father, and
she was not too glad of that.  There was so much that she would have to
teach her.
	Everyone looked up as Ranma and Akane came back into the house
holding hands and giggling.  Seeing their family, they sobered up and then
sat down at the table.
	Akane looked around, "We've decided to keep the engagement, at
least for now, but there are certain conditions."
	Soun and Genma nodded.  It wasn't usual, but not unexpected.
	Ranma turned to the two of them, "One:  I get my own room, and
that means that I do not share that room with my father."
	"Two:  If Ranma and I are engaged, we are to conduct the engagement
as we see fit, without interference from you."
	"Three:  We have the final say on wether or not we get married, or
when."
	"Four:  If we decide to do something, it's our decision, not yours
to influence or change."
	"Five:  If Akane and I do get married, it will be after we finish
school."
	"Six:  Ranma gets to stay here for the next five years, even if we
throw his father out."
	They turned to each other and nodded and said together, "That's
it.  Accept it or the engagement is over."
	Soun was so-so on the terms.  There seemed to be something wrong
with them that he couldn't figure out, other than the part about Genma. 
"How about we take a couple of days to think it over?"
	Kasumi wasn't about to let the two old men disrupt the children's
lives more than absolutely necessary.  She had too much work to do, "Well,
they are perfectly reasonable requests father.  I don't think it's asking
too much."
	Ranma frown as well, "And the offer is only good for the next
three minutes."
	Genma sighed, "I will agree to those terms."
	Soun looked uneasy but also agreed.
	The two girls looked at each other.  They had prepared for an
argument so were pleasantly surprised that things had gone so easy.  Part
one of their plan was a success. 


***

	Monday morning.
	Usually mornings are a time to be happy, to glory in the renewal
of the heat and light that brings life to the planet, warms the skin, and
strength to the heart.  It is time to look above, and see the birds
trilling in concert, making nature all that more amazing for some of it to
have survived in the jungle of concrete and the sea of pollution that was
the modern city of Tokyo.  The renewal of life should have been what
mattered most.
	It was a little different for people in the Nerima district
however.
	Here, especially for those who lived around or near Furinkan High,
or had sons or daughters going there, it was a time to pray to the Kami
for the deliverance of souls and property.
	Since the start of the school year, the number of disturbances
coming from that school had been growing until there was a constant fight
going on every morning.  Most people tried to live with it, being Asian,
and being Japanese meant that one had to accept all things, since that
Karma was involved.  It did not help to try to change Karma, it would
eventually affect you in ways worse than could be imagined.
	Of course, given that almost every child always wanted to go to
school, this was good.  Given that Japanese are extremely stubborn when
they get an idea in their head, it was extremely bad.  For the parents of
boys, it was a nightmare.
	While the boys that were going to go to school started to prepare
themselves mentally and physically, the girls were rushing to finish up
everything they could in order to get a good viewpoint for the morning
festivities.  Mondays were always the days when the worst of the fighting
took place, all thanks to Kuno Tatewaki. 

An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2: 

Chapter Three:

How did I let myself be...

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,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, Tofu-Sensei and Hinako Sensei are
copyright 1987, 1996 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Morisato Keiko, and Natsume Sayoko are copyright 1996 by Ichinohei Hitomi

Publishing rights:

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

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	At the Tendo School of Indiscriminate Grappling, there were two
people who had woken up before the rest of the household.
	Akane and Ranma were still having fun, after having spent most of
the night in Ranma's new room giggling quietly, as they made plans and
decided what to do.  It was amazing, but everyone else had left them alone
after their fathers had given into their agreement, the old men
celebrating all into the night, congratulating each other on the success
of the engagement.  For them it was time to initiate step two in their
plan.
	"Are you sure this will work?"  Ranma whispered to Akane, looking
into the full length mirror in the Tendo girl's room.
	"It should Ranma," Akane whispered back, "After all, if this works,
the engagement should be dissolved by our fathers and we'll still be able
to remain friends."
	"I'm still not sure I should be doing this, or even considering
this."  Ranma muttered.
	Akane looked at Ranma, "Do you want to be traveling around again? 
Going from place to place without really knowing anyone?"
	Ranma sighed, "No.  This is the first time I'll have a...a place
where I know I don't have to leave in a little while.  It..It's nice to
think that."
	Akane smirked.  "Then don't dawdle.  We've got a lot to do and it
will be impossible to get done if our fathers catch us at this."
	Sighing, Ranma followed Akane out of her room, grabbing the
briefcase on the way out.  "It's just that I'm uncomfortable wearing girls
clothes..." 

***

	Ranma began walking on the fence as they started towards the
restaurant, determined to have some time to themselves without any of
their family around.  "So, what's the first thing we have to do?  Won't
changing the registration be difficult?"
	Akane smiled, looking up at the pig-tailed girl and amazed at her
balance.  "Not really, we have to visit the doctor first and get you a
full check up."
	Ranma shrugged, "That's all?  It doesn't sound all that
difficult."
	Akane smiled to herself, wondering how much Ranma actually knew
about the differences between boys and girls.  True she had originally
started out as a boy, but she seemed extremely ignorant of certain facts
of life.  Of course, given that she hadn't even been a girl for a month
yet might have something to do with it.  Ranma would learn a lot about a
physical as a girl this morning.  Boy was she ever in for a surprise. 
"Well, I also have to call the school and arrange for them to tell the
store to have a few school uniforms ready for you, and we have to do some
shopping and other things this morning, but that's about all."
	Shrugging her shoulders, Ranma leapt down beside Akane and they
walked over to the restaurant.  "I have a few questions about that Akane. 
The most important one being are there uniforms with pants?"
	Akane looked at Ranma for a second.  "What type of school did you
go to before to ask a question like that?"
	Ranma looked back at Akane.  "An all boys school.  Why?"
	Akane's expression became one of almost intense surprise, and
shock.  "You mean you've never been to an ordinary school?" 

***

	Nabiki had woken up surly.  If it wasn't for her father and uncle,
not to mention the two giggling idiots, she would have had a long lovely
sleep.  As it was, she was in no mood to face what had happened.  At least
with Akane taken, there might be a chance that some of the boys in school
would look at her.  Examining herself in the mirror, she fixed up some
spots on the makeup she was wearing.  It was almost invisible, but the
school wouldn't allow the students to wear too much.
	Sighing a bit, she grabbed her briefcase and went downstairs to
get breakfast.  She was a little surprised to see that Kasumi and her were
the only ones there.  "Where's Akane and Ranma?"
	Kasumi smiled, "Oh, they already left for school.  Their note said
that they were eating out."
	Nabiki rolled her eyes, "One day, and they've already started
dating.  I was sure that the two of them would have been fighting it out
somewhere by now."  She then narrowed her eyes in thought, "Although
getting out of the house and to the school before the boys can gather is a
good idea.
	Kasumi smiled innocently, "Before what boys gather Nabiki-chan?"
	Nabiki stared at Kasumi, she knew how violent Akane could get, and
the fact that she complained about boys all the time.  Hadn't she been
told about the fights every morning?  "Uh...Nothing.  It's just that the
boys have been trying to interest Akane in them for some time now.  With
Akane having a fiancee however, I think that might calm down some."
	Kasumi made a show of putting on a small frown, "I should hope so! 
it isn't seemly for an engaged woman to be pursued by suitors."
	Nabiki looked at Kasumi, not knowing what to make of this. 
"Ahh...Right Oneechan.  I'm sure it will calm down."
	Kasumi turned and went back to the kitchen, smiling at herself. 
There, one thought planted, and knowing Nabiki, she would unconsciously
carryout her wishes concerning Akane.  Although Nabiki thought Kasumi was
oblivious or ignorant to things around her, it was an act she put on to
make sure that everyone would be able to be happy.  While she could play
the wise elder sister, the ignorant act happened to be one where she could
easily influence others concerning important matters.  After all, Kasumi
was quite aware of all the manipulations that Nabiki pulled to supplement
the income from the dojo. 

***

	Akane was sitting across from a rather angry Ranma, who was
grumbling a lot while eating her meal.  "Ranma , it's not that bad.  After
all, you have to get used to wearing skirts and dresses if you're going to
be living as a girl."
	Ranma shot a look at Akane that could have drilled through
concrete.  "Oh yeah.  Sure!  Wonderful!  I have to wear a stupid dress to
pull this off.  First I lose my manhood, get stuck in an engagement I
don't want, and now I have to look like a cute girl who's all sweet and
innocent."  She grumbled a bit more.  "Why didn't you tell me this last
night?"
	Akane giggled, "I told you last night that you would be
impersonating and learning how to be a girl in order for our plan to work. 
After all, our parents can't force two girls to marry."
	Ranma groused a bit louder, "I think I'd almost be willing to
accept the engagement if that is what I have to do to get out of it."
	Amused, Akane looked at what Ranma was wearing.  The young
pig-tailed girl had put on an oversized Chinese shirt with cloth buttons
and a black ankle tied pants.  On her arms she had on wrist guards and she
had allowed Akane to add a touch of makeup.  Not much, just some blush and
lipstick, but it was enough to make her face seem more feminine.  It had
taken some convincing to get Ranma to wear even that much however.
	"Look Ranma, you don't want to get a reputation as a tomboy now, do
you?"
	Ranma looked at Akane for a moment, a bit startled at the thought
that she would be considered a tomboy.  After all, she was a boy, or at
least when there was hot water around.  "What's wrong with that?"
	Akane rolled her eyes, "Great!  I'm going to be engaged to a
tomboy!  Do you have any idea how much girls go through to be pretty?"
	Ranma looked at Akane, "Oh com'on, it can't be all that much. 
After all, you hardly did anything different to me other than putting on
that lipstick and powder."
	Akane mused for a second putting a hand under Ranma's chin and
turning her head from side to side, contemplating something. "Not that
much huh?  Now I know you're a tomboy.  Ah well.  I guess we won't be in
school by midmorning like I originally planned."
	Ranma started to get nervous and a bead of sweat started down the
side of her face. 

***

	If one thing could be said of Monday mornings, it was that all the
boys in school arrived at least half an hour before they had to be in
class.  Unfortunately, none of the schools sports, music, theatre, or
other programs had the benefit of this massed male audience.  They were
all waiting for one person to arrive.
	All the girls had also arrived at school early on Mondays as well,
not so that they could have a day off from the boys, but to see them
beaten up, thrown into trees, over the stone wall surrounding the
schoolyard, or otherwise being extremely foolish.
	It was literally a day for the girls.
	Of course, the teachers bemoaned the fact that a lot of their
students were being carried into the school on stretchers at the beginning
of every week.
	As usual for Furinkan, there were boys everywhere in the
schoolyard, waiting for the view of the girl they expected to be coming
down the street that led right to the gates of Furinkan High School. 
Although they didn't know how, that one girl, the strongest, most violent
one had become their icon, their goal in life.  She was the one which all
the boys in school had to defeat, if only to say that they did so.
	It did help that they also thought that she was one of the most
beautiful girls in the school.
	It also didn't matter to them that Tendo Akane stated that she
hated boys, or that she showed an extreme dislike to members of the male
of the species, all that mattered was gaining the chance to ask her out.
	And since none of the boys paid attention to the other girls in
the school, the girls naturally were routing for Akane.
	Unfortunately, they would be disappointed on this particular
morning... 

