A/N: Hello, welcome to my first Ranma fic! I've been a long time lover of this fandom but never had the inspiration to write anything for it until just recently. I really shouldn't start a new fic with two still unfinished, but it's too sad to crush a muse isn't it? I wrote this quite quickly last night so excuse any errors, hehe. Hope you enjoy!

Prologue: Contract

Soun Tendo stared helplessly as his youngest daughter writhed upon the futon. Her skin was pale and sticky from all the sweat, her breaths so labored and awful it seemed as if her tiny body would give out any minute now.

"My poor Akane," he whispered as he leaned his forehead against hers, almost as if hoping some of the pain would travel to him – anything to lessen her suffering.

A deadly plague had swept through their village and claimed his beloved wife only a few weeks prior. Scarce had he and his family time to grieve before Akane began showing symptoms of the same, terrible affliction. The threat that his youngest daughter would too succumb to the same fate… no, he could not even begin to bear the thought!

She was strong though, he thought with a small spark of pride. For someone so young the sickness should have claimed her a long time ago, but her spirit refused to yield. She was putting up a formidable fight, but deep down he knew she was still too young and the strength would not hold for much longer. But what could he do? He had to buy her time... but how?

"Daddy?" the screen door slid open and a small voice piped up in the dark, "Is Akane any better?"

"Kasumi! Nabiki!" Soun barked and immediately leapt up to slam the door shut. His other two daughters yelped in surprise.

"A-Ah, sorry," he murmured, his body still shaking slightly from shock, "I told you two not to come near here, remember? The sickness is very contagious, what would happen if you two also got sick?"

"B-But," Nabiki sniffled, "You're in there too, daddy! Won't you get sick?"

Soun struggled to find an answer. Yes, technically, a normal person in such close proximity to the afflicted would surely fall ill too… but he wasn't a normal person. In fact, Soun was not entirely a "person" at all, so he could not be afflicted with the same ailments that befell mortals.

Yet, despite his divine origins, there was nothing he could do for his youngest daughter. He had relinquished such powers years ago, when he fell in love with their mother.

"Is there anything we can do?" Kasumi called softly.

No, there was nothing.

It killed him inside to acknowledge such a wretched fact. He had promised he would protect them, didn't he? And yet he had watched powerlessly as the love of his life wasted away before his eyes. Then, with scarcely enough time for the grief to set in, his youngest was now threatened by the same cursed sickness.

Akane let out another frail cough, staining her pillow crimson with blood. Soun felt the dread seizing at his heart. No… please, don't let this happen…!

He grit his teeth as he listened to Akane suffer through another fit.

There had to be something he could do. Anything! He had sworn up and down on his wife's deathbed he would take care of their children. How could live with himself if he broke that promise?

More blood stained the once pristine, white pillow.

There had to be something...

Soun paused in realization.

Well, there was something...

But did he dare even try? Would they even let him?

Many years ago, Soun had been the guardian spirit over the forest of Nerima and the villagers who resided within its grounds. He had protected the forest and maintained his duties faithfully every day for many years, until the day he met the mortal woman who was to become his future wife and mother to his children. He had hardly known how or when it started, but what began as an innocent curiosity grew into a love deeper than anything he could scarce begin to describe. While he had the ability to visit her in the physical world, she lacked the ability to connect with the ethereal realm upon which he resided. So, against the wills of everyone around him, he abandoned his titles, his duties, his friends, and everything he had known before to enter the mortal realm and be with the woman who so strongly captured his heart.

He had retained some of his powers for a time, but the longer he spent in the mortal world disconnected from the spirit realm, the more his powers began to fade until he essentially resembled the mortals he lived among.

As a consequence for his actions, however, he had been barred from returning to the forest and from calling upon the spirit realm as he was now a traitor. His actions had been a dishonor against not only his position but those he served. If he ever re-entered the forest, he risked being captured and made to answer for his actions, or worse...

But what did that all matter when Akane's life was on the line? He would gladly face imprisonment 1000 years over if it meant his little girl's life would be saved.

No, he wouldn't sit idly by any longer. There was something he could do, one last place he could turn – laws of nature be damned. Call him selfish, arrogant, or a traitor; he was not going to let another one of his precious family die without a fight.

