[Ranma][FanFic] Meeting Later - Chapter 1
Trent O'Donoghue
Meeting Later is originally a story by Tom Wrensch, personally
one of my favourite authors. Tom has given me the honour of
continuing this series but the idea and first chapter are all his
work. To view more of his work, which I personally recommend, his web
site is http://www.geocities.com/twrensch
The premise of the story was Nodoka Saotome knew of the
engagement and visited the Tendo girls often in the years while her
Husband and Son trained. Knowing this, Genma decided, rather than
trying to risk hiding at the Tendo's, to front up to his wife. As
chaos descended on both Akane and Ranma's lives the two were never
introduced, yet fate has deemed many of the events of the Manga to
still pass, each incident changed by the missing, and addition of
new, individuals. Several events from the Manga and their changed
nature are referred to as the story progresses.
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine. They belong to the
wonderful Rumiko Takahashi and her licensees (Viz Communications in
North America). This work is strictly for the non-profit enjoyment of
fans. No copyright infringement is intended.
Ranma watched her warily. She was wearing a gi, so she was
almost certainly a martial artist. She was also female and close to
his own age. Past experience suggested she was here to either marry
or kill him.
She was moving oddly though. More like a drunk than a martial
artist. That gi had seen better days too, and her hair was stringy
and plastered to her head by sweat. The bags under her eyes made her
look like she hadn't slept in a long time. Or bathed, he noticed as
she got closer.
She stopped in front of him and looked into his face with red
eyes that didn't seem to focus too well.
"Can you show me were Nodoka Saotome lives?" She asked in a
rough voice.
"Umm...yeah." Now what did she want with his mother?
"Oh good." She whispered just before collapsing.
He caught her and swung her up into his arms. Great, just
great, _now_ what was going on? He started to head home. His mother
would want to see her. At least she wasn't very heavy.
* * * *
Ranma knelt by the side of the futon in the guest room where his
mother had had him put the girl. His mother dipped a cloth into a
dish of cool water, ringing it out slightly and placed it on the
girl's head.
Ranma looked at his mother who was looking at the girl
thoughtfully. Finally unable to contain his curiosity he asked who
the girl was.
"Her name is Akane Tendo. Her father is an old friend of the
family, he and your father trained together. I visited them regularly
while you and your father were on your training trip."
"So why is she here?"
His mother changed the compress on the girl's head before
answering, still with that thoughtful look.
"I don't know, my son. I would guess she's in some kind of
trouble. Something she couldn't go to her family with for some
reason."
Nodoka looked up at Ranma, the thoughtful look vanishing under
her usual look of vague good cheer.
"It's getting late, and I have to go to the market. I want you
to change the compress every five minutes. I'll bring up some food
for her when she wakes, I don't think she's eaten recently."
"Ah, mom? Wouldn't it be better for me to go to the market for
you?"
His mother's eyes twinkled. "Would you rather go shopping or
stay and take care of a cute girl?"
Damn, Ranma really hated it when his mom asked questions like
that. "Um...take care of a cute girl?"
Nodoka stood. "Be nice to her, she's had a rough time."
"Okay mom."
* * * *
Akane groaned. She hurt all over, her head was pounding and her
legs and arms were sore and her stomach was clenching in painful
cramps.
"Hey, you awake?"
Akane cracked one eye open. A boy, the one she asked about
Aunty Saotome's house.
"Who are you?" She croaked.
"Oh sorry, my name's Ranma Saotome. You asked about my mom's
house so I brought you home. She's out right now, but should be back
in a half hour or so."
So this was Ranma. She'd heard a lot about him from Aunty when
she visited. He was supposed to be quite the martial artist, and of
her own school too.
Akane tried to moisten her dry lips before answering, it didn't
help much. "My name's Akane Tendo."
"Uh, hi. Hey, you want some juice? Mom said you'd be hungry and
thirsty."
"Yeah!"
Ranma helped her sit up and she drank the glass of juice, not
caring what kind it was. When she'd finished Ranma presented her with
a bowl of rice, which she grabbed and ate in record speed. It wasn't
until she was licking the bottom of the bowl that she realised she
was eating like a starved animal.
"Uh...thanks. I was really hungry." She said lamely.
"No problem. Anything else I can do for you?" Ranma asked.
"I could use a bath." Akane admitted.
"Sure, I'll go turn on the furo and find a robe or something for
you to wear when you get out."
* * * *
Akane leaned back in the hot water with a sigh and stared up at
the light blue tile of the bathing room. She felt *so* much better.