***

	Akane's mood was slowly changing from good to rotten as a bad
tempered Ranma trailed along behind her.  *If it wasn't one thing with
that girl it's another!* she thought as she was going to Tofu-Sensei's
clinic.  *I need something to snap her out of this.  Imagine!  Thinking
that she's actually a boy.*
	Akane grimaced suddenly, remembering that despite the fact that
Ranma was obviously female now, not more that two hours before she had
been male.  She needed something to make Ranma accept being female, at
least for the next little while.  Besides, as a girl, Ranma seemed to be
less of a threat somehow and more of a friend.
	"Akane, do we have to go looking for new clothes right away?  I
mean, couldn't we wait a few days until a letter from the school arrives
and then go next week?"
	That did it!  She would have to teach that uncute tomboy how to be
more feminine, and if that...Akane smiled suddenly, "Ranma, I bet you're
not up to a challenge."
	Ranma looked at the back of Akane's head, "Up to a challenge?  Of
course I'm up to a challenge.  I can take on anything and anyone and win. 
You saw how I defeated you yesterday in the Dojo!"
	Akane smiled, not turning to Ranma, she HAD read her right.  The
pig-tailed girl was unable to resist a fight or challenge, and that meant
that Ranma would be easy to fool and manipulate.  "Oh, I don't know. 
Martial arts is one thing, it's quite another to have real self control."
	*Not have self control?* Ranma fumed to herself.  *I have self
control, lots of self control, not that an idiot like Akane would realize
that, of course.  She's too concerned with making me into little miss
homemaker in order for us to get out of that damn engagement.  I'll show
her!*
	Ranma stopped, pulling on Akane's hand to stop her as well.  "OK! 
That's it!  Let make a bet right now on how much self control I have!"
	Akane turned to Ranma and frowned slightly, "Well, if you're
sure...I mean I'm bound to win this bet if I make up the terms, and you're
bound to lose.  I don't want any hard feeling between us."
	Ranma grunted, "Oh!  So you're backing out are you?  I don't
believe it, here you say I have no self control, and now you're backing
down from that statement."
	*Gotcha!* Akane thought to herself as she said, "OK then, If I win,
I get to do to you whatever I want for a month!"
	Ranma responded, "And _when_ I win, you'll...you'll...you'll treat
me to a dinner at a restaurant of my choice every Saturday evening for one
month!"  Ranma smirked, *Heh!  I'm sure to win, and I don't want her going
broke.  A little Saotome Style eating should disillusion her from betting
with me again.*
	Akane pretended to narrow her eyes in anger, "You're on!  Here's
the deal, you _dress_ and _act_ as a feminine young girl for one week,
even so far as sleeping and bathing, and I will concede defeat.  If you
fail in _any_ way, you lose.  Agreed or are you backing out before you
begin?"
	Ranma stuck out her hand, "Agreed!"
	Akane shook the shorter girls hand, *Ranma, you'll lose as soon as
Tofu-Sensei begins the main part of the exam...*

***

	"Say Nabiki is Akane sick or something?" one of the girls standing
by the window asked as she looked down into the schoolyard.
	"No, why?"
	"She hasn't shown up yet and beaten up the boys."
	Nabiki smirked.  She had been expecting this, so had not even
bothered going over to the window.  "It's not that surprising, she left
early this morning."
	The girls started to gather around Nabiki's desk, "What happened? 
Did she finally decide to avoid the boys or something?"
	Smiling serenely, Nabiki thought of what would be happening when
the school got hold of the news that her little sister was no longer
available.  All of the boys in the school were going to be disappointed
while all of the girls in the school were going to be happy.  She herself
might be able to finally get a guy interested in her for herself, not what
she could do for him.  "No, she just went out for an early breakfast with
her fiancee."
	"Fiancee!!"
	"When did she get engaged?"
	"Who is he?"
	"Is he cute?"
	"Can he fight since Akane likes to do that?"
	"How old is he?"
	"I thought Akane hated boys?"
	Nabiki chuckled to herself, "One at a time!  I'll answer all your
questions, but you have to remember something.  With Akane taken, that
means that the boys will be able to concentrate on us."
	Several of the girls eyes lit up as they thought of that.  For the
first time since the start of the school year, something might go right
for them.  Despite what happened the year before, this year they hadn't
succeeded in getting any dates.  The boys were either not interested or
too banged up to go anywhere.
	One girl however still wanted her question answered.  "I still
think it's strange.  After all, everyone knows how much your sister hates
boys."
	Nabiki scowled at the girl.  "That's true Kyoko, but she still got
engaged last night."  she smirked suddenly at the thought, "But perhaps
there's something different about this fiancee that she likes."
	Mika looked at Nabiki, "What's so different about her fiancee?"
	"Oh nothing much, although I think that will wait until lunch. 
Besides, you should ask her when you see her, I don't want to give too
many things away."
	"Please Nabiki-Sempai?"
	Nabiki looked at the girls surrounding her desk, "Ok, I'll say
this much about Saotome Ranma.  Ranma is a martial artist of the same type
of school as my family, has been traveling for years, even to China, and
perhaps beyond, and somehow managed to get my sister to agree to marriage
in the space of twenty minutes."
	All the girls in the room started to murmur about what type of man
the 'Ranma' could possibly be.  It was already surprising that Akane had
agreed to get married, but for someone to convince her in twenty minutes? 
He had to be some sort of deity, or as close to one as mortals could get.
	The rumour spread through the school like wildfire... 

***

	Tofu-Sensei looked at the girls who had just walked into his
clinic, immediately recognizing one of them.  "You're in early today
Akane-chan.  What happened, did you get hurt again?"
	Ranma looked at Akane for a second, "Again?  I take it you come
here often."
	Akane blushed slightly, "Umm...Yeah...Sorta...Anyway..."
	Even though Ranma had only been a girl a short time, even she
could notice the expression on Akane's face.  The blush she had was
threatening to spread to her neck, and she was now being extremely shy. 
Looking at the Sensei and then back to Akane, she thought, *So that's who
it is!*
	Akane in the meantime, gathered herself from the shy girl she
usually was around Tofu-Sensei and said, "We came here to get a full
physical exam if you have time Sensei.  Ranma just moved here recently,
and she hasn't been to the doctors in a long time.  I need to stay with
her to be sure she gets things done, as well as making sure that a copy of
this exam goes with her to the school."
	Tofu looked at the two girls.  While he didn't show it, he was a
very experienced martial artist, one whose training had taken a few
unusual turns over the years.  He had not only been trained by his father
in their Dojo, but also but several of the best acupuncturists and
moxibustionist in the trade.  Accordingly, he had also studied the body a
lot more and had become familiar with some of the most unusual sets of
pressure points and techniques that the human body had or could sustain. 
He could also see that while the two of them were not exactly lying, there
was more to it than they were telling.
	"OK, suppose we get you into examining room two.  You can wait out
here Akane-chan until you're needed."
	Akane looked at the Sensei, "Uh...Could I borrow your phone for a
while, I need to talk to the school and inform them that we will be late
for classes."
	"Of course Akane-chan."  He then led the pig tailed girl into the
examining room, "Now young lady, what is your na..."
	Akane was glad that the door had closed behind the Sensei,
especially since she had a lot of feelings for him.  She still didn't know
why she acted like that around him, especially when she already knew that
the Sensei had feelings for her eldest sister.  He liked her, sure, but
only as a little girl, not as a woman.  Still, she could dream...
	Sighing, she lifted the phone and made the call to the school's
administration office that would set everything in motion. 

***

	Furinkan High's secretary was in a rather good mood this
particular morning, considering that the usual team of Emergency Services
Training Personnel that were usually in attendance to assist the schools
medical staff had left without having to attend to a single patient.  It
was wonderful not having to call all those parents with the report that
their son had just been injured for trying to assault a young woman.  That
in itself was rather pleasant, as it meant there was less risk of the
Police Service being called to handle such incidents.
	Not that Police Service had paid much attention to high schools
other than to try to keep down property damage in the past several years.
	It was a surprising, but little known fact outside of Japan that
high schools were some of the most violent places in the country.  It was
not in the way that North Americans thought of danger, considering the
dearth of guns and other weapons of mass destruction, but rather in how
the students took it upon themselves to try to challenge and battle with
one another.  In many places, such attacks could happen without any
warning, although an effort was made so that the opponents could fight at
an equal level of skill.
	It was the way a warrior race, still not quite done with older
forms of honour, survived.
	Of course, the educators did their best to make sure that no
reporters who were not raised in the Japanese way found out about it.  The
few times that it had been found out and reported by the news media from
other countries, it had been dismissed as a complete joke.  That was one
advantage of all the Manga and Anime stories that had finally trickled
into the markets of other countries;  Those countries thought it was a
publicity stunt for a new show or movie.
	<beep>
	Looking towards the phone on her desk, she was surprised to
actually hear it ring for a change.  So often on Mondays, the phones in
the office were tied up as calls were made to the local doctors,
hospitals, and parents.  It was actually _rare_ that someone would phone
the school in the morning.
	"Moshi Moshi!  Furinkan high school."
	"Good morning, Natsume-san.  It's Tendo Akane, and I'm just calling
to inform you that I will be away this morning escorting a new person
living at my house."
	"OK, Akane.  I was wondering why you weren't in school."
	"Umm...Well, I also need to talk with a councilor about her, and
her school record.  She'll be attending the school with me, and after the
exam, I was going to take her to get a few school uniforms."
	"Ok, I'll see if Morisato-Sensei is free.  She should be able to
help you with any problems."
	"Thank you very much."
	"No problem, just a second."  Natsume Sayoko said and put Akane on
hold.  She then pressed a button on the intercom.
	"Moshi Moshi!"
	"Morisato-Sensei, Tendo Akane is on line one for you."
	"Thank you, Natsume-san.  I'll take it right away."
	Sayoko sat back in her chair.  *So that's why it was so quiet this
morning...*