Without another word, Soun scooped Akane up and bolted out the room, past his two confused daughters, and into the dark forest.

Elsewhere, a woman stood before a clear pool of water, watching the scene with concern etched deeply upon her beautiful, gentle features. She held in her arms a small, sleeping child, swaddled warmly in a bundle of richly embroidered cloth and completely oblivious to the events transpiring before him. Seeing how the young girl was suffering pulled at the strings in her heart. Poor thing… she looked no older than her little Ranma… Beside her stood a man of strong, stocky build, clothed in simple hakama and gi.

"Dear," the woman whispered anxiously, "Is there not anything you can do to help?"

"Nodoka," the man replied sternly, "There is nothing we can do. You know as well as I that we cannot interfere with such matters at will."

"There must be something! You are the forest spirit after all! Anything can be done so long as you command it! Oh, I can't bear to see him like this, and that little girl... she's fighting so hard…"

Genma was not moved and continued to regard the scene with a grave expression. It tore him to pieces too, seeing his old friend in such a helpless state. Soun had been such a strong, noble spirit. Genma couldn't imagine what kind of suffering he had been through to reduce him to such a state.

Indeed he had the power to save Soun's daughter, but as the forest spirit he could not wield said power however he wished when it came to aiding mortals. There was a process to these things, a set of rituals and exchanges that must be offered before anything could occur. But because of his past transgressions, Soun had been barred from performing these rituals for risk of exposing himself once more to the spirit realm, which would then compel Genma to fulfill his duty and punish his old friend.

So really, there was nothing he could do...

Nodoka suddenly gasped.

"D-Dear! He's coming into the forest!"

"What?!" Genma dropped to his knees and knelt closer to the pool, "What does he mean to do?"

'Soun, you idiot!' Genma's thoughts became panicked, 'Turn back now! Don't make me do this!'

Soun panted heavily as he rushed through the woods, clutching Akane closely to his chest and shielding her from the stray twigs and branches that scratched at them. He had not seen these sights nor smelled these scents for many years, yet he remembered them as vividly as yesterday. To a random passerby he would have seemed like an absolute madman wandering crazily into the forest, but Soun had a purpose. He knew the path by heart – a path that could not be seen by mortals.

Before long he reached a great clearing in the woods. Tall, rough trees gave way to a vast expanse of lush, soft grass, swaying gently beneath the silvery moon that hung large and heavy in the sky. Various flowers dotted the meadow, giving off their pleasant, calming aromas. Towards the center of the glade was a pond that stood completely still, its water so pure and clean it looked almost like glass.

Soun took a few moments to catch his breath before he went to the pond and laid Akane before it. He stepped back, turned his attention upwards, and took a deep breath.

"No…" the gi-clad male took a hesitant step back, "He can't possibly be trying to…?"

"GENMA!" Soun howled as he fell to his knees, "O, Genma Saotome, Guardian of Nerima forest, please hear my cries! I, Soun Tendo, beseech you… Please help my youngest daughter, Akane. She is afflicted with a plague that has already claimed my beloved wife, and I cannot bear to lose her too!"

He withdrew a dagger from his sleeve and pierced the skin upon his arm, allowing the blood to seep into the earth and water below. He flinched as there was a great reverberation throughout the forest. He had made his presence known, and now he had to wait for an answer.

"Oh, dear!" the woman gasped, "He's summoned us!" She freed a hand to tug anxiously at his gi, "Surely we must do something now!"

Genma grit his teeth hesitantly, "But, we cannot-"

"Please!"

"Nodoka, again, we-"

"PLEASE!"

"ALRIGHT, WOMAN!" Genma roared and shrugged off her furious shaking, "Fine, fine!"

He paced the grounds in frustration and racked his brain for an alternative. What could he do? There was no way they would leave this forest tonight without losing either Soun or Akane. Unless...

He stopped.

"Well, there is one thing…"

He turned to whisper something in his wife's ear. Nodoka's expression initially turned shocked and then quickly melted into excitement. Glancing down at the sleeping child in her arms, who had begun to wake because of recent events, she smiled warmly and nodded happily at her husband. Having been given his wife's blessing, Genma then took his leave.