After three days of wandering the streets looking for Aunty a nap,
some food, and a hot soak felt like heaven.
She grimaced as that thought reminded her of the reason she was
looking for Aunty. A tear slid down her cheek as she thought about
her father's unreasonable demands. How could he try to force her to
marry some boy she'd never even met! She'd been so angry and upset at
the way he didn't care what she wanted that she had fled the house.
Only when she'd wandered the streets for several hours did she
realise she couldn't go back. Not with her father caring so little
for her happiness.
She forcefully pulled away from those thoughts. There'd been
enough tears already. She had made it to Aunty Saotome's. If anyone
could help her deal with this it was her.
There was a light knock on the bathroom door.
"Can I come in?" Aunty called through the door.
"Aunty! Please do."
The older woman came in and sat on the edge of the furo. "You
look better." She said. "Has my son been taking care of you?"
"Yes, he's been very kind." Akane almost hated to admit that any
boy was nice, but anyone who gave her food when she was that hungry
deserved a little slack.
"Good. Now would you like to tell me what's wrong?"
"I...It's daddy. He wants me to marry some boy I never even
met." Akane explained her father's announcement and his demands that
she marry. The tears started partway through the story and she
finished it with her face buried in the woman's kimono.
"Akane." Nodoka said in a stern voice.
<Oh, no, she's going to make me go back.> Akane thought.
"You may say here as long as you like Akane-chan. I'm going to
go have a talk with your father." Aunty still sounded angry, but the
anger was obviously not directed at her.
"You mean it Aunty? I can stay here?" Akane asked hopefully.
"Of course. You finish your bath, I have to make a little trip
to visit see your father. Ranma will take care of anything you need."
Nodoka stood and brushed her kimono off with unnecessary force.
"Don't worry Akane." She said before leaving the
bathroom. "We'll work something out." Then she was gone.
Akane leaned back feeling much more hopeful. With Aunty on her
side she had a much better chance of getting out of this, or at least
of having some kind of choice in the matter.
* * * *
Ranma sat leaning against his bedroom door. Akane was getting
dressed in his room so she could raid his closet as necessary. She
certainly couldn't wear that gi she'd had on, and they had to go out
for dinner. His mother had left, saying she'd be gone overnight, and
had left money for him to take Akane for dinner. When he'd offered to
cook she'd just said Akane needed some cheering up and this would
help.
So now he was waiting outside his door. He was hungry, but girls
always took *so* long to get ready that he'd probably be here for at
least an hour or maybe...
"Okay, I'm ready."
Ranma fell backward into this room when Akane slid the door
open. She giggled as she looked down at him.
"You shouldn't lean against the door when you know someone's
about to come out." She pointed out.
"I expected you to take longer to get ready."
"I'm hungry. Anyway, what do you think?" She asked, turning
around.
She was wearing an older pair of his black pants and a white
sleeveless shirt. The pants were a little tight across her hips - a
problem he was familiar with - and the shirt was a little big. She
was carrying his red sweatshirt, which didn't really fit him anymore.
"Looks good. Didn't any of my mom's stuff fit?"
"Just the underwear, she's taller and thinner than I am. The
sports bra that was in your closet was too big. Speaking of which,
whose is that? Most guys don't have a bra in their closet." She said
with a grin.
"Umm...that's hard to explain."
"I bet."
"Hey, it's not what you're thinking."
"Uh-huh. Well you can tell me about it later. For now, let's go
I could eat a horse." Akane said, grabbing his hand and dragging him
toward the door.
* * * *
Akane was having a good time. They went to what was obviously
the local high school hangout. Ranma was greeted by many people,
though no one came up to talk to him. They took a corner booth in the
back and started a long technical talk on Anything-Goes martial arts,
ate a huge meal, and then switched to talking about their lives.
Ranma acted like a real gentleman the whole time. He didn't
stare at her chest, didn't make any suggestive comments, and didn't
even try to brush against her. If it wasn't for the sports bra she'd
found in his closet she'd wonder if he was gay. Of course if his
girlfriend wore a 34C bra there wasn't much reason for him to look at
*her* chest.
Then Ranma started talking about what had happened since he'd
returned from his long training trip with his father over a year ago.
The Chinese girl who whose village law said Ranma was her husband,
the okonomiyaki chef who thought they were engaged, the thing with
the daughter of a man with a takeout-food empire, Ranma had even more
trouble with unwanted fiancees than she did.
She was having a good time, but she was also recovering from
three days of wandering around without sleep or food. She started
yawning uncontrollably shortly after the double fudge sundae.
