Well, here's my first ever attempt at writing a fanfic. As far as I
know I haven't used anybody elses ideas.

   Ranma 1/2: Defiance of the Heart
    A fanfic story by Katrina Lee Halbred


All characters in this story are (c) by Rumiko Takahashi, Viz,
Kitty, and anyone else involved in the making of Ranma 1/2 or
anything related to Ranma 1/2. 

With the exception of the Dream Demon which is of my
own creation. (At least I've never seen anyone else use one.)

Well, on with the show....

Note: This episode takes place shortly after the anime episode
"Am I...Pretty? Ranma's Declaration of Womanhood"
---------------------------------------------------------------

[Opening theme song: Return to Innocence by Enigma]
(Roll opening credits)
[Opening scene is of the Tendo household. Zoom in on the kitchen
area where Kasumi is beginning her usual ritual of putting her
apron on and getting ready to cook dinner. Genma and Soun are
playing shogi on the back porch. Ranma is coming down the stairs,
grumbling. Akane enters the kitchen.]

 Akane : Kasumi, can I help cook dinner?

 Kasumi [looking slightly surprised, but smiling] : Sure. Are you
 going to try bridal training again?

 Akane [looking uncomfortable] : Um..Yes, I think you could say
 that. {Thinking: I'll show Ranma I can learn to cook. I'll show
 all of you I can cook!}

 Kasumi [smiling, brightly] : Good, I knew you wouldn't give up!

 [A groan is heard from the kitchen entrance as Akane and Kasumi
 turn to see Ranma in the doorway, sweating.]

 Akane [starting to look peeved] : What's your problem, Ranma?

 Ranma [sweat drop appears] : Come on, Akane, we all know you
 can't cook, so why torture us all with your attempts? Why not
 just let Kasumi cook dinner since she knows how to cook - um,
 Akane, don't look at me that way. Hey! I'm just stating the
 truth-?!

 [Akane has started doing the red glow thing and is slowly
 advancing on a now nervous Ranma. Nabiki comes downstairs and
 sees the ensuing argument and calmly moves the coffe table out
 of the way and opens the back door.]

 [Scene switch to the back porch with Genma and Soun still
 playing shogi. Genma has a rather triumphant look on his face.]

 Genma : I've got you, Tendo, old boy.

 Soun : Wait, what's - [starts to try to figure out some
 distraction as Akane is heard from inside. ]

 Akane's voice : RANMA, YOU IDIOT! <*POW!*>

 [Ranma flys out the backdoor knocking the shogi board over, and
 Genma into the water. Ranma bangs his head on the railing as he
 crashes through it and also lands in the water. She comes back
 up almost immediately, though. Genma-panda grumbles as he gets
 out of the water.]

 Ranma-chan [rubbing back of head] : What'd you do that for, you
 JERK!

 Akane [yelling from the back door] : RANMA! STAY AWAY FROM ME!

 [Akane stalks upstairs to her bedroom. A few seconds later, her
 bedroom door is heard being slammed closed. Ranma-chan gets out
 of the water, still rubbing the back of her head and looking
 somewhat confused.]

 Ranma-chan : Sheesh! She is _SO_ uncute! All I did was tell her
 the truth about her coooking.

 Nabiki [shaking her head] : Ranma, did you ever hear of a word
 called tactfulness? As in saying something to someone in a nice
 way? Anyways, you know what happens every time you say anything
 about Akane's cooking. You _must_ be dense or something.

 [Nabiki walks back into the house.]

 Genma-panda [holding sign] : Can't you two argue without
 destroying the place each time?
 
 Ranma-chan [grumbling] : It's not like I start the fights or
 nothing. Akane overreacts to everything I say.

 [A few minutes later, Akane comes back down and joins the rest
 of the family for dinner. Her and Ranma both seem to ignore each
 other the whole time, neither one of them saying a word.
 Occasionally, Akane glares at Ranma, who glares right back at
 her.]

 Soun : You two really ought to try to get along. Not only are
 you both supposed to inherit the Anything-Goes School of Martial
 Arts, but your both supposed to be engaged to one another. Can't
 you both find other ways that are more constructive to work your
 differences out?

 Ranma : Yeah, right, as if that violent tomboy knew any other
 ways to express herself.