***

	All the boys who had come back in after waiting for Akane to show
up were stunned when they heard what the girls were babbling about.  They
didn't normally listen to what the girls said, most of them not being
interested in talking or learning about peoples feelings, but as soon as
they heard Akane's name mentioned, they became concerned.  Not that their
concern lasted much longer than a few seconds after they heard the news.
	In a rather interesting way, the types of devastation, and the
reactions it provoked throughout the school ranged from good nature to
anger:
	Among the boxers in the school, it was felt that they should have
faced whoever it was that won Akane's heart before he stole her away from
them.
	For the football players, they were cheerful, even good natured
although they privately wished to face a team in order to obliterate them. 
The violence that football fans showed in Europe would have seemed
pleasant by comparison to what they wanted to do.  Of course, they were
too gentlemanly to ever really do that to opponents.
	The Kendo team wasn't so happy about the situation.  While they
did want to go out with Akane, and they had never defeated her, the fact
that she was a martial artist who could face them bare handed was enough
for them to virtually worship her in their own way.  They did wish her the
best, and if someone won her heart, so be it.  Unfortunately, they also
feared the wrath of the Captain of the team.
	Of course, Tatewaki's reaction was not only the most predictable,
but the loudest in the school when he heard about it.  He had already
changed back from his Gi top and Hakama into his school uniform when he
first heard the rumour.  He had asked the girls what they were talking
about, and each one of them refused to answer him.  If he wanted answers,
he would have to go to Nabiki in order to get them.
	He knew, of course, that this might cost him some money, although
he was not very concerned about it at that moment.  If dealing with
Nabiki's habits was the price to pay for getting the necessary
information, he would pay it.  However, just to make sure, he checked his
wallet before he went into class.
	Since he sat next to Nabiki in class, he had no problem in talking
to her.  "Nabiki-chan.  I would speak with you about Akane-chan.  What has
happened to her that she would not show up for school on this day?"
	Nabiki looked over at Kuno and smiled to herself, not that she let
that show on her face.  Kuno was not only somewhat handsome, he was also
rich, his family having transferred much of the money to each succeeding
generation upon engagements and marriages.  Of course, they were also one
of the families that had taken advantage of placing money in Swiss bank
accounts before the current tax laws had gone into effect.  While never
directly owned by the Kuno family in Japan, their overseas fortunes were
quite lucrative.  The proviso being that they were only inheritable
outside of the country.
	That would be something that Nabiki could work with.  Of course,
if she were to have Kuno to herself, then she would need to discourage him
from pursuing Akane, and in that case, Kasumi was right.  "What would you
like to know Kuno-chan?"
	"I would know what has happened to keep her fairness from these
hallowed halls."
	"She got engaged last night."
	"WHHAAATTTT!"  Kuno screamed upon hearing that, "I will brook no
one engaging such a beauty as Akane-chan as long as I am around.  What is
the name of the knave who dares such travesty."
	Nabiki sighed to herself.  She should have expected this, but then
again, they may be more than one way to stop Kuno, especially if Ranma
could fight as well as Akane.  "The name is Saotome Ranma, and I don't
think you can stop he-him from marrying Akane.  Not only did our parents
arrange it, but they agreed to it themselves.  The honour of both families
is at stake."
	Kuno continued, not even hearing what Nabiki had said after
Ranma's name.  "I shall defeat this insect, this one who dares stand in
the way of one willed by the Kami to be greater than other mortals!"
	Nabiki took this in without changing the expression on her face. 
*Perhaps it would be better if I just dealed him out of the family
fortune...*

***

	"Good morning Akane-chan"  Morisato-Sensei said as she prepared
herself for whatever problems may have been happening.  "What can I do for
you this morning?"
	"Sensei, I will be out for the morning settling a new member of my
family into the household.  We are currently at Tofu-Sensei's clinic where
she is undergoing a full examination.  I was wondering if you could
contact the uniform store and inform them that we will be coming in this
morning to pick up a selection of school uniforms for her."
	Morisato Keiko smiled slightly.  Akane, while a bit stubborn, was
a good student and could be allowed this lax.  It wasn't as though she
looked for excuses to skip classes, and she did attempt to do all she
could, despite the problems she had dealing with the boys.  "That would be
fine Akane-chan.  I do need to know the name of this new member of the
household if I am to facsimile a document over to the store."
	"Her name is Saotome Ranma, Sensei."
	"Just a second while I pull up her records.  Is she already
registered with the school?"
	"She should be.  Her records may be a little out of date however as
she has just come back from a rather long training trip."
	Keiko looked at the record that had just popped up on her screen. 
Saotome seemed to be a fair student, good in athletics from the note on
her transcript.  The boys school he was last at...
	"Akane, are you sure Saotome is a girl?"
	"Yes Sensei."
	Keiko checked the system to see if there was a fault at her end,
and then sent to check if there was another Saotome Ranma elsewhere in the
National database, just in case she had received the wrong file. 
Apparently not, because the name was rather unique.  Of course, how many
parents would name their child 'Wild Horse.' "Akane, according to this
record, Ranma is a young man, sixteen years of age."
	"I was hoping we could sit down with you this afternoon and discuss
that Sensei.  There are some things that you need to know, such as she was
raised as a boy."
	Keiko noted the nervousness on the other side of the line. 
"Akane, Ranma isn't one of those boys who have been changing gender is he? 
If that is the case, special dispensation can be made, and a specialized
school uniform can be created."
	She heard Akane giggle over the phone, "No Sensei, she's
definitely female, although she sometimes doesn't act like it.  Her father
raised her as though she was his son so she's a bit of a tomboy.  Other
than her behaviour, she is completely female."
	"OK, Akane.  As soon as the two of you arrive at school however, I
would like to see you in my office.  We will need to discuss several
things and one of them is the matter of these passed school records." 
Keiko heard a scream in the background.
	"Ahhh...I have to go Sensei, something's happened to Ranma."
	With that the phone went off the line and Keiko was left to muse
to herself.  If this was something unusual, she could handle it.  After
all, her family was still ninja, and such training, especially in this
school, came in handy.  She would have to see what she could do, but in
the meantime, she would open up a new folder. 

***

	Akane grinned to herself.  She had been expecting that scream to
becoming sooner or later.  Ranma hadn't known that a full exam included
breast examination for Cancer.  Nor did she realize that later there would
be a gynecological examination.  From the reaction of that scream, Ranma
had just lost with just the breast exam.
	"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO YOU HENTAI!?"
	Composing herself, Akane strode into the room, "What's all the
shouting about Ranma?"
	Tofu-Sensei was looking a bit startled, but calm.  "I was giving
Ranma a breast exam when she shouted.  I don't know why however, unless
she is having her period."
	Ranma looked startled, not able to say a word, much less comment
after she heard that.  It was infuriating!  She hadn't even been a girl a
month yet, and men were groping her.  The words then penetrated her brain
and she exclaimed, suddenly curious.  "You mean that's a normal part of
the exam?"
	Akane giggled, "Ranma, how long has it been since you've been to
the doctors?"
	Ranma thought for a second, "About seven or eight years.  Why?"
	Tofu looked at the girl, now realizing what was wrong.  She had
been raised in the older country ways which included not going to the
doctors for yearly exams.  It was dying as everyone grew used to the new
industrial Japan, but the attitude still existed.  "It's a normal part of
the exam, Ranma.  Before I go any further, I think I better have a talk
with you."
	He took out a note sheet and added it to the file he had started
on Ranma.  "OK Ranma, the first thing I am going to do to you is give you
a booster shot of immunizations.  It doesn't hurt to be sure, and those
immunizations are important.  Also, I'm going to have to exam you entire
body, including your vagina, so I need to know if you are having your
period."
	Ranma was now confused, looking both at Akane and the Sensei. 
"What's a period?" 

***

	After the examination was over, Ranma was feeling a bit woozy. 
Not from the immunizations, but the other more...embarrassing things that
she had to go through, not to mention the utterly scary talk that she had
with the Sensei.  She shuddered to think of what would have happened if
she had started to bleed as the Sensei had said, without any experience to
help her.  Not only that, but some of that talk had been disgusting, and
that photo book the Sensei had shown her about diseases...
	One thing was for sure, she would DEFINITELY avoid having sex.
	"What's the matter Ranma?"  Akane asked, seemingly unconcerned
about what had happened.
	"What's the matter?!  I just went through what amounted to hell,
especially with that cold object....ARRGGGHHHH!  Do women have to go
though that often?"
	Akane turned back to her friend, taking the smaller girls hand in
her own.  "About once a year Ranma.  It's nothing to be worried about. 
Besides, you already lost the bet."
	"Huh!  What are you talking about?"
	"You do have to admit that you didn't act particularly feminine
inside of the clinic."
	Ranma fumed.  Akane was right, she had lost the bet.  She hadn't
lost like this since...Since when?  She didn't remember a time when she
had ever lost.  "Ok, I admit I lost.  How about we go double or nothing."
	"Are you sure about that Ranma?  I mean you didn't even last a
couple of hours, are you sure you want to risk it?"
	"I'm sure.  Do we have a bet?"
	Akane smiled to herself, "We have a bet!"
	*Ranma.  You just don't know when to quit, and now you are going to
end up being a nice feminine girl for at least the next two months...*

***

	Kuno was standing out in the hall, holding a fire bucket of water
in each hand.  This he could do easily, even tune out his mind to the
drudgery of holding the buckets.  After all, this was similar to some of
the exercises done by Kendo practitioners in order to strengthen their
limbs and increase their endurance.  In fact, this time he had a good
point to focus on, face of his beloved Akane and the foul person named
Ranma who had spirited her away from the school.
	*Wherever you are Saotome, I promise that you will feel my wrath. 
You are unworthy of such a beautiful, adoring woman.  The only one who
deserves such is myself or another whom the Kami have smiled upon.  I
shall defeat you and take the precious Akane away from your foul grasp!*
	As he stood there, he began going over the various Kata in his
mind, shifting away from the practices used by Kendo and over to the
practices used by Kenjutsu.
	He was going to make sure Saotome didn't come away from their
encounter intact. 

