Alternate Universe

Ranma 1/2 : A New Beginning Chapter Two
Created by Long Ngo
Started February 8, 1998
Revised June 6, 1998.

* * * * *

      "Argg, I have a huge headache, " Ranma mumbled to himself, as he tried
to sit up.

      "You already said that Ranma," replied Kasumi.  

      Turning his head to a very beautiful young lady with long brown hair.
"Kasumi, I had the weirdest dream.  Akane was chasing, trying to make me eat
her cooking when I was struck by lightning.  I later found myself at Tofu-
senei's office.  The strangest thing was neither you nor Tofu-sensei knew me."

      At this time, an older man entered the room.  Soun was shocked to
discover that this strange young man knew of his youngest daughter's cooking
talents.  "Tell me young man, who might you be?" 

      Ranma turned to Kasumi, "That wasn't a dream then?"  When Ranma saw
Kasumi shake her head, an expression of confusion could be seen across his
face.  Looking at Soun, "My name is Saotome Ranma."  *How in the world did I
get here?  I don't remember using the Naban Mirror or any magic ring or potion
for that matter.*

      "Tell me Ranma, who are your parents?" Soun became very tense after he
asked this question.  Rarely has Ranma seen Mr. Tendou this serious for this
long.

      "My parents were Saotome Genma and Saotome Nodoka.  Why?"

      "It's hard to believe that they're your parents because they died 16
years ago."  Soun calmly explained it to Ranma.  *This boy must be an
imposter.  I must admit, he is a great actor.*  

      There was a confused look on Ranma's face as he tried to grasp what Soun
had just said.  "Nani?"

      "They died in a rock slide.  Genma was trying to protect Nodoka from the
Master.  The Master did not take it well and caused a part of the mountain to
explode.  The debree crushed both Genma and Nodoka.  Afterwards, the Master
just said they gave their lives to the Arts.  I left the Master soon after.
Now, can you prove that they are your parents."  Soun was now staring down at
the boy.  *No one will dishonor their memories.*

      Ranma couldn't believe what Mr. Tendou was saying.  He was finally
united with his Okaasan a few months ago and now someone was telling him that
his family died 16 years ago.  If his family died 16 years ago, then that must
mean that he was never borned.  * I do not know how I got here but I'm going
to find a way and return to the Nerima I know.  I finally have a family and I
will not let anyone or thing take that away from me.  Now all I have to do was
think of a way to convince Mr. Tendou to let me stay awhile.* Looking outside,
Ranma saw that it was raining.  Remembering the first time he meet the
Tendous, an idea popped into his head.  "Mr. Tendou, I can prove that I am
Genma and Nodoka's son." Leaning toward Soun's ears, Ranma whispered something
for a few seconds before Soun fainted again.

* * * * *

      Soun headed towards the kitchen.  "Kasumi, could you get Akane and
Nabiki for me.  I have something important to say."

      "Yes Otousan."  Kasumi headed towards Nabiki's room.  She knocked on the
door before heading in.  "Nabiki, Otousan wants to talk to you."

      Nabiki looked up from her manga and nodded before putting the manga
away.  "I'll be right down."  Nabiki soon heard Kasumi knocking on Akane's
room as well.  

      When all three of his daughters were sitting in front of him, Soun
started his tale.  "Years ago, even before Kasumi was born, I made an oath
with a friend of mine.  The oath follows, if he has a son and I a daughter
then the two would marry and vice versa.  This way, it would insure that our
two families would be joined and carry on the Musabetsu Kakutou Ryu.  I
thought this promise was forever lost years ago when the Master killed my
friend, Genma.  It seems like he had a son before he was killed.  Now I can
fulfill my oath to Genma.  If one of you were to marry him, then our two clans
would be united and you would be able to carry on the Musabetsu Kakutou Ryu."

      "Another fiancee?"  Akane shouted.  She still remember the last time
Soun had tried to arranged a marriage for one of them to Tatewaki Kunou.
Later he backed down when faced with the anger of all three of his children.  

      "It better not be someone like Kunou, Tousan."  Nabiki warned.  

      Soun started to sweat as he became the target of all three of his
daughter's gazes.  *I can't dishonor Genma's memories and our clan honor.*  "I
assure you that he is nothing like Kunou."  *I hope.*

      "Then I hope he's older than me.  Young men bore me."  Kasumi commented.
She knew that unlike the last arranged marriage attempt, this one was real
enough.  

      "Is he cute?  What's he like?"  Nabiki asked.

      "Don't we get a say in this," Akane demanded.

      "Family honor demands that I engage one of you to him, Akane.  I'm not
sure, Nabiki.  I just meet him but he is handsome.  Ranma would you please
come down here"

      Ranma only had a towel around his waist as he had just finished his bath
and was looking for something to wear.  His red shirt and pants were blacked
from the lightning strike and he did not have anything else to wear.  "Yes Mr.
Tendou?" Ranma replied in a very cheerful tone.  He had just discovered that
the lightning bolt was a curse and a blessing in disguise.  Although the
lightning bolt sent him to an alternate universe, it also lifted his curse.
He was a whole man again.