"We better get back, you look tired."
Akane yawned again. She was getting *so* sleepy. "Yeah, sorry, I
guess I haven't recovered from my trip yet."
Ranma nodded and gave her a reassuring smile and went to pay
their bill. He chatted for a moment with the counter guy and she
leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.
She was asleep in seconds.
* * * *
.
Ranma looked down at the sleeping girl shaking his head and
smiling slightly. He yelled for someone to hold the door for him and
picked her up. He had to put up with a little good-natured teasing,
but his reputation kept it from getting out of hand.
The walk home was short, and she wasn't very heavy, so he had no
trouble getting her back and up the stairs to the guest room. He
pulled up the covers and whispered a good night.
As he was leaving the room she half woke up and murmured
something that might have been 'good night'. Ranma smiled again and
closed the door.
He kept smiling as he walked down the stairs. He hoped Akane
would stay a while. It would be nice to have someone his own age
around, especially one who was a martial artist. Of course she might
freak when she found out about his curse, and she *would* find out.
He'd half expected to get splashed while they were out tonight. If
she was staying here, she'd have to be told.
He'd just have to hope she didn't' think he was some kind of
freak.
* * * *
Akane stumbled out of the guest room and managed to make her way
down to the furo. A full night's sleep had helped a lot, but she
still felt groggy and slow. Since she wasn't about to go jogging this
morning the best way to wake up would be a bath.
After nearly stumbling into a closet by mistake, she managed to
remember where the bathing room was. She stripped off the cloths
she'd been wearing the night before and stepped into the bathing
room. She heard a little 'eep' as she came in. There was a little
redheaded girl sitting on a bathing stool with her hands over her
eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was in here." Akane said.
The girl wasn't so little, she noticed. In fact that bra she found in
Ranma's closet could easily belong to her. So, after she crashed last
night Ranma had his girlfriend come over to spend the night. Well,
she owed him from his help, she wasn't about to tell anyone about it.
"It's okay." Akane said to the girl, who was still covering her
eyes, "I won't tell Ranma's mom he invited you here."
"It's not like that." The girl protested. "And could you
*please* cover up?"
"If you want, we're both girls though, what's the problem?"
Akane grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. "Okay, I'm
covered."
The redhead opened her eyes but still avoided looking directly
at Akane.
"So if you're not Ranma's girlfriend, who are you?" Akane asked.
"I...I guess I better tell you the truth. Just stay covered up
for a minute and I'll explain."
The girl dumped a bucket of water over herself, rinsing off the
remaining soap, and stepped into the furo. Akane blinked as her hair
changed to black, and her face and body seemed to shift slightly so
she looked like...
"Ranma?" She screeched.
"Yeah." His voice once again the one she was used to. "Now you
know my dirty little secret."
"You're a girl?" She asked.
"No!" Ranma nearly shouted it. "I'm a guy. It's just...a curse.
Pop and I fell into these cursed pools in China and now cold water
turns me into a girl and hot water turns me back."
"Oh." Akane looked down at her feet, not sure what to say, and
noticed that she wasn't very dressed.
"Uh...I think I'll go out and wait for you to finish." She said
faintly.
"Okay."
Akane left and waited in the changing room, just standing and
thinking.
A magic curse! She didn't know if she should be excited or
horrified. At least it explained the bra in Ranma's closet. Changing
for gym class must be a real pain, and swimming class would be
impossible, not that she didn't have her own problems in swimming.
Ranma came out of the bathing room with a towel wrapped around
his waist. She looked at him carefully. It was hard to believe he'd
just been a girl. He sure looked like a guy now, and a very good-
looking one too.
Ranma was looking down at his feet, she didn't know if that was
to avoid looking at her or because he felt embarrassed by the curse.
"Akane, I'm sorry about this. If you want to leave I'll
understand."
"Leave?" Akane squeaked. Her own problems crashed back down on
her. "No I don't want to leave! I...why would I want to leave?"
"Who would want to live with a freak like me?" He said bitterly.
Akane's own troubles suddenly seemed less important. They
certainly were nothing like this! It must be really tough. Akane's
heart went out to the boy in front of her. How did he manage with a
curse like that? How many people had found out and been afraid of
him? Without thinking she put her arms around him and gave him a hug.
That's when the door to the changing room opened and Aunty
looked in.
* * * *
Nodoka smirked. "I see you two are getting along well."
Akane and Ranma looked at her like two deer caught in the
headlights of a truck, not letting go of each other or even blinking.