***

	If there was anything that could get a smile out of people, it was
the two girls walking down the street towards the clothing stores.
	It was easy to tell which school the one leading the way was from. 
After all, every school in Japan had registered uniforms for there school
that were accessible from the central database.  Of course, most people
would have recognized Akane without the Furinkan high uniform because of
the fact that she jogged this way often.  As far as everyone was
concerned, she was a nice, kind girl who could get a little impulsive
about some things.
	The shorter one with highlights in her hair they couldn't place. 
They assumed the girl must be from China, given the clothing she was
wearing, and the way she was walking.  Of course, she didn't look very
happy, and was obviously not in a good mood, but she was cute.
	If a Westerner had been listening in on their conversation, they
would have been extremely surprised at the content.
	"Ya'know Akane, That Sensei is scary."  Ranma grumbled to her
companion as they went towards the uniform outfitters.  "I mean that book
he had of..."  she shuddered as remembered scenes of human bodies went
through her head.  "Isn't that a bit extreme?"
	Akane looked over to Ranma, giggling slightly, "Well, you do have
to admit, it is a good warning, and those pictures are accurate."
	"Akane!  Those pictures were disgusting, and those...those
lesions..."
	"Are you thinking of having sex Ranma?"
	A queasy look settled on the pig-tailed girls face.  "Not if I can
help it.  If that's what sex does to you, I don't think I ever want to
experience it."
	Akane shrugged, "Well, that could be both good and bad.  Sex isn't
all bad, that's just the worst case scenario.  Besides, do you want to
have sex before you're married?"
	Ranma snorted, "No way!  Even before that book I wasn't
considering having sex anytime soon.  I mean, I'm still young, and there's
lots to learn."
	Akane turned a thoughtful look at Ranma, "That's true.  I guess I
underestimated you Ranma, I thought you'd be like the other boys."
	Ranma stopped and looked at Akane, "Whoa!  Whadaya mean like the
other boys?"
	Akane sighed and started walking again, "Well, boys seem to have
the strangest ideas of what a girl wants and is like, and they only seem
to think with one part of their anatomy.  I mean, have you ever been
swarmed by a set of boys who only want to get into your panties?"
	Ranma guffawed a bit, "I sort of grew up on the opposite side of
that Akane.  Besides, boys think with their head, they just get controlled
by their hormones.  It's not their fault that they seem to have less
resistance to that sort of stuff than the girls.  After all, a boy's
hormones cause physical changes to occur without them being conscious of
it."
	Akane shook her head, "You really have a lot to learn about boys
then.  Despite the fact that you grew up being extremely macho, I think a
lot of things were left out of your education by traveling around so much. 
I'm not sure, but that might be a good thing in this regard.  Of course,
your new situation now might have changed a few things about how your body
works."
	Ranma looked puzzled for a second, "Well, according to the doctor,
I'll experience what every girl does now.  I'll have to get used to that
while I'm a girl I guess."
	"That's not exactly what I'm talking about."
	"Then what are you talking about?"
	Akane looked at Ranma, "We'll talk about that later.  but, well,
being on this side is a lot different and it's important for you to learn
about how the boys react to girls.  There are a lot of disadvantages to
being a girl.  The good thing is that you'll pick up a lot of new defense
techniques, although you will have to discourage the more persistent ones,
possibly even going so far as breaking their bones, and then there's the
fact that..."
	Ranma stopped in her tracks.  "Uh-huh!  No way!  I'm going back to
being male and going to school as a male!"
	Akane looked at Ranma, "Then you concede the bet?"
	"Yeah, I concede, just let me out...."  he suddenly remembered the
terms of the bet.  "WAIT A MINUTE!!!"
	Akane smirked at the suddenly trapped Ranma, who had realized that
she dug herself in a hole with that bet.  "Come on Ranma, the store is
only three doors away." 

An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2:

Chapter Four:

If this is how I have to get an education...

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,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, Tofu-Sensei, and Hinako Sensei are
copyright 1987, 1996 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Morisato Keiko, and Natsume Sayoko are copyright 1996 by Ichinohei Hitomi

Publishing rights:

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

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	"This isn't really fair Akane!  You never told me any of these
things last night _OR_ when we made the bet."
	Calming herself, Akane looked at Ranma for a moment, wondering if
being so manipulative had been such a good idea.  She felt sort of guilty
for taking advantage of her new friend like that but the alternative,
well, it was something they both wanted out of.  "Ranma, even though I
never told you, you have a choice.  Either we become engaged against our
will, or we go through with this plan."
	Ranma looked down, grumbling even more under her breath.  What she
was saying was almost totally inaudible, except for statements like 'idiot
father', but she followed Akane into the shop.  It had been stupid of her
to listen to Akane the night before.  She had made a set of agreements
with her, and now, by her own actions, she was trapped.  *I'm never gonna
agree with her when I'm half asleep again.  Who knows what I might agree
to?*
	Akane grabbed Ranma's hand.  "Now the first thing we need is
lingerie."
	Ranma stiffened, *LINGERIE!?!?!  IS SHE NUTS?*

***

	If it was possible for Kuno's head to retain more than a few
things at a time, or he devoted as much of himself to schoolwork as he did
Kendo, or his ego, then he may well have been at the top of the class.  As
it was, he was positioned in the lower half of the class.  It was not a
good position for him to be in considering that his father was a Sensei,
and technically headmaster of Furinkan.
	Of course, he hadn't seen his father in almost five years, his
father having taken off to America in order to get citizenship status. 
Not that Kuno missed him.  If truth be known, Kuno would have liked to
have his dear sister poison the old bastard.
	As far as he was concerned, his father was a crazed nut, who cared
only about shaving peoples heads and humiliating anyone and everyone. 
There wasn't a shred of decency in the man, nor was there any compassion. 
Those emotions had been swept away by the madness that claimed his father
after his mothers death so long ago.  What happened hadn't been kind, and
in the place of a pillar of the community was a facade.
	Kuno had grown up as what North Americans would consider an abused
child.  His father treated him as a plaything, keeping his head shaved,
and heaping a lot of guilt upon the young Tatewaki.  He had been the rock
upon which his family members had depended and it had changed him and his
personality.
	A large part of what he was had to do with Giri.  His family came
first and foremost even if they did hurt him a lot.  What was even worse
was that he could never openly acknowledge that hurt.  To protect himself
he built up his ego and told himself that the trials he faced were given
by the Kami to temper him into something stronger.
	Up to that point he had handled the financial holdings of his
family, making investments, being with a few good friends, and searching
for a way to make his father well.  One of the few people he told of this
was Nabiki who had faced something similar in her life when her mother had
died.  The two of them got along, forging a destiny based on the hardships
in their life.
	Everything was fine until his younger sister started to show signs
of the same mental instability.
	When that happened, things started to become too much for
Tatewaki.  Already an avowed Kendoist, he became more and more fascinated
by the wooden practice sword in his hand.  He continued to go after
imaginary targets with it, imagining himself in the place of his Samurai
ancestors as the burdens he faced grew harder and harder.  He eventually
subsumed himself into a fantasy world in order to survive, his only point
of contact with the real world being Nabiki.
	It was no wonder he thought of himself as being the only one
deserving of any possible chance of love.  Of a strong woman who could
survive.  Of one with little chance of going mad, for that is what he
feared would happen to him deep down.
	So for him to be concentrating on what he would do, how he would
embarrass his competition for the one he deemed to be his was
understandable.
	*I shall be triumphant!* He thought as he contemplated the
challenge he would face.  *If what is said is true, then I know how to
defeat this unworthy rival, for if he is of the same school as Akane, I
can use the weaknesses that are always in her defenses in order to strike
at this one.*
	Pointedly, he went over the various ways that Akane had moved, her
usual tactics of avoidance, how she used here fists, what forms her throws
came in, and the varying stances she used.  Watching her had been a
learning experience as the way she deliberately maneuvered her opponents
around her prevented more than four people coming at her at once.  Her
circular movements had forced the boys coming after her to more often hit
each other than her.  She was vulnerable away from the four cardinal
degrees and she avoided using any aerial abilities.  If these truths held
for every practitioner of the School of Indiscriminate Grappling, then
Ranma was just as vulnerable.
	The smirk that appeared on his face as he thought of his winning
was one of quiet power. 

***

	Ranma was incensed as she and Akane carried all of the packages
that the store had given her once they had taken her measurements.  She
was quite sure that they had bought more in one day in terms of uniforms
than she had bought in three years of junior high.  How could women have
so many different pieces for the uniforms?
	It wasn't just the basic uniform which consisted of two different
types of blouses, what the woman in the store had called a jumper, and a
jacket, but several other pieces that she didn't think she would ever
need.  Trying to look over all of the boxes she held, and looking at Akane
who had just as many as she did, she wondered what in the world people
were thinking when they designed the uniforms for girls.  If it had been
up to her, she would have made it as simple as what boys usually wore.
	What was worse was that Akane insisted they buy three of
everything.
	"Don't you think we're carrying just a little bit _too_ much?" 
Ranma asked the girl beside her.  "I mean, it's like we bought out the
entire store."
	Akane smiled at Ranma, slightly amused at the sight of the smaller
girl trying to hold so many packages.  It had been so funny when Ranma had
told the sales clerk that she only needed the regular uniform, shoes, and
gym clothes.  Her companion had been astonished at the number of items
that the sales lady had brought out once she had taken her size.  The
expression on Ranma's face was priceless.
	Grinning slightly, she said, "Not at all Ranma.  That's only the
beginning, and since you're not the same size as I am, most of my clothes
won't fit you.  We're going to have to buy you an entirely new wardrobe."
	Ranma grunted, "Ya mean we have to buy a lot more stuff?  Akane,
_this_ is more clothes than I have ever owned in my life!  I mean I didn't
even buy this much when I had to shop for new clothes in Beijing!"
	Akane smiled sweetly, "Relax Ranma.  It's only until our parents
call off the marriage.  Besides, you might as well take advantage of that
form until we can find a cure for your condition.  Anyway's what would you
have done when we had to go swimming?  Everyone in school would know about
your condition almost immediately, and you know the rumours that could
create, especially about you."
	Ranma nodded as they continued walking towards the school.  "You
have a point about that..." 

***

	Having left her father and uncle playing Shogi after they woke up,
Kasumi had decided to go to the local centre and access a terminal.  She
needed information if she was to help Ranma understand not only what
happened, but to accept herself.  It wasn't going to be very easy however,
given the young girl's rather violent reaction to her father.
	Kasumi would have to find information pertaining to various
traumas in order to help her determine how to proceed with Ranma. 
Fortunately, the University of Tokyo did have a rather extensive
collection of psychological books from around the world.  If she could
find the proper references through the TSO system she would get them to
make a research loan to her.  That would give her a few weeks with the
books, and she could certainly get Tofu-Sensei to approve those loans, as
he had commented several times on her healing abilities when she was going
to school.
	Of course, the other problem was Ranma's inadvertent
transsexuality.  The girl didn't really qualify as a transsexual, and
would have to be brought along slowly on that point.  If anything, she
would have to take very slow in order for her not to do any permanent
damage to Ranma's psyche.  The problem was to get her to accept being
female part, if not most, of the time due to circumstances.  She had
already decided on a few things, such as a modern room with a western
style bed, desk, shelves, and a neutral looking study table which could
later be converted to a vanity table without many problems.
	It would have to be very carefully planned, although school may be
a problem.  She would have to see if she could get Dr. Tofu to excuse
Ranma from taking swimming or other activities in which he might be turned
female accidentally.  She also had to check to see what temperature the
water had to be in order for Ranma to change to either form, and that
would require even more careful planing.
	As she tapped the keyboard, she wished that there was more
information on file.  There seemed to be a large void in the literature,
and what little that was available was years out of date.  Unfortunately,
Kasumi also knew that there was little else to do except go to a
psychologist.  Unfortunately, that option wasn't really very good.
	Her future brother or sister in law was already in a precarious
enough mental condition without making it any worse. 