There was a loud whoosh as a bunch of leaves gathered and swirled above the pond with a flourish. As they cleared and settled upon the water, Genma Saotome appeared on its surface. Despite the windy appearance, there was not a single wrinkle on his simple, white hakama and gi. He was of strong, square build that stood in stark contrast to Soun's thinner and more agile frame. His expression was deep and serious as he regarded the man through a pair of spectacles.

Soun's breath caught in his throat but he met Genma's beady eyes with a steady gaze of his own. So it was true. Genma had become forest spirit after him. The tenseness in his shoulders eased a bit at seeing such a familiar face, but he did not yet let his guard down. Did his old friend still regard him with the same warmness he did so many years ago? Or did he now view him as a stranger, traitor to their kind?

A long pause passed between the two men, broken only by Akane's ragged breathing.

"It has been a while," Genma was the first to venture forth, "Soun Tendo."

"Genma," Soun bowed deeply.

"It was dangerous of you to return to this forest."

"I know. But some things are worth the risk."

Genma cracked a soft smile. The same words he had said when he left the forest so many years ago.

"You haven't changed one bit."

"I understand fully the consequences of me returning and accept whatever may befall me," Soun cast his gaze down in penitence, "But please, before that, I ask that you help my daughter."

The forest guardian knelt towards the man, "Give her here."

Wordlessly, Soun handed her over and Genma studied the young girl closer. She was so small and so fragile, he noted, yet he could sense within her a bright, vivacious spirit. He could still see her aura burning a bright, vivacious red – but not an angry red – it was something more warm and courageous. Granted, it was dampened heavily by the sickness, but the fact that he could sense such strength through it all was definitely impressive. Yes, she truly did contain divine blood.

The sickness was a tenacious one. Genma could see its dark tendrils encircling the girl, gnawing at her life force. She did not have long at this rate, but all hope was not lost. As long as her aura was still detectable, then there was a way she could be saved.

"She is a strong girl," Genma said, "I can sense her spirit fighting back death with a ferocious tenacity." Genma placed a hand over the girl's sweat-drenched forehead and whispered a few words. Suddenly, her panting stopped, and the spasms that seized her muscles finally relaxed.

"Akane!" Soun cried out with joy as he took the girl back into his arms, "Thank you, Genma. Is she... is she alright now?"

"I have stabilized her in the meantime, but she is not yet cured."

Soun's expression fell, "Is… Is there not anything more that can be done?"

"Yes, there is more. Her affliction is a pernicious one, but the fact that her aura still shines so brightly means it is capable of fighting back. However, it will need an extra boost. I can infuse her with enough extra chi to save her… but you know the laws of the realm as well as I do, Soun. Any service provided by a spirit to a human must be reciprocated with equal value. If I give your little girl her life, then you must owe me one in return."

Soun's expression turned grim. Indeed, he knew the laws and the implications, as much as he desperately wished for his youngest daughter's survival there was no way to escape this particular law.

At that moment, there was a small whistle followed by another flurry of leaves. As it cleared, a kimono-clad woman stepped forth with a young child clutching at her legs.

"L-Lady Nodoka!" Soun stuttered and offered another deep bow.

"Please, Soun," Nodoka's tone was amiable, "Even though you no longer have your powers you are still our dear friend and as welcome to us as you ever were."

Soun nodded in gratitude and sat upright. He wondered briefly why Nodoka had suddenly appeared. It was then he noticed the little boy standing beside her. He looked around the same age as Akane, perhaps a year or so older. What a handsome little lad, he thought. He had a healthy mop of black hair that was pulled back in a little ponytail, and large, deep blue eyes that stared inquisitively back at him and Akane. The boy was clad in a formal kimono, denoting that he was of high rank. The back of his kimono was emblazoned with the symbol of... the forest spirit?

Wait a minute, this boy, could he be…?

"You were a powerful spirit," Genma continued, "One of the strongest and most judicious guardians this forest had seen in many years. When you left, the task fell onto me. And in years to come, the task of guarding this forest will fall upon my son, Ranma."

Son?

Genma had a son?

Wait, who was he even married to? Soun glanced around in confusion. Nodoka?! Genma was married to Nodoka? He had thought she hated him! And they had a son together? Just how much had he missed while he was in the mortal realm!