She had originally assumed it was some kind of odd accident, which
seemed to happen to her son on a regular basis, but the way they were
reacting it might be more than that. Not that she minded.
"Well, I'll just leave you two alone and start breakfast. I look
forward to your explanation."
She slid the door closed, heading for the entryway where she'd
left Kasumi waiting.
"Did you find them Aunty?" Kasumi asked.
"Oh, yes. Akane and my son were in the changing room. I think
Ranma just finished and Akane was about to get in the furo. Would you
be a dear and take a robe into the bath for Akane?"
"Certainly. I want to see her anyway." Kasumi started rummaging
through the pack of Akane's cloths she'd brought from the Dojo.
<That should give them enough time to get decent.> Nodoka
thought. <And if not, then it won't hurt to have Kasumi see what
they're up to.>
* * * *
Ranma and Akane stood still as statues for a few seconds before
Akane realised that she was still holding Ranma and quickly stepped
back.
"Oh, man." Ranma muttered. "This is not good."
"Uh...I'm sorry Ranma. I was just...you seemed so sad and..."
"It's okay Akane. Actually, thanks...that was nice of you. As
for mom, we'll just tell her the truth."
"That's probably best. I guess I better go take my bath."
"Right, oh and Akane?" Ranma said with a grin.
"What is it?"
"You're really cute in just a towel." Ranma said.
"You...you...pervert!" Akane tried to sound angry, but his grin
was infectious. She knew he was teasing her, but that didn't mean she
could let him get away with a comment like that. She swung her arm up
for a slap, slowly enough that he could easily duck under it.
He didn't duck, but took the light slap without losing his grin.
Unfortunately she lost something, the towel, having been loosened
during her hug with Ranma, was dislodged completely by the motion of
her arm and fluttered to the ground.
Ranma's hand came up to cover his eyes again. Unfortunately that
hand had been holding his towel on and it joined Akane's on the floor.
And, of course, that's when Kasumi opened the door to the
changing room.
"Oh, oh my! Excuse me." She closed the door.
Ranma felt around for his towel with his eyes closed while Akane
retreated into the bathing room.
"This is sooo not good." Akane heard Ranma say through the door.
* * * *
Akane looked back and forth between her sister and Aunty. She
and Ranma were nervously trying to explain what happened in the
bathroom. Aunty was giggling, she didn't know if that was good or
bad. Kasumi didn't look convinced.
"Well, that was so pathetic that I have to believe it." Aunty
finally said. "And we do have other things to discuss." She put her
chopsticks down and turned her attention to Akane. Akane put her own
chopsticks down and felt herself tense up. This was it.
"Akane, I spoke with your father. For now you will stay here,
Kasumi brought some of your things."
"Thank you Aunty."
Aunty Saotome looked sidelong at her son. "Would you like Ranma
to leave?"
"Umm...No, I know about Ranma's problem, it's only fair he know
about mine."
"Very well. Your father has set up a meeting with your potential
fiancee for a few months from now, during winter break. We will all
go visit your family for the New Year holiday. At that point you will
be given a choice."
Akane sighed and relaxed. She could refuse the engagement and
have her life back. In the meantime she could stay here and not have
to hear her father talk about family honour and her duty all the time.
"Aunty? What about school?" Akane asked.
"Your old school is too far away, we will arrange a transfer to
the school Ranma goes to. You should be in his grade. Maybe you can
help him get his grades up." Aunty said the last with a hard look at
Ranma, who muttered something and looked down.
"That...that sounds wonderful. Thank you Aunty." Akane had mixed
feelings about switching schools. No more Kuno, or the henti horde
trying to beat her up every morning, but she'd miss her friends.
"Akane, daddy was very upset when you disappeared like that."
Kasumi scolded.
Akane narrowed her eyes. She wasn't too happy with her father
right now.
"Kasumi, I'm sorry over any worry I might have caused you or
Nabiki. As for daddy, I doubt he was as upset as I was."
Kasumi frowned a little. "All right Akane, I understand why
you're upset. This *is* a matter of family honour though, you should
think about that."
"I have. Isn't it normally the oldest daughter who gets stuck
with such things?" Akane loved Kasumi dearly, but she was just a
little too subservient sometimes.
"Usually, but I'm not a martial artist like you, so daddy
thought it would be better if you were to inherit the Dojo."
"I think we should talk about this some other time." Aunty
Saotome broke in. "Akane has to get ready for school."
"Oops, I better go get ready too." Ranma jumped up and ran
upstairs.
"I put your bag in the guest room." Aunty said. The uniforms are
brown, so try to wear something that will match. We'll get you a
regular uniform tonight."