***

	Ranma was feeling a bit better, especially since they got rid of
almost all of the packages that they had been carrying.  However, feeling
a bit better about being manipulated was like saying one feels fine after
having been informed that they failed a course, but could retake it soon. 
It was a rather large blow to ones ego.
	Looking at her companion, she snorted silently.  Although they had
gotten the uniforms, all Ranma carried with her was the gym clothes,
refusing to wear the dress until she felt more comfortable about doing so. 
*If I had only thought about what I was doing last night, but nooo!  I was
too damn stupid, too damn tired, and I'm too damn honourable about backing
out of this.  Unfortunately, it also means that it limits my choices about
everything that I do.*
	Looking at Akane, she softened her attitude a bit.  Ranma had seen
how the brown eyed girl had reacted to Tofu-Sensei.  If she wasn't in love
with the Sensei Ranma would gladly eat Nato without any sauce.  Akane also
had a reason for wanting to get out of the engagement and she was the one
who was thinking clearly the night before.  "Akane, Hold on a minute."
	Akane stopped and looked at Ranma, still feeling a little bit
guilty over what she had done.  Ranma was her friend after all, not some
stupid boy whom she had to get rid of.  Besides, she was sticking to the
agreement, which was very honourable, and almost unheard of in this day
where American attitudes seemed to dominate.  "OK."
	Ranma sighed, stretching her arms over her head, "Why you aren't
as tired as I am is beyond me." she said, "But now that we have some time,
I want to ask if all of this is really as necessary as you're making it
out to be."
	Akane shrugged, "Well, perhaps not really all that necessary, but
it would certainly solve some of the more insidious problems with our
fathers.  My fathers really anxious for this marriage, and so is your
father.  They were still celebrating when we went to sleep, which would be
unfortunate for us."
	Yawning, Ranma replied, "True.  I just want to ask why you took
advantage of me like you did?"
	Akane swallowed.  Ranma had realized what had happened, and that
meant that she was probably in trouble.  "Well, I sort of realized that
you wouldn't really do this unless you had incentive once you found out
what being a girl is all about, so I had to think of something quickly. 
The only thing that I could think of was making a bet, and you did agree
to it."
	Ranma tried to glare at the taller girl, "It wasn't very fair of
you to do it while I was still half asleep.  All things considered, I
would really rather go as a boy."
	Akane frowned to herself.  "OK.  I admit it was unfair, and it
wasn't really a nice thing to do after all, but there are reasons for
this, including possibly protecting you."
	Ranma's face suddenly changed through several levels, going from
one of amazement, to respect, to realization, and finally to anger,
"Whaddaya mean 'Protecting me'?"
	Akane sighed, "Well, every morning, Furinkan has a tradition of
the boys ganging up to try and beat me up in order to go out on a date
with me.  It's stupid, and annoying, and the fault of one idiot named Kuno
Tatewaki.  You see, he was interested in getting to know me and going out
on a date, but I wasn't interested in him.  He then had the idea that
perhaps I was waiting for someone who could defeat me, such as one of the
legends of the Tengu from so long ago.  Since he lost, he declared that
anyone that wanted to go out with me would have to defeat me in battle. 
It sort of escalated from there."
	Ranma whistled, "No kiddin' !  Are pulling my leg or is this Kuno
character as much of an idiot as he sounds like?"
	Akane grimaced slightly, remembering how every morning Kuno would
toss her a rose and challenge her to a fight.  She was quickly growing
tired of that, especially since she had absolutely no interest in the
idiot who was responsible for her fighting every morning.  If anything,
she wished there was a way to get rid of all those hentai and be able to
travel peacefully into the school.
	"He's worse.  You'll have to meet him to believe how much of an
idiot he is, but you'll learn in time.  Unfortunately, Nabiki likes him
for some strange reason."
	Ranma grimaced, "Well, let's just hope we avoided him for today. 
Besides, there's nothing there that would bother me, or need me being
protected from."
	Akane gave a short laugh, "Do you know how many boys would seek to
beat you up for just living in the same house with me?  I wouldn't wish
that on anybody, especially someone who's my friend."
	Closing her eyes, she realized than Akane had been thinking of her
as a girl all along.  If things were not confusing before, they were
certainly getting there fast, and unfortunately that confusion would
create friction unless nipped in the bud now.  "Akane, I can take care of
myself.  I've been surviving fights for quite a long time now.  In fact,
it seems all I've done my entire life is learn how to fight, and not in a
nice way either.  You know as well as I do that our school is dedicated to
the arts of war, and not to sports as most dojo's are."
	Akane fidgeted, "I know, but I still don't want you to get hurt. 
Besides, the boys are my problem, not yours."
	The blue-eyed girl laid her hands on Akane's shoulders, "We're
friends Akane.  We'll get angry with each other, fight, talk, make-up, go
places, and so on.  Just remember that you should let your friends help
you, not try to handle everything for yourself.
	Akane shrugged, "OK.  Let's get to school, we still have to see
Morisato-Sensei."
	The two girls then quickly ran down the street towards Furinkan. 

***

	Kuno had changed back into his normal wear while not in school,
that of a Kendo practitioner.  He was waiting, wondering where Akane and
her intended, Saotome were.  According to everyone, they had not been seen
in the school although they had apparently left early that morning.
	*This is more serious than I thought if this scoundrel is going to
keep Akane from achieving her goal of schooling* He thought as he prepared
himself with a few warm-up routines, trying to think of the waves upon the
ocean and matching his movements to that rhythm.  *If Saotome thinks to
make Akane dependent on him by denying her an education, I will make him
pay more dearly than if he had the prestige of the Emperor.*
	Standing simply, he practiced the simple form of Iaijutsu, that of
drawing the Katana quickly from a scabbard position.  Moving into a line
form, he then turned the bokken towards an upward circular cut from the
original cross cut, moving forward slightly.  At the top of the form, he
let the bokken drop straight down at the same time as sweeping his feet
forward towards where an opponent would be.  He quickly rolled forward,
doing a side cut and stood up going into a butterfly loop to stand looking
back at the spot he had stepped away from.
	He then mimicked placing a sword back into it's scabbard.
	All of a sudden, there was a commotion occurring over at the front
gates, and everyone seemed to be staring.  Looking that way, he saw Akane
running towards the school with a girl by her side.  He took in the sight
of her, the lively energy that shone from her, and the love that he felt
in his heart seemed almost to overwhelm him.  Kuno then remembered the
engagement and looked around for a boy near Akane.  Seeing none, he went
quickly to the gate and awaited the two of them. 

***

	Nabiki, who had been surreptitiously looking at Kuno as he
practiced his Kata was slightly stunned as she took a look at her sister
and Ranma.  People had been asking about Akane's fiancee at lunch and she
had gotten around to telling them a little bit about the young man who was
staying at their place.  All the girls had giggled and grinned at the
descriptions of how cute and polite he was, as well as the fact that in
Nabiki's opinion he was rather handsome.
	Unfortunately, it was a female Ranma coming towards the school
wearing a bit of makeup.  Ranma was going to go to school as a girl!  *Why
that little...*
	Frustration fairly shone forth from Nabiki's face as she
contemplated how much of a fool she would look like once this got out. 
Seeing how he had reacted the night before, She would have never suspected
that Ranma would have willingly come to school as a girl.  But now that
she had, it meant that her honour would be smeared.  There would be no way
to explain this one away.
	But knowing that Akane and Ranma had decided to keep the
engagement, it did answer one question about her sister, and surprisingly,
about Ranma.  *Figures...My sister the tomboy and her fiancee are
lesbians.*

***

	If there was anything that would catch the attention of martial
artists, it's an unusual amount of attention being paid to them.
	As soon as they had walked into the schoolyard the two girls
noticed everyone looking at and pointing to Akane.  Ranma was growing a
bit concerned, and looked around, wondering if the 'Hentai Squad', as
Akane had called the boys, were going to attempt something since they had
missed their fight this morning.  Unconsciously, she stepped in front of
Akane to protect her and her senses buzzed suddenly.  Without thinking,
her hand shot up just in time to grab hold of a red rose.
	"Wha?!?"
	Akane looked at the rose in Ranma's hand, sighing as she
recognized who had tossed the rose.  "Don't worry about it.  It's for me,
so stay out of this."  Akane said with resignation as she looked across to
the young man standing not too far away.  "What do you want Kuno-Sempai."
	Ranma took a good look at Kuno, *That's the idiot?  He's not what
I expected.*
	Kuno Tatewaki was looking very good.  Lean trim muscles, well
defined and well structured, a light, even step, and a handsome,
expressive face.  His eyebrows, while a bit shaggy, were well formed and
complemented his brown eyes.  Unexpectedly, one of the best things about
him was his hair.  It was slightly wavy and black with a few brownish
highlights here and there.  It was obviously well taken care of, and
nicely combed.  In contrast to the other boys in the yard, his hair was
beautiful.
	A person that most women and girls would fall in love with in an
instant.
	"I am here, Tendo Akane, to talk with you about the vile rumour of
your engagement to one named Saotome Ranma.  I have heard that you and he
left your domicile early this morning in order to break fast together, but
I fail to see him accompany you here.  Is he so much a coward that he
fails to show himself before his betters, or is it because the rumour is
false?"  Kuno stated calmly, looking at Akane.
	Ranma had started to listen to this trying to learn about her
possible opponent by watching his movement.  She wasn't going to let Akane
handle this person by herself.  At least that was the plan until Kuno said
'coward.'
	Akane sighed to herself.  It didn't work, she was still annoyed at
Kuno.  She was also annoyed at her elder sister, the only person who could
have told Kuno what had happened.  Not good since they had not expected to
tell anyone at the school that they were engaged.  "Kuno..." she began.
	Kuno just continued in a condescending manner from where he left
off, not even paying attention to Akane's voice, "Ah, then.  He is so vile
a fiancee that he has no concern for your welfare?  Does he let you roam
the streets unprotected?  He is not worthy of you who are descended from
the blood of Samurai.  He is less than those from whom the Ninja arose."
	Ranma couldn't take any more.  Not that many people outside of
Japan paid attention to family lines, but she _knew_ she was descended
from a line of Samurai.  She had heard the story that Akane's father had
told her yesterday morning, and Ranma was not about to let someone throw
such a vile insult at her.  To anyone of Samurai descent, that insult,
that Ranma was of lower caste than that from which the Ninja sprang was to
invite the signaling of a death debt.
	Everyone looked on as the girl with the pig-tail and red
highlights in her hair suddenly stepped forward and shouted, "HEY!  Watch
what you say about the Saotome family.  I won't stand for an insult like
that."
	Everyone stared at the girl who had disrupted Kuno.  If she had
answered him back, especially over an insult like that last one, then she
had to be related to this mysterious Ranma.  The look on Kuno's face would
have won a prize for the most startled look in Japan.  Nobody dared to
stop Kuno on one of his long monologues given that he pummeled anyone who
refused to listen.  Well, that wasn't exactly true.  He pummeled anyone
except for the members of the Tendo Clan.  A lot of the people were
wondering what would happen, especially since the girl was glaring at Kuno
as though he was scum.
	"I was not talking to you little one, but to Tendo Akane about her
engagement to a man who is obviously a Ronin.  Why else would he fail to
arrive with her at the school this morning."  Kuno answered, especially
since he felt that she was not really worth the time.  "I would suggest
that you concern yourself with something that would be better suited to
your frail being, such as looking for an honourable man among those in
this school."
	Akane reached for Ranma, hoping to stop her before she did
anything rash or stupid.  She was too late.  Ranma had already rushed up
to Kuno, faster than she had thought a person could probably move.  *I
guess all those years on the road taught Ranma more than I learned at the
Dojo, or at least different techniques.  I'll have to ask her how she does
that.*
	"WHO ASKED YOU IF I WANTED A MAN?!  I'M ALREADY ENGAGED!"  An angry
Ranma shouted into Kuno's startled face.  "And I'll be damned if I let you
get away with those comments about _either_ Akane or myself."
	Kuno was rather stunned that in the blink of an eye, the short
pig-tailed girl had closed a distance of about four metres.  It bespoke of
a level of skill that was unusually high, one that was of a person of
strong qualities and training.  He had to be careful however, his sister
could do the same.  "Who...Who are you to speak such?"
	Ranma backed up, taking off her backpack, "I am one who has
traveled far in search of knowledge, and have arrived here to seek more." 
She passed her bag to Akane who took it without a word.  "I have been
engaged to a person I consider my friend, Tendo Akane.  I am Saotome
Ranma, and I accept your challenge!"
	Kuno stared at the girl who stood in front of him in a battle
stance.  "S..Sa...Saotome Ranma?!?" 