 <*SLAP!*>

 Akane [mad] : I'm going to my room.

 [Ranma has a red slap mark on his right cheek and appears to be
 somewhat stunned by the blow.]

 Ranma [recovering] : OW!

 Nabiki [smirking] : Well, Ranma, whenever you open you rmouth
 around her for the most part, it seems you can't help but stick
 both hands and feet in (with Akane's help of course).

 Ranma [glaring at Nabiki] : Well, ha-ha to you too.

 [Nabiki giggles as she heads upstairs to her room to figure her
 financial stuff out and read the daily stock report.Genma and
 Soun both groan.]

 [Scene change to later that night. Ranma and Akane are both
 going to bed (in their respective rooms). Both of them seem to
 be cooling off about the earlier incident between the two of
 them. Ranma mutters "Uncute tomboy" as he is lying down in bed
 and Akane mutters "idiot" as she is lying down to sleep. It's
 not long before they both fall to sleep.]

 [Ranma wakes up to find himself fully clothed and in total
 darkness. Akane also finds herself fully clothed and in
 darkness. In the distance, a short ways away, she can see Ranma
 who appears to be looking around in confusion. She tries to call
 to him, but he continues searching like she isn't there.]

 Ranma [confused] : Hmm, where am I, I wonder?

* Note 1 *

 [Akane suddenly finds herself in her gee and in the Tendo
 dojo, challenging the new girl, Ranma.]

 Akane : Don't worry, I'll go easy on you.

 Ranma-chan : Um...If you say so [smiles, slightly].

 [Akane does several attacks using punches and kicks, all of
 which Ranma-chan avoids and dodges with ease. Akane starts to
 visibly get annoyed at how easy she is getting beaten with out
 ever getting hit.]

 Akane [thinking] : OK, this time, all out.

 [Akane puts all her strength into a frontal punch but ends up
 putting a hole in the dojo wall where Ranma-chan was. She feels
 someone tapping her on the shoulder and turns around to look at
 a nervously smiling Ranma-chan. After a few seconds, Akane and
 Ranma-chan start laguhing. Akane starts to walk out of the dojo
 and stops just at the door.]

 Akane [looking back at Ranma-chan] : I'm just glad you aren't a
 boy.

 [Ranma-chan taps Akane on the shoulder again. Akane looks around
 to find the two of them in a park, sitting on a bench, together,
 both of them in nice dresses. Ranma-chan's is white while
 Akane's is blue.]

 Akane [looks startled] : Whats going on, here? Ranma? Why-? When
 did you ever have enough guts to dress up in a dress? You look
 so...feminine....NO! NOT THAT AGAIN!!! ANYTHING BUT THAT!!!!
 [thinking of the incident where Ranma thought he was actually
 female.]

 * Note 3*

 Ranma-chan [smiling] : No, not exactly that again. For now, just
 call me Lonko, to keep from confusing yourself.

 Akane : But, Ranma, _YOU_ are Lonko...[looks quite confused]

 Lonko : Um, sort of. I am the side of Ranma you see very little
 of. Ranma has hidden so far under that mask of pride and honor
 bull that at times, he doesn't even know I exist. He refuses to
 accept the fact that without me, he is nothing.

 [Akane nods quietly.]

 Lonko : You've seen brief glimpses of me. One time was the
 incident where Ranma banged his head. But that was only part of
 me. It was twisted because of what you were doing at the time.

 Akane [looking startled] : What do you mean? [remembers and her
 look darkens] That....idiot. He had that coming, only...[softly]
 I didn't realize he would want to stay a female.

 [Akane looks around and notices that they are sitting in
 blackness. Ranma is in front of them off in the distance a bit
 still looking for his mother.]

 Akane : Am I dreaming this? 
 
 Lonko : Are you dreaming this, or is Ranma dreaming this? Maybe
 you both are in a dream together. Look around you and look what
 you see.

 Akane [looks around and then down] : Darkness...And Ranma
 searching for his mother. Why is he looking for his mother? He
 knows where she is.

 Lonko : You mean _I_ know where she is. He does not.

 Akane [looks confused] : But...

 Lonko [sighing] : You forgot the obvious threat to his life?

 Akane [looking abashed] : Um...No...But then why would that keep
 him and his mother apart.