As Soun struggled to come to grips with these new revelations, Ranma waddled over to Akane now peacefully resting in Soun's arms. His chubby hands poked curiously at her.

"Oh my," Nodoka giggled, "It seems Ranma has taken a liking to dear Akane!"

"When it comes time for Ranma to become protector of the forest," Genma began again, "he will need a partner. I would like someone to be by his side who comes from a good and strong family. Someone who Nodoka and I know we can trust. The deal to give Akane her life can only be completed if we receive in return a life of equal value, but we know sacrificing your life or the life of another child is out of the question. Even if you were to suggest it, I would not accept. Thus, the only outcome is for her to give her life back to the forest after we bestow it upon her."

"What do you mean?"

"In return for saving Akane's life, upon her 18th birthday she must come to the forest and serve alongside Ranma as his priestess until the end of their days. It has long been mine and Nodoka's wishes that the Tendo lineage would return to the forest. In addition, if you return your lineage to this forest, we may also be able to forgive you for abandoning your duties all those years ago. This is my only condition."

Soun found himself at a loss.

Akane and Ranma…?

He looked down at his daughter, who was so blissfully unaware of the situation happening around her. He tenderly trailed a finger along the side of her face. She was just a child… only a few years of age and so full of innocence…

How could he possibly already decide Akane's life for her when it had barely just begun? Especially when she could have no say in the matter? He himself had been a selfish man who gave up his duties and made his own choice to marry a human. Akane would be unable to make her own choices, live her own life… She would be bound him and he to her until the end of their days, each unable to seek other partners if not with each other. What if she and Ranma did not mesh well together? Was he condemning her to a life of misery? Then again, he had thought Nodoka hated being Genma's priestess, yet here they were married with a son. Perhaps he was being too anxious.

On the other hand, if he didn't accept the proposal, there wouldn't be much of a life left for her. She would be dead by morning.

The decision weighed heavily on his chest, but deep down he already knew the answer. It was better to give her a fighting chance at making the best of her future than no future.

Ranma gazed curiously at Akane and resumed his relentless poking. Why was the little girl asleep? He wanted to play with her. Soun looked back at the boy, searching deeply in those wide blue eyes so full of purity and wonder. He felt some of the anxiety leave his being. He could see no darkness in Ranma's soul. Yes, there was no better choice to trust his daughter with than the family of his closest friend.

"You take care of her, you hear me?" Soun playfully pinched at the toddler who giggled and nodded emphatically. He probably had no idea to what he was agreeing to, but that was alright. They had plenty of time to understand later on.

"Very well. Genma Saotome, I accept."

And so it was done.

Nodoka beamed as she gathered Ranma into her arms and stepped back. Genma lowered his gaze in intense focus and began muttering a series of incantations. The wind around them picked up as the forest moved and breathed, responding to Genma's calls. A series of lights flickered about the air as energy flowed from the surroundings and into Akane. At the same time, a glimmering red thread materialized, each end weaving a knot around Ranma and Akane's pinky fingers respectively. This was the mark to signify their predestination to one another.

Eventually the process subsided and the forest calmed once more. Genma panted and fell to the ground, his gi now soaked with sweat. Nodoka went to him and whispered some incantations to restore some of his strength.

"Thank you Genma, Nodoka," Soun bowed deeply in reverence.

"We will see you again soon," Nodoka offered a warm smile in return, "Take care of yourselves until then."

With one final nod of acknowledgement, all three spirits disappeared once more into the ethereal realm leaving Soun and Akane alone once more.

"Daddy!"

Soun's ears perked up at the familiar sound.

"Kasumi? Nabiki? What on earth are you doing here? How did you find this place?"

"You went away and didn't come back," both girls cried and clutched at their father.

"Is Akane going to be ok?"

"Why did you leave?"

"I'm sorry," Soun pulled his daughters close and could not fight back the tears forming in his eyes, "Akane will be OK. I didn't mean to frighten you two. I promise I won't do that again if you don't run off on your own again, OK?"

Satisfied, Soun gathered his children and set off back towards the village. Hopefully, he prayed, the worst was over and there would only be good days left to come.