***

	Morisato-Sensei had completed most of the paperwork for the new
file on Saotome Ranma, which had been somewhat interesting.  After having
seen the fax copies of the past applications, as well as the copies of
various medical certificates, it was obvious that Ranma was physically a
boy, at least as of four months ago when he had left on a training trip
with his father.  However, she had talked with Tofu-Sensei not more than
half an hour past in which he confirmed that Ranma was a perfectly healthy
young girl who was extremely innocent.
	It added up to only two possibilities, the first that Ranma had
been undergoing gender reassignment procedures during the past few years
since she had seen a doctor, in which case she would not have been able to
fool the Tofu-Sensei, or that she had taken the place of the original
Ranma.
	Sighing, she got up from her desk and left the office, going
outside to see how the young people were doing.  Having a peaceful day
instead of the almost constant fighting that seemed to happen at the
school had made a huge difference in her schedule.  Usually, she was still
in the process of calling parents and taking care of all the file work
that had to be kept on all such incidents.
	Morisato-Sensei had paused outside to look at the front gate, saw
the commotion, and went forward to attempt to stop the immanent fight from
breaking out.  She stopped as soon as she saw what the girl wearing the
Chinese martial arts outfit had done.  Such speed and accuracy indicated a
high amount of skill, one who knew the fighting arts.  If anything, the
girl looked as though she could be a promising student.
	Keiko quickly took stock of the girl.  She was wearing a pair of
comfortable cloth shoes with thin soles.  Warm in any weather, but
providing the advantage of allowing one to feel what was underneath their
feet.  Her pants were slightly baggy on her, tied at the ankles with
ribbons, which marked her as someone experienced with aerial combat, and
her top was a Chinese style battle shirt not usually seen outside of the
traditionalist of Kenpo or Chun Fa.  The ties were well done, and the belt
she wore was attached in a way that allowed it to also be used as a
possible weapon if need be.  it was obvious that the ends of the belt were
weighted from the way they swung slightly and the armbands she wore looked
similar to the sweatbands that some students wore, but these were made of
leather and were wrapped in such a manner that indicated there was a bit
of armour protection under them.
	She noted the intense aura that emanated from the young girl, one
that indicated years of training and unusual skill in one so young in this
day and age.  If trained she would quickly learn how to take advantage of
her Chi in order to not only fight more effectively, but to heal herself
faster.  As the girl rested back into a light fighting stance, one that
she recognized from Aikido, she heard what the girl said about being
Akane's fiancee.
	*So _this_ is Saotome Ranma.  I think that the talk I'm going to
have this afternoon will be a lot more interesting than I originally
imagined.*

***

	The schoolyard became quiet as the words of the small pig-tailed
girl still lingered in the air.
	It had started with Kuno spouting off at the mouth again, usually
of no consequence since only a few ever really listened to what came out
of his mouth.  Still he did command a grudging respect, if only for the
fact that he was admittedly one of the best martial artists in the school. 
It was for these reasons that it was thought Kuno's monologue would have
no effect.
	Everyone was wrong.
	The girl who had arrived in the schoolyard with Tendo Akane was
somewhat interesting to all the students.  Her hair was black with red
highlights done up in a pigtail that reached down to her shoulder blades. 
Large, expressive turquoise eyes shone forth in anger at Kuno as she stood
there in a relaxed stance that signified danger to those watching.  Of
course, everything about her signaled danger, from the Chinese outfit she
wore that looked faintly like a kung-fu outfit seen on movies from Hong
Kong, to the way her body moved.  The boys who had been watching had
become entranced with her while the girls started to get a little jealous.
	That was when they heard her exclamation about being engaged and
who she was engaged to.
	Almost immediately everyone was stunned, the rumours that had been
going around the school having nothing at all to do with the reality of
the situation.
	You could almost hear the breaking of hearts as the boys suddenly
realized why the object of their desire for the past two months wasn't
interested in them.  The girl they had pursued had always claimed that she
didn't like, and could not stand boys.  When Kuno had come up with this
silly claim that only one stronger than Tendo Akane could even consider
taking her out, all the boys in the school attempted to defeat her.  It
had been a matter of pride.
	As for the girls in the yard, many of them had raised eyebrows,
some of them having thought that Akane having been engaged to a boy was
too ridiculous to be believed.  That Saotome Ranma had charmed the one
girl in the school least likely to be engaged had started rumours that he
had to have been some kind of Kami, or at least superhuman.  it was a nice
romantic notion, and a number of the girls who thought it was possible had
quietly decided to pursue someone who could romance the school's ice
queen.
	All of the students, however, had the same thought running through
their head consciously or unconsciously as they watched the confrontation. 
*Somehow, this all makes sense...*
	As for Kuno, he stared in wonder at the girl in front of him, the
one who called in the insults he had flung out earlier.  To say that he
was in disbelief over her words would have been an understatement.  He
unconsciously repeated the name he heard, still unable to believe what his
ears told him.  "S..Sa...Saotome Ranma?!?" 

An Alternate History of Ranma 1/2:

Chapter Five:

The way everyone is looking at me...

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,
Mousse, Kuno Tatewaki, Kuno Kodachi, Tofu-Sensei, and Hinako Sensei are
copyright 1987, 1996 by Takahashi Rumiko. 

Morisato Keiko, Natsume Sayoko, Masumato Yukio, Yoshida Kyoko, Suzuki Ryu,
Tanaka Hiroshi, and Tomiyoshi Hikaru are copyright 1996 by Ichinohei
Hitomi

Publishing rights:

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

By Ichinohei Hitomi

	Ranma's eye's narrowed as she looked at the man before her.  She
had not believed Akane earlier when she had told her what an idiot he was,
but the proof was before her.  All in all, even though his comments
deserved it, she wasn't going to kill him.
	"Kuno Tatewaki," she began, her voice holding contempt and scorn in
it, "By your own comments and actions you have created a rift between us
beyond any that was necessary.  You have gone beyond the area of a
challenge, beyond that of adversaries, even beyond that of a blood-debt."
	Ranma started shifting around, her guard kept light, and ready to
take off into the air.  "Even were you speaking out of term, your words
held both the tone of superiority, and the words of death, clearly thought
and clearly stated.  Your words go beyond that of even a generational
debt.  For your words of contempt for the Saotome family alone I should
call upon the death-debt.  You had not even met me and yet you let go
viciousness that any of Samurai descent would find contemptible.  Yet that
is only part of the reason I would call the death-debt."
	She began to close in slowly towards Kuno, allowing his automatic
reactions to start to bring the blade to bear.  She noted that his
movements went automatically towards that of Kendo, which meant that he
was not prepared to take her on in proper combat.  "The other reason that
I would call that debt is for your treatment of Akane-chan.  You have
disregarded her feelings, treating her as though she was property. 
Inducing attacks by saying that only one who could strike her and hurt her
would have the privilege of going out with her.  A Samurai would not do
so, and _that_ is why I call a death debt, for which you now have to pay."
	Ranma ran in quickly, using her left hand to do an outside whip to
Kuno's left wrist before he could begin to react.  Automatically, Kuno
twisted back, letting his right hand push the Bokken around in a low arc
designed to hit his opponents legs, still too stunned to use conscious
control over his muscles.  Taking the opportunity, Ranma leapt up, coming
down behind the startled Kendo practitioner and awaited his turning
around.
	As soon as he turned, Ranma reached in, using a form of spin
practiced in Akijutsu to get inside Kuno's armspace, letting her right arm
grab his, and spinning the would be warrior off balance and on to the
ground.  Kuno's autonomic system responded, allowing him to spin up and
face Ranma once more.  Unfortunately he was too late.
	Ranma had taken the opportunity to let her sash fall from her
waist, spinning it in a double circle which duplicated the movements of a
tri-staff.  Allowing Kuno to strike, she used the soft cloth to trap the
bokken while allowing the weighted ends to wrap around her opponents
wrists.  Pulling back, which forced the bokken straight to her chest, she
dropped below his outstretched arms and slipped through his legs, spun,
and held the teenage swordsman to the ground.  Kuno was defeated.
	Ranma continued to hold him there, face on his hands, knees
together as though he was apologizing for a great wrong.  She knelt close
to his head and in a deathly quiet voice told him, "I will not take your
life, for you are not worth the effort of a true warrior.  However, I will
insist on you fulfilling a part of your debt upon your word of honour. 
You are facing Akane, and you will now beg her forgiveness and promise to
never go after her again.  You will also tell everyone that you were wrong
and beg the forgiveness of everyone in the school for threatening one whom
you were supposed to protect."
	Kuno Tatewaki looked up to see Akane standing before him not too
far away, "I, Kuno Tatewaki, Blue Thunder of Furinkan High School, do
humbly offer you my apologies for causing you such pain Tendo-san.  You
have been wronged by me in my foolish quest for your heart, and I have set
an example unworthy of a Samurai.  Let everyone bear witness to my
deserved humiliation for being the cause of such pain."
	Ranma let her sash go, allowing the tension to cease.  Quickly,
she pushed Kuno's body up and removed her sash from his wrists.  "Good. 
An excellent beginning.  You only have to continue to prove yourself
worthy of the name Samurai.  Remember, under the death-debt I could have
easily demanded not only your life, but that of your family.  Learn and do
not do this again."
	Ranma got up and went to Akane who gave her back her schoolbag,
although there was a strange look in her eyes.  Her fiancee looked as
though she was angry, amazed, and wanted to laugh at the same time.  Not
saying a word, they went on towards the school, a pathway clearing before
them.
	Kuno, still on his knees looked at the departing pig-tailed girl,
*I have, by honour, given up my quest for Akane, but now I know that the
one I should chose should be you.  Saotome Ranma, my pig-tailed girl, I
promise to be faithful to you and to prove my worth, no matter how long it
takes.  I shall one day marry you.*
	Morisato Keiko looked at Ranma as she was reattaching her belt. 
*She will definitely make a good student.*