 Lonko : Can Ranma ever hug his mother, tell her he loves her,
 tell him about his curse?

 Akane [looks around again] : No..I guess not.
 
 A familiar voice says: What don't you guess, dear?

 [Akane freezes, dead in her tracks. <Not now, I didn't need this
 now.> She quickly puts on a false smile and glances at the
 person who just talked to her.]

 Akane : Hello, Auntie Saotome! How are you?

 Nodoka [frowning slightly] : I am well. And yourself?

 Akane : I am fine. Just wondering where I am, right now.

 Nodoka [looks puzzled] : Why you are in a lovely park. But, why
 are you not with my son? In fact, why is my son looking for me?
 I'm right here?

 Akane [realizing something] : Auntie Saotome, have you seen
 Lonko anywhere? She was standing where you are a moment ago.
 But, she seems to have vanished.

 Nodoka [heading over to where Ranma is] : My son! I am over
 here!

 Ranma [looking slightly scared, but running towards his mother]
 : Mom! I've missed you so..!

 [Ranma slips and falls in the pond and submerges for a moment.
 Akane gasps, trying to think of something quickly. Panic begins
 to grip her as Ranma comes to the surface and exits the pond,
 looking kind of confused.]

  Nodoka [gasps] : Lonko? Where's my son? He fell in there a
  moment ago, but now I don't see him. Is he OK?

  Lonko [starts cringing in terror and tears streak down her
  face] : Mom...I'm OK <for now>...

  Nodoka [doesn't seem really surprised] : I was wondering how
  long you would keep running from your punishment, my son. You
  know the deal. Keep your promise. You are _not_ a man!

  [Akane grabs her wooden blade from somewhere and charges in the
  direction of Lonko as she notices that Nodoka's blade is in her
  hand and she is advancing towards Lonko. Akane interposes
  herself between Lonko and Nodoka. A fierce look of
  determination on her face.]

  Akane [sweating] : Auntie Saotome, I can't let you do this.
  Ranma is too important to me for this to be allowed to happen.

  Nodoka [laughing] : Why do you care, miss Tendo? You always
  said you hated him and never wanted to see him again. What's he
  to you?

  Ranma : <What's she doing? Akane can't match mom's sword
  skills. But I can't seem to move. I'm paralized. Why?>

  Akane [getting slightly annoyed] : At least I care about him. i
  can't believe you'd make your own son commit suicide simply
  because of a curse that causes him to change physical form.
  He's more manly than most men I know.

  Nodoka [laughs again] : He is _not_ manly. He mistreats you,
  verbally. It would seem as if he likes the low orbit flight
  plan you keep giving him. He has no respect for others and
  steps all over them with his ego. How can you call him manly?

  Akane : <Something's not right, here. How come she knows that
  much?> Maybe he does but he's my fiance and he's manly enough
  for me! [Charges Nodoka with the wooden sword]

  Ranma thinks <Akane? Is this real? Do I mean that much to
  you?>

  [Nodoka, however has started laughing and her form has begun to
  change, shrinking into the form of Lonko. Gasping, Akane looks
  behind her to see a male Ranma, still paralyzed. She looks back
  around and notices that Lonko has assumed a battle stance
  similar to the ones Ranma gets into when he's getting ready for
  a fight.]

  Lonko [eyes start to glow red] : Well, Akane, you always wanted
  me to fight you for real. Now you get your chance. [starts
  advancing on Akane]
  
  [Ranma seems to recover and steps in front of Akane.]

  Ranma : Stand back, Akane, this is my fight, I believe.

 Lonko : That's funny, Ranma, I thought you wanted nothing to do
 with me. [Looks thoughtful] Because of that, I am myself for the
 time being. Call me Lonko. Come, Ranma, shall we dance? Now's
 your chance to get rid of me.

 Ranma : No. You are not me. You cannot be. It's bad enough that
 I have to be you when my mother is around, but you do _not_
 exist.

 Lonko : Than supposing you tell me why I am standing right here.

 Ranma : I have no idea. There are any number of reasons why you
 are here.

 Lonko : You created me, Ranma. You don't even know who you are
 anymore. When was the last time you looked in the mirror? Which
 is the real you? The facade you show everyone, or the sweet and
 innocent female you were last week?