      "How old are you Ranma?"

      "I'm 18.  Why?"  The looks he was getting from Akane, Nabiki and Kasumi
made him blush a bit.  He had forgotten that they never knew him and were not
use to him walking alround half naked.

      "Ranma meet Kasumi, she's 19, Nabiki is 17 and Akane is 16.  Pick one
and she'll be your fiancee."

      "Nani?"  Ranma shouted.  Ranma was so shocked that he had unconsiously
releaed the towel he was holding.  

      Nabiki stared in facination.  Kasumi and Akane blushed at the sight.
Soun cleared his throat trying to get Ranma's attention.

      Feeling a light breeze, Ranma looked down and 'eeped' in surprised at
his current state.  Grabbing the towel, Ranma bolted right upstairs.

      "I better go lend him one of my spare gi," Soun commented.

      Blinking a few times, "If you don't want him sis, I do not mind."
Nabiki commented.

* * * * *

      Later that day, a clothed Ranma was sitting at the dinner table.  "I'm
sorry about earlier," Ranma apologized.  

      "That is understandable Ranma.  You were just a little shocked."  Kasumi
tried to comfort Ranma.

      *How can I be so stupid.  I didn't think Mr. Tendou would engage me to
one of his daughters.  How am I going to get out of this?*  Ranma was trying
to think as fast as his brain would allow him.

      "So what is your decision Ranma?"  Soun asked.

      "Huh ...."

      *If he doesn't know any martial arts, then Tousan will not engage me to
him.*  Akane thought.  A picture of a very naked Ranma appeared in Akane's
mind.  *Where did that come from.*  Looking at Ranma, "Do you know any martial
arts?" Akane asked.

       Ranma was relieved to talk about something else.  "Yes."

      "Do you know any kempo?"

      "I know a little."

      "What to spar?"

      "Sure."  *Creepy, this is so similar to the first time we meet.*

      Soun was curious as to how good Ranma really was.  *I might spar with
him as well.*

* * * * *

      Standing in the middle of the Dojo, Akane was in an offensive stance.
Ranma had his hands behind his back and looked calmed to Akane.  Soun on the
other hand noticed the tensing of Ranma's knees and elbows.  Nabiki and Kasumi
was also there is look on.  "Interesting," Soun muttered.  Seeing as how both
combantant were ready, "Begin," Soun commanded.

      *Does he know anything?*  Akane thought?  *Better go easy on him.*
Starting with a straight punch to Ranma's midsection, she was surprised when
she felt only air.  Ranma was now standing a foot back from where they first
started.  *He's good, I didn't even see him move.*  Increasing the speed of
her punched and intensity, Akane charged Ranma only to keep missing.  Not once
had Akane come close to even touching Ranma.  This only infuriated her more.
Seeing how Ranma was backed into a corner, Akane threw everything into her
next punch desparate to land one blow.  The next thing she knew, Ranma had
flipped over her and was tapping her in the shoulder.  She had lost.  She had
lost to a boy.  before she could shout at Ranma for embarrassing her like
that, Soun had interrupted her.

      "Excellant Ranma.  You are very good.  May I have a try?"  Soun asked.
*You have to learn to control your temper Akane.*

      Ranma was surprised at Mr. Tendou's but nodded his head.  *I won't use
any special moves against him.*

      Bowing to each other, Soun got into the same stance as Akane.  Ranma had
his hands behind his back again.  The first punch Soun threw connected and
sent Ranma flying across the Dojo.  

      Soun was a bit surprised that he had connected on his first punch.  He
had been holding back to test Ranma's skill.  He was about to check on Ranma
but seeing Ranma getting up.  Soun waited.

      *Stupid!*  Ranma told himself.  He had expected Soun to do a leaping
kick like back home but was surprised at the straight forward punch.  Getting
up, Ranma settled into the same stance as Soun.  

      This surprised Soun.  *He knows Musabetsu Kakutou?*  The next few
minutes, Soun was hard press to land a blow.  It has been awhile since Soun
sparred with someone of this caliber.  The battle last a few more minutes with
Ranma and Soun both trying to break through the other's defense.  Soun had
experience while Ranma had speed and skill.

      *Wow!  Mr. Tendou is really good.*  Ranma could've won easily had he
used some of his special moves but he did not.  It did not feel right and for
some reason this reminded him of his regular sparring sessions with his Oyaji.

      Akane could not believe it.  Someone had actually lasted longer than a 5
minutes with her father.  

      Kasumi just smiled as she watched her Otousan sparred with Ranma.  She
could she a smile appear on his face was the match continued.  *Having Ranma
here might not be bad after all.*

      Nabiki stared in wonder at Ranma.  *Not bad.  I wonder how much money I
could make off of him.*

To be continued.