***

	"Ranma, was it necessary to tell everyone that we're engaged,
especially so publicly?"
	Ranma turned to look at Akane who had an angry expression on her
face, "Well, it seems that everyone already knew about it, so what?"
	Exasperation filled Akane's face.  Thanks to Ranma's big mouth,
both of them would get reputations as being lesbians.  Not that that was
bad, but it was not who she was.  She did like boys, it was just that she
had never found a boy her own age that happened to be mature, kind, and
caring.  All the boys she had met so far had been jerks, especially Kuno. 
Thanks to that unthinking speech, Ranma would have everyone talking and
wondering about her, and....
	"Ranma, take a look at yourself."
	Ranma looked down at herself, "What's wrong?"
	"Do you happen to notice something?"
	"I'm not wearing my school uniform?"
	Sighing, Akane looked at Ranma, "Ranma, you're a girl, right?"
	"Well, only wh.." Ranma had started until Akane placed a hand over
her mouth.
	"I mean right now."
	Ranma had no idea what she was getting at.  "Yes, I'm a girl."
	Akane looked at her pig-tailed friend, taking it slowly, "OK, now
what sex am I?"
	"A girl of course!"
	Akane nodded, "Now follow this, what did you say to everyone about
us?"
	Ranma's face crumpled in confusion as she went over what she said,
"I told everyone we were friends, and that we're..."  Her face crumbled,
and she winced, placing her hand over her eye.  She then mumbled in a low
voice, "I said we were engaged."
	"Exactly!"
	Sighing Ranma looked up at Akane, turquoise eyes looking into
brown ones.  "Ahh...I'm sorry about that.  I wasn't exactly thinking
clearly after I heard what Kuno said."
	Akane smirked wearily, "That much was obvious.  Besides, it's not
you that I'm angry with, it's Nabiki.  She's the only one who could have
told everyone about it, and she happens to be in Kuno's class.  The only
reason I'm pointing this out is so that you start thinking _before_ you
start fighting."  Shaking her head, Akane continued, "Besides, I have to
thank you for what you did for me out there."
	Ranma blushed and looked down at her feet, "I...That is...Don't
worry about it.  He shouldn't have done that to you in the first place. 
It was dishonourable the way he was behaving towards you and I wanted to
stop it."
	Sighing, Akane put her hand under Ranma's chin and brought it up,
"Thanks anyways."  She then kissed the suddenly startled pig-tailed girl
on the cheek.
	"Wh..Wha...What was that for?"
	"For being my friend."
	Akane grabbed a very confused and flustered Ranma's hand and took
her to the administration office for their meeting with Morisato-Sensei. 

***

	"Did you hear that Kyoko-chan?"
	Kyoko looked at her friend, "Did I hear it?  Did you see the kiss
Yukio-chan?"
	Masumato Yukio smiled slightly as her brown haired friend started
giggling a bit.  Speculation over Akane's sexual preference had already
been making the rounds of the girls rumour mill at Furinkan.  Not that
anybody minded, they just wanted to know who she was going out with.  She
herself hadn't believed the engagement rumours, especially to a boy. 
"Yes.  She is rather cute, just the sort of girl that Akane would go out
with."
	Yoshida Kyoko smiled and nodded, "Well, everyone already knows how
much of a tomboy Akane is, so it's no wonder that she would pick a
feminine girl to get engaged to."
	Yukio grinned, also nodding her head as she came in close to
whisper to Kyoko, "And did you hear what the two of them were talking
about?  I wonder how many times they've had sex?"
	"The way they were talking, it had to have been a few times at
least, especially the way Akane closed Ranma's mouth.  I wonder how long
they've known each other and why Akane never mentioned her before?"  Kyoko
whispered back.
	Yukio frowned a little, "You know, it sounded as though they
didn't want anyone to know about their engagement."
	"Too late now!  Besides, it will be great to tell the others what
we know."
	"I don't know, but everyone already knows they're engaged.  I
wonder who we should tell about this?"  Yukio mused as she patted her long
black hair into place.
	"How about Kaori."
	Grinning, the two girls went to class to talk with the other
girls. 

***

	Akane and Ranma entered Morisato-Sensei's office and bowed to her. 
"Good afternoon, Sensei"
	Keiko stood up and bowed to the two students.  She was wearing a
semi- conservative blue suit, and a white blouse.  Her brown eyes crinkled
in amusement as she said, "Well, Saotome-san.  It seems that you are both
a boy and a girl."
	Ranma's face drained of colour while Akane looked flabbergasted as
what she had just heard the Sensei say.  How had she known about her
curse?  It didn't make sense, at least not to her, "H..How...How did
you..."
	Akane quickly shushed Ranma, trying to figure out a way to get out
of this.  "I see you've heard about the engagement Morisato-Sensei."
	Keiko frowned.  Besides rumours of their engagement, which had
already spread throughout the school, there was something else they
weren't mentioning.  The comment she made was to break the ice and to
confront the two on Ranma's past record, especially since there was a
possibility of this person not being the original.  "I did hear about that
Akane-chan, but that wasn't the reason I said that."
	She opened the two file folders that were on her desk.  "According
to these school _and_ medical records, you used to be male.  According to
Tofu-Sensei, you are a normal, if innocent female.  Before I have to call
a Recognition Inquiry I would like to have an explanation from the two of
you."
	Ranma looked at the Sensei, her eyes wide open, and slightly
scared.  The problem was she wasn't really listening to what the Sensei
had said, still concentrating on the earlier words.  For anyone to have
figured out about the curse was horrible, especially since that meant that
the charade they had designed would fail.  "How did you find out?  I mean
about my changing sexes?"
	Morisato-Sensei's eyebrows raised in startlement and shock.  She
had been hoping to catch these two in some sort of lie so that she could
start training Ranma in her style of martial arts.  For the child to have
actually had a sex-change was something that she had not even consider.
	While it was true that there were some boys and girls who had
switched sex roles in society, more so in recent years, she had never
heard of someone so young having the final operation.  Usually, it was
only a matter of getting a school uniform adjusted to fit the teenager
while in consultation with the gynecologist in charge of treatment.  For
Ranma's parents to have agreed to letting their child have the operation
so early meant that she had convinced her parents that she really wanted
this.
	"It was rather obvious, Ranma-chan.  Your name is somewhat unusual,
and the medical records indicate what has happened.  I would have
appreciated getting notification from the surgeon on this as it would have
made it a lot easier."
	Ranma's face had gained back a little of it's colour, although she
was still very nervous.  "Surgeon?  What surgeon?"
	Akane placed a hand over her eyes.  Because of what
Morisato-Sensei said earlier in the day, combined with the what she just
told them, the Sensei had assumed Ranma had a sex change operation. 
*Blast her big mouth!  I've got to find a way to make sure that she
doesn't keep opening it like that, especially over every little statement. 
Somehow, I'll have to find a way to make her think before she talks.*
	Keiko face now showed complete bewilderment, and shock.  "What do
you mean, 'What Surgeon?'"
	"We're going to have to tell her Ranma."  Akane said clearly as she
quickly assessed the situation.  "If for no other reason than to stop an
investigation into the matter."
	Ranma looked over at Akane, her face still a bit pale and nodded. 
"I guess you're right.  It's just that I never expected to tell anyone
this soon."
	Keiko leaned forward, curious despite her surprise.  "Tell me
what?"
	"Sensei," Akane started, "It might be better if we have some hot
and cold water..." 

***

	In Akane's classroom, everyone was talking about what had taken
place during the lunch period.
	Most of the talk centred around Ranma and what sort of girl she
could possibly be.  True, she had taken on Kuno and won, but she had also
been very feminine when Akane had kissed her in the hall.  Who she was,
and how often she and Akane had dated were bantered back and forth by both
the girls and the boys.
	Of course, some of the boys had different reasons for wanting to
find out about Ranma.  To them, she was very cute, and for her to have
been engaged to Akane was a blow to their pride.  How could a girl even
think about another girl when there were such specimens of masculinity
around?  There had to be some way to convince both girls that it would be
better to date them.
	"So Hiroshi, what do you think?" asked one black haired boy with
glasses.
	Tanaka Hiroshi frowned back, "I'm not sure, I mean she's cute and
everything, but how would we get to know her if she's anything like Akane? 
>From what she said to Kuno, it's obvious she doesn't think of us that
way."
	Tomiyoshi Hikaru looked over at his friends.  While he had grown
up with them, it was obvious that Hiroshi and Ryu were still relatively
immature.  So what if Akane and the new girl, Ranma were engaged and were
lovers.  It was their business.  That's all there was to it.
	*Why can't these guys try to talk to a girl instead of assuming
that they know what they want?* he thought to himself as he also
considered the situation.  *Probably the best way to go about it,
especially since those idiots will make fools of themselves.*
	He reflected on what Kuno had said as well.  He wasn't guiltless
in what had happened, although he had tried to rationalize it as a matter
of pride.  Being honest with himself, he realized that his problem was he
had assumed that Kuno knew what he was talking about.  An incredibly
stupid way to go about things as that had been one of the factors that led
Japan into the world wars. 