 [That did it. Ranma suddenly becomes enraged and attacks Lonko.]

 Ranma [really mad, now] : I am a guy! Got that? A GUY!! Die,
 whatever you are. Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire Attack!

 [His fists shoot out at a speed faster than the eye can follow
 but Lonko merely blocks them and then attacks with her own
 Chestnuts attack. She happens to connect, because she is
 slightly faster. She then follows up with an upward punch that
 knocks Ranma on his back. He's too stunned by being beaten to
 react.]

 Ranma [looking down fallen] : No, it can't be this way...I'm a
 guy not a girl...[quietly]a guy....

 [Lonko attempts to attack Ranma again but Akane interposes
 herself between the two combatant, trying to protect Ranma.]

 Akane : Enough, Lonko. You've made your point.

 Lonko : Have I? Give him a few seconds and he'll start hiding
 behind his pride again. He always does. He so afraid of being
 called a girl...

 Akane [realization dawning] : You aren't Lonko, are you? You
 can't be. [Waves her hands and a kettle of hot water appears in
 her hands.] Who are you?

 Lonko [starts to look nervous] : Akane, what are you doing with
 that hot water? How did you do that? I'm the master of this
 dream! I should be the only one who can do that.

 Akane : Let's see. First, uncharacteristic creulness, even for
 Ranma. Second, oh, heck with it. 

 [Akane throws the hot water at Lonko who can't move for some
 reason. Akane is now glowing a beautiful blue color as her love
 for Ranma begins to manifest itself. Ranma is sobbing on the
 ground, oblivious to what's going on.]

 Lonko : No, it can't be...NO!

 [As the hot water hits Lonko, she disappears to become a dark
 cloud with glowing crimson eyes. Ranma, suddenlly seems
 revived.]

 [Akane glares at the dark cloud.]

 Akane : Who are you? Why did you do this?

 Cloud : I am called, Sankiousna. I am a dream demon.   * Note 2

 Akane : A dream demon? As in something sommoned to give a person
 nightmares?

 Cloud : Yes. I was supposed to torment Ranma all night with his
 mother and Lonko. But for some reason, you are here as well.
 This should not be happening.

 Akane : Happosai summoned you, didn't he?

 Cloud : Yes, I have a few debts to pay him. You see, you are
 both a loving couple [Akane and Ranma both look at each other
 and blush, quickly glancing away] and I can find no real wrong
 doings in your hearts (except for what I mentioned before). You
 both have never really inentionally hurt anyone. Though at
 times, Ranma, you are too kind towards females. If you don't
 exert some back bone, they will forever be taking advantage of
 you. You, Akane, need to stop jumping to conclusions at
 everything Ranma does. He doesn't know how to apologize since
 his father never showed him.

 [Ranma and Akane are both looking away from each other,
 blushing furiously.]

 Cloud : Finally, Ranma, learn to accept your female side more
 than you do. Only in that way will your mother know who you are.
 For if she knew how you were as a male, then you would have
 something to worry about. You are NOT a man, but you ARE a MACHO
 and EGOTISTICAL brute who needs to have his ego shatterred
 every now and then.

 [Ranma looks quite mad by now, but can't seem to open his
 mouth.]

 Cloud : Bye, Mr and Mrs Saotome. Until next time...

 [The cloud disappears.]

 Ranma : That...That...That JERK! How dare he...!

 [Akane jumps into Ranma's arms and kisses him on the
 mouth.]

 Ranma [blushing] : Um...Akane...But...People [looks around,
 the park is desserted]..I...well...

 Akane [laughing] : Since this is only a dream, it doesn't
 matter, does it?

 Ranma [turning a very dark shade of red] : But...[mumbling]
 great, now she's acting like another Shampoo...I miss the
 tomboy-erk! That is-! Um...

 Akane [Now getting mad] : RANMA! You Idiot! You could ruin a
 romance novel!!! *pow* 

 [Akane decks him into the night sky. As he comes down, he lands
 in the water, only to...]

 Ranma [waking up] : Wow! What a weird dream. Nah...it had to be
 a dream <yawn> Still, I suppose I'd better go apologize to akane
 for insulting her yesterday...