"Thank you Aunty!" Akane paused before going up to the guest
room. "Kasumi, thank you for coming. I really *am* sorry if I worried
you."
"I do understand Akane." Kasumi said gently.
With a smile for her sister she ran upstairs. Hopefully Kasumi
had packed her brown skirt.
* * * *
Kasumi sighed. It had been odd to be helping Nodoka get Ranma
and Akane ready for school, rather than getting Akane and Nabiki
ready herself. It had been a bit hectic, as they had to leave early
and stop at the office to make arrangements.
Kasumi took a sip of her tea Aunty had brought out. Things were
going to be different for Akane here. That might be a good thing, it
would at least get her away from some of the problems she had with
the boys at school and also get a chance to know Ranma.
This whole deception bothered her though. "Are you sure we
shouldn't tell them Aunty? I don't like lying to my sister."
"We need to give them a chance to get to know each other first.
With your father's premature announcement this is the only way. We
don't need to actually lie, though we must be very careful what we
say around them. Your comment about the Dojo was almost too much of a
hint."
"Sorry, Aunty. I didn't realise it until after I spoke. She
_should_ be able to figure it out. Who else would daddy engage her to
except the only other Anything-Goes trained martial artist her age?"
"If they figure it out, then so be it. Hopefully they will at
least be friends by then."
"Maybe more, they certainly got off to an...interesting start
this morning." Kasumi said with a small blush.
Nodoka smiled. "Yes, they did, didn't they."
* * * *
"All right Miss Tendo, would you tell us a little about
yourself, please."
"Certainly sensei. My name is Akane Tendo. I'm a martial artist
of the Tendo School of Anything Goes. I'm staying with Ranma Saotome
and his family for the next few months."
"Thank you. I assume you will have a proper uniform soon?"
"Yes sir."
"Very well, there's an empty seat behind Mr. Saotome. Perhaps
you can ensure he stays awake in class."
There were some giggles among the class. Ranma looked disgusted.
She found her seat and started listening to the sensei. He was
incredibly boring, as only a history teacher can truly be. At least
she hadn't had to beat up a couple dozen boys that morning.
Ranma's head started to droop and he started snoring lightly.
She bopped him lightly on the back of the head and he started awake.
Maybe keeping Ranma awake in class would be enough of a challenge to
keep her occupied.
* * * *
"I can't believe you fell asleep in class five times!" Akane
said.
"And I can't believe you whacked me in the head that many
times!" Ranma rubbed the back of his head for effect.
"Stay awake in class and I won't have to."
"Yeah, I guess. Let's eat here, okay?" Ranma waved to a spot
under a tree.
"Looks good. Who do you usually eat with?"
"Oh, sometimes some of the guys, sometimes by myself."
"Really? It sounded like a lot of the girls were interested in
you, don't you ever eat with them?" Akane asked. Actually that was an
understatement. Most of the girls she talked to were jealous that she
was living in the same house as him. A few had accused her of 'moving
in' on him.
"Uh, I used to have trouble with a lot of them coming around and
giving me food and stuff." He admitted.
"They don't anymore?"
"Not too often. I got a little annoyed with some of the more
persistent ones and asked to be left alone during lunch."
Akane froze with her chopsticks halfway to her mouth. "And that
worked?" She asked. She certainly hadn't had any luck stopping the
horde from attacking her.
"Not right away, but yeah they did. The other students kinda
listen to me since I got some of the bullies under control."
"Oh." So Ranma was the best fighter in the school as Kuno was at
Furinkan. He was certainly nicer than Kuno, who'd never done anything
to stop the random violence and a lot to encourage it. She wondered
if he was better than her, not that it really mattered without that
stupid announcement Kuno made. Actually she kind of hoped he was a
little better, it would help her training more to fight someone
better.
"Hey, Ranma? You want to spar after school?" Akane asked.
"Sure, I'd love to. I usually spar with pop in the morning, but
he was still gone this morning. From what mom said I think he was
staying with your family. Say, are you sure you're up to sparing? You
were pretty messed up yesterday."
"I'm fine. I might not be at my best, but I can spar."
"Cool. I want to see some of those Tendo school moves you were
talking about last night."
"I'll be glad to show you...the hard way." Akane grinned at him.
It would be nice to have a regular sparing partner again.
(To be continued)
As I said above, this chapter was the work of Tom Wrench. All
reviews will make there way to him. I will be continuing the story
from here, with his blessing.
Thank you for reading.
Trent O'Donoghue
odono...@today.com.au
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