***
	To say Keiko was surprised at the turn of events, as well as the
demonstration, was an understatement.  It was more like she was in
complete disbelief over what had happened.  However, facts were facts, and
something had to be done about this.
	Of course, it would also be to her advantage to help them pull off
their plan.  "Well, that is certainly an interesting situation.  I can
understand why you're trying this, but to tell the truth, it's probably
better for you to come to school as a girl anyways."
	Ranma, still wiping her hair from being dunked with water, ask
curiously, "Why's that?"
	Morisato-Sensei looked at her two students, her voice calm and
reasonable.  "Several reason, and the first has to do with the schools
sports programs.  One of the required subjects here at Furinkan is
swimming.  What would have happened when you had to use the schools pool? 
It would have created a furor, and your secret would have been revealed to
everyone.  I don't think that's what you would have wanted."
	Both Akane and Ranma nodded at that.  Their lives were complicated
enough already, undoubtedly more complications would make things even
harder.  They were lucky that the counselor was so understanding.
	"Another thing that would have to have been taken into
consideration would have been Ensuko's."  The Sensei continued.  "What
would have happened when it rained?  Or if we went to one of the Oceanic
Research Centres?  It would definitely be strange if a boy who is supposed
to be on the trip disappeared to be replaced by a similar looking young
woman."
	Akane looked into the Sensei's eyes, "That's some of the other
reasons why we decided that this might be better.  One of the main ones
though is publicity.  I mean, in Japan we don't really suffer too much
from an overzealous press, but suppose one of those American television
show got a hold of this?"
	Keiko nodded, "That's true as well."
	Ranma looked at the Sensei, hoping that she would be able to help. 
"Is there anything that can be done then?"
	Keiko nodded to Ranma, "Yes, although not as originally planed. 
What I'm going to do is make up a set of false records.  I have
some...friends...who can do me a few favours and slip in some
documentation into the proper areas.  What will happen is that you'll be
your own twin, with the same name.  It's unusual, but it will work."
	Ranma nodded, "I can agree to that, but how can people change
records just like that?  And what will happen to my male records?"
	Akane's eyes narrowed, "And what will this cost?  I'm sure that
no-one will do this for free."
	Keiko looked at both of the girls, her assessment of their
intelligence raising even more.  "Good questions, and you're right Akane,
no one would do this for free."  Her face turned very serious all of a
sudden, "How people can change records like that is because the group I
belong to, the school that I am with, has always had it's people with at
least two identities.  This means that we have people in the government
sector in just the right places.  As for your male records, everything you
learn as a girl will be duplicated for that record, except for the few
things that you will have to study separately.  It's a small price to
pay."
	Morisato-Sensei raised a hand to forestall the questions that they
were about to ask, "What I'm about to tell you does not go beyond the
three of us, is that understood?"
	Akane and Ranma looked at each other for confirmation, and then
turned back to Keiko, "Hai Sensei!"
	She nodded, "Good.  First, do you know who bodyguards the Emperor
and Empress?"
	Akane answered, "Officially, it's the Samurai retained by the
court, today it's supposed to be the Police Special Services, but the
truth is that the Royal Family has always been protected by at least four
Ninja."
	Ranma continued, "No one knows their real positions within and
without the Palace, but the last time someone tried to assassinate an
Emperor in the 1950's, the Ninja who protected him were found to be the
Royal gardeners who tended the Palace gardens."
	Morisato-Sensei nodded, "Correct.  The reason I asked is because
my family is Ninja, and Ninja have always had at least two identities
since birth.  Everything that my clan has done has been to help people and
protect those who are good.  The price I would ask of you is to allow me
the privilege of training the two of you in Ninjutsu as well as that of my
family Ryu."
	Akane's eyes opened wide upon this revelation, as well as the
offer being made.  Since Morisato-Sensei was Ninja, she certainly hid it
well, better than she would have suspected.  If she was willing to help
them, then she had no qualms about what could be done.  However, to also
be trained in the ways of a Shadow-Warrior, that was an opportunity that
only people from within the same clan were allowed.  "I would be happy to
begin such training."
	Ranma was sitting in stunned silence.  She should have felt her
presence as a martial artist.  Martial artists of all types gave off a
type of aura that went beyond the ordinary.  For people who learned to
read them, it could tell you how well prepared an opponent was, as well as
if they were going to attack you or not.  Morisato-Sensei had gone beyond
just hiding her aura and herself completely, she was able to create one of
an ordinary person.  "Normally, I wouldn't want to do that, especially
since I grew up with the code of Bushido, but I am willing to learn.  I,
however, will never willingly take a life unless it is absolutely
necessary."
	Morisato Keiko got up and bowed to them, "Very well.  As of this
moment you are my apprentices, and as a result, a member of my clan.  We
will begin training this Sunday and I will start the paperwork and make
the necessary arrangements for you."
	Both students got up and bowed, "Arigato Morisato-Sensei."
	After both students lefts, Keiko smiled to herself.  Not only had
she managed to get two students, but two excellent and pretrained students
as well.  Amazingly, Ranma now had an advantage that she had never
imagined possible, although Kunoichi, both male and female, were said to
have been experts in impersonating the opposite sex centuries ago.  She
would definitely enjoy teaching them.
	Besides, she liked them.
	Of course, teaching them did not mean that Keiko had to admit them
into her clan, but in order to teach family techniques, one had to be of
the family.  *Besides, what harm could it do to train these children in
some of the simpler things and bring them along slowly.  It wasn't as
though such skill were used all that much in this day and age.*
	She used this rationalization to dismiss the truth from her mind. 
That her wanting Ranma and Akane as her students was due more to the fact
that she didn't have children than in ensuring the continuance of the
family techniques. 

***

	In Nabiki's class everyone was talking about what happened, and
asking her questions.  Some of the question were rather embarrassing to
answer, given that she could hardly make sense of it herself.  Why the two
of them decided to come to school as girls, she would never guess.
	"Nabiki, I thought you said that Ranma was a boy?"
	Nabiki thought back for a second, "Actually, I never said Ranma
was a boy.  All I said was that Ranma was cute, was a martial artist, and
got engaged to Akane last night.  You all assumed it was a boy."
	As the girls in the class looked at each other, realizing that
Nabiki had never actually stated Ranma's sex, Nabiki grinned to herself,
the brown haired Tendo having discovered a way out of an embarrassing
situation.  For her to have inaccurate information was not to be tolerated
as her reputation depended upon precise and exact data.  Some of it may be
out of date, but everyone knew that whatever Nabiki said was accurate as
of the time she researched the information.
	Of course, she tended to use the most up to date techniques to
find out things, such as learning as much as possible about the schools
TSO systems and investigating a new global service being made available to
the public called the Internet.  If the information she was getting on
that new technology was accurate then she would have to invest in at least
two computers and a new phone line to her room.  Information was power,
and power translated to survival for her family.
	"True.  We should have guessed that Akane was engaged to another
girl."  Kyoko said, "But I had no idea they were that taken with each
other.  I mean you should have seen them kissing in the hall!"
	Nabiki, who had been sipping some juice suddenly spit it out in a
stream, "WHAT!!!"
	Kyoko looked at Nabiki, "Well, they were talking like lovers, and
Akane leaned over to kiss Ranma.  It was so cute, especially when Ranma
got so flustered.  Why didn't you tell us that they'd been dating!"
	Nabiki's face went still as she pondered the information.  *Why
couldn't they have waited to do that someplace more private, like their
rooms.  Now besides being known as lesbians, the two of them are openly
displaying affection.* she thought as she said, "Actually, Akane keeps her
private life quiet.  We didn't even know that Akane was interested in her
before she came to live with us."
	"Ranma's living at your house?"
	"Are they sharing a room?"
	"How often do they kiss?"
	"Her parents allowed her to move in with Akane already?"
	"When are they planning to get married?"
	Nabiki sighed.  She had been so flustered that she accidentally
added one more juicy tidbit to the rumour mill.  She needed something to
take her mind off of this.
	"Tendo Nabiki, may I please be allowed to speak with you concerning
a personal matter?"
	Nabiki turned around instantly.  Kuno was finally taking an
interest in her, and he offered a partial solution to the current mess she
was in.  "Of course Kuno- chan."  Turning back to the girls, she said,
"Sorry, I have to speak with him in private."
	Kuno held bowed for her to precede him and they started to walk up
to the roof.  "Nabiki, I would like for you to further my apologies to
your sister.  I was very wrong in what I attempted to do.  I have also
wronged your family with my disgraceful acts."
	Nabiki sighed as she opened up the door, "No problem Kuno-chan. 
No real harm was done.  Besides, she's now engaged, so the family does
appreciate a cessation of the violence."
	Kuno smiled, a genuine smile this time, not one of his pompous
ones that he usually gave to the underclassmen.  "I thank you Nabiki-chan. 
I had not expected such a greeting."
	Nabiki blushed a bit, "Don't mention it.  Besides, is this all you
wanted to talk about?"
	Kuno turned to look out over the schoolyard, "No Nabiki.  I wish
to talk with you about Ranma."
	Nabiki turned wary, "You're not going to try to fight her again
are you?  She's living at my house and I don't think Akane would
appreciate it."
	Kuno smirked, "Nothing like that I assure you.  What I wish is to
get to know her, and I was hoping for an introduction.  I believe that she
may be the beauty, the supreme goddess I have search for all my life."
	It was lucky his back was turned or he would have seen Nabiki's
eyes bulging out in disbelief and a slight yellowish aura start to glow
around her... 

***

	In Akane's classroom, everyone was quiet as the teacher called
everyone to order.  In front of the room, Ranma was standing before
everyone, waiting for introductions to be made.  The teacher then looked
at the card that Ranma had brought with her.
	"Everyone, I would like you to meet Saotome Ranma, who will be
joining this class.  She has recently returned from a long trip to China
where she has been training in several of the martial arts.  I'm sure that
you will make her welcome."
	The Sensei smiled as the pig-tailed girl.  "Since it is already
well known that you and Akane-chan are engaged, I would ask you to sit
next to her.  Also I expect you to be wearing a proper school uniform
tomorrow."
	Ranma immediately responded, "Hai Sensei!"
	As she walked to her desk, she noted everyone staring at her, the
girls with a lot of curiosity, and the boys with open admiration.  She was
uncomfortable with the attention, because she was sure everyone was
wondering about her and Akane.  Ranma's face grew red as she went to her
seat.
	As she sat down, and the Sensei went to teaching, she saw a note
being passed to her from a boy.  Tasking it, she opened it and read the
contents: 

		I'm sorry for the way everyone has been acting towards you, but
	you have managed to pique their curiosity.  Don't worry, it will
	calm down in a little while, like it does with anyone who joins
	the school.  It might take a little longer given the fact of your
	engagement to Akane, but don't give it a thought.  What you want
	to tell them is up to you and none of their concern.
		If you ever want to talk about it, I'm always here to listen. 

		Tomiyoshi Hikaru
		'A first class fool in a school of fools.'

	After she finished reading the note, Ranma smiled over at the boy
who handed her the note before tuning to listen to the Sensei.  *Maybe
things aren't so bad after all.*

***

Hitomi

Ichinohei Hitomi
Hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca
http://204.112.189.3/~hitomi
"The beginings of wisdom is the ability to always ask questions."