 [Ranma gets up and exits his bedroom to go knock on Akane's
 door. As he does he notices that Nabiki is already awake and is
 looking at him curiously, as is Kasumi, and Soun, and Akane (who
 for some reason is also staring at him curiously.]

 Ranma [sweat dropping] : What? What are you all staring at?
 [Notices that his voice is higher pitched than it should be. He
 suddenly starts to get very nervous.] No! It couldn't have been!
 It's not possible! [starts blushing]
 
 Nabiki [giggling] : Are you feeling alright, Ranma? 

 [Ranma notices that Nabiki has a camera in her hand and is
 taking pictures of him again.]

 Ranma [gulping] : Sure, Nabiki, why do you ask?

 Kasumi [smiling sweetly] : That outfit looks so sweet on you.

 Ranma [looking _really_ nervous, now] : Outfit? What outfit??

 Nabiki : Ranma, if you had wanted a sleeping outfit like that,
 you could have just asked me. I've got plenty that'd fit you
 nicely.

 Ranma-chan [closes eyes, looks down and opens them] : AAAAAAA!!!!
 Happosai, you pervert! I'm going to get you for this!

 [Ranma-chan runs back inside his bedroom and into the bathroom. His
 father is still snoring away. He looks in the mirror and screams
 again as he gets a good look at the Blue frilled ladies nighty
 he is wearing with pink panties. Quickly he starts to change
 clothes. As he is he looks over by his futon and notices that
 there is a picture of his mother on the desk. In the picture,
 she looks so hopeful. Ranma-chan stops for a minute as he realizes
 that he never kept a picture of his mother by his bed.]

 Ranma-chan [sweating] : Oh, no. She'll be here today! [Looks at
 his sleeping father and splashes cold water on him. Genma-Panda
 looks up startled.] Mom's on her way here.

 Genma-Panda [sign] : How do you know?

 Ranma [looking frantic] : Dammit! I know, ok. I can't explain.

 [Meanwhile, Akane has gone back into her room and is getting
 ready to come downsatirs. Just before she leaves her room, she
 notices that the picture she has of her mother sitting by her
 bed is crying. She stares at that.]
 
 Akane [looking a bit confused] : How? There's no way that could
 be real. Wait, that picture is usually in my droor. [Shrugs and
 walks out.]
  
 [A little while later, Ranma-chan comes downstairs in her usual
 chinese clothes. She looks a bit nervous, but sighs.]

 Kasumi [in kitchen cooking breakfast] : Breakfast will be ready
 in a few minutes. Oh, Ranma, why didn't you change into a boy?

 Ranma-chan : Um...I'd rather not talk about it...Let's just say I
 have my reasons at the present time. [Notices that everyone
 except Akane is staring at her] NO! It's not _THAT_ again!

 Ranma-chan : Excuse us for a minute...[runs grabs Akane's hand and
 drags her out the back door and leaps onto the roof.]

 [Genma-Panda and Soun run over to the back door to try and listen to
 what is going on between their two children but are cut off by
 an interposing Kasumi, with a frown on her face.]

 Kasumi : This time I think we should leave them be. 

 [Genma-Panda and Soun quickly return to their seats, embarrassed.]
 
 Akane [looking irrated, but somewaht nervous] : It was a dream,
 Ranma, it never happened.

 Ranma-chan : Wait. How did you know what I was going to ask?
 No...it couldn't...[begins to blush profusely as does Akane]
 Look...Akane, I'm sorry...I insulted you yesterday, I
 was...well, everytime I tried your cooking, I always get sick.

 Akane [Getting very mad] : Ranma....WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

 Ranma-chan [getting nervous] : N-Nothing...I'm just trying to
 apologize.

 Akane [Glowing, yet again] : RANMA..!

 Ranma-chan :Ulp...

 [Kasumi comes out back, about to say something to Ranma and
 Akane, but doesn't get a chance as Ranma comes crashing through
 the roof, onto the table.]

 Ranma-chan : Uncute, tomboy. What'd have to go and do that for?
 [gets up]

 Soun : Hey, [realizing someone's missing] where's the master? He
 usually isn't late back from his work and to breakfast.

 Ranma-chan : Hmmm...One minute...[runs out]

 [Ranma runs into Happosai's room to see what's going on. As he
 gets to the room he hears screaming and cursing. He looks into
 the room to see Happosai being held in the air by something dark
 and unpleasant. Ranma gasps as he recognizes the dream demon.]

 Ranma-chan : Hey! What are you doing, dreamy?

 [The demon looks at Ranma-chan and laughs, evilly.]

 Demon : Don't interfere, Lonko. This does not concern you.

 Ranma-chan : Actually, considering what and how I woke up, I'd
 say I have first dibs on Happi as far as beating the tar out of
 him.

 Happosai : Ranma! Help!

 Ranma-chan [looking cute and innocent] : But, Happosai, aren't you
 supposed to set the example? It wouldn't be proper to interfere
 in a man-to-..er man-to-demon fight, now would it?

 Happosai [looking frantic] : OK, I'm sorry Ranma, now help me,
 PLEASE!!!

 [Ranma-chan sighs. She knew she was going to hate herself for
 this. Faster than the demon can follow, she grabs happosai from
 the demon's grasp and punts him through the ceiling in to the
 air.]

 Ranma-chan [yelling] : Take that you pervert!!!

 [The demon glares at Ranma. Finally, it sighs and disperses.]

 Demon [as it is leaving] : You win, Lonko. I can do nothing to
 you. As it is I've tormented you enough. Farewell...For mow.

 [The rest of the family rushes into the room in time to see the
 demon dematerializing into the ether. Akane "erks" as she
 realizes the dream she had about the demon wasn't just some
 weird dream she shared with Ranma.]

 Ranma-chan : Well, I'm starved, let's eat.

 Kasumi [looking up] : Oh, my...

 Ranma-chan [sweat forming on head] : 'Oh, my'? I don't like
 the sound of that.

 [Happosai drops back through the hole in the roof and lands on
 Ranma-chan's chest squeazing and groping, much to Ranma-chan's
 chagrin.]

 Ranma-chan [freaking out] : AAAAA! Happosai! [Grabs at Happosai
 who simply tosses her out the wall. A few seconds later
 Ranma-chan runs back in after Happosai (both zoom by the family
 and into the hallway).] Come back here you little freak!

 Akane [groaning] : Just another _EXCITING_ day in the Tendo
 house.

 [About that time there's a knock on the door and a female voice
 says "hello?" Everyone turns pale as they realize who it is.]

 [Ranma takes the opportunity to grab Happosai as he's distracted
 and punts him into the next episode.]

 Everybody : Hello, Auntie Saotome!

 [Finish or to be continued. You decide.]


 Author's notes:

 * Note 1 * - This whole sequence is the fight between Akane and
 Ranma when they first meet in the first episode titled "Here's
 Ranma"

 * Note 2 * - That mysterious incident that everyone keeps
 freaking out about is the episode "Am I Pretty?...Ranma's
 Declaration Of Womanhood" found on tape 5 of the Hard Battle
 Series put out by Viz Video. The tape is titled "Pretty
 Womanhood"

 * Note 3 - A dream demon is a race of neutrally aligned demons
 that are neither good or bad who visit certain people for some
 of the things they have done wrong. At times, they are very
 cruel. Other times, they are very kind for they reward people as
 well. They come from the ethereal plane and are usually referred
 to as dream masters while "pestering" someone.

 ---------------------------------------------------------------

 Well, I hope you like this story. It is my first attempt at
 writing a fan-fic so please feel free to comment to me, but
 don't flame me. I plan on writing some other stories along this
 line dealing with Ranma, his female side, and his trying to get
 back together with his mother so watch in the future for
 "Longings of the Heart". 

 Some personal notes : I don't use any of the Japanese verbage
 since I get quite annoyed at a lot of it. Especially since I
 still don't know what half of it means. (What does ne and ja ne
 mean?) I figure if I'm going to write this in english, it'll be
 in english. If it's going to be in Japanese, I'll write it in
 Japanese (where's my Japanese to English dictionary?). Those are
 my views.

 Please, comments and criticism welcome. I know this isn't the
 best story, but I do plan on making quite a few changes in it if
 I'm given the proper feedback.

 Let me know what you thought about the story and what needs to
 be changed to make it better.
 (I go through my roommate's account so title any email sent to
 me with "Katrina: <title>" or something like that)

    -Katrina Lee Halbred
     mathius@keyway.net