081230 Author Note: I've discontinued this story, but I will be doing minor edits anyway. FF has changed several of their rules on what was allowed. My asterisks and other special characters have all vanished. This story still gets the occasional viewer, and I want to make it a little easier on them. I've also removed the author notes at the end of each chapter. Took out and added a couple lines here and there.

This chapter is more of a prologue, but, for the sake of laziness, I'm leaving it labeled as is. It's short (1,225) , but please bear with me. The next chapters increase in size (1,700 and 2,593 words respectively.

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Disclaimer: Everyone should know what I'm supposed to put here. I don't own Ranma½ nor the characters involved.

/Actions/ ; "Thoughts" ; "normal speech, as usual"

Chapter 1: Birthday Surprises

/splash/

"What the hell is going on here?!" A young beautiful red-head girl screamed out as she sat up in the early morning, already dripping wet. The fact that it was Saturday made it even worse. The girl looked up to see her father standing over her.

"RANMA! Do you know what today is?"

The girl just glared at the balding man. "It's too early. The sun hasn't even gotten up yet, why should I? Leave me alone, Old Man."

"Boy! Respect your father!" Genma lashed out with a kick that sent Ranma into the closet door. "I try to help you and this is what I get in return?"

"Help me? HELP ME? How? By making me change into a girl? By throwing me into a pit of cats? No, I don't think I owe you anything." Ranma punctuated her last remark with a punch that knocked Genma out the window and into the compound's wall. "Of course I know what day it is... I could hardly forget... even if I did want to."

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"Hey, Kasumi? I need a favor." Ranma looked over to the oldest Tendo sister from the doorway of the kitchen.

"Here's some water, Ranma." Kasumi smiled in her special way. The special way that made the day seem better no matter what was going on. Ranma gratefully took the kettle and poured it over his head welcoming the change.

"Thanks Kasumi, but that's not what I meant... " Ranma checked to make sure nobody was in range to hear. "Well... you, um... you know how today is Akane's birthday and all... " Kasumi simply smiled and nodded. "I ummm... I need you to get her into the park... but don't let her know it's because of me!" Ranma began to sweat as he hoped everything would go as planned.

"Why do you need me to do that?" Kasumi asked innocently.

"Well... uh... you'll find out, ok?"

"Of course Ranma, just behave yourself." Kasumi smiled and Ranma felt a wave of relief come over him.

Ranma began to walk out when he suddenly turned back around and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. "Kasumi, I also need you to give this to Mr. Tendo. Thanks again!" He handed her the paper and ran back up to his room.

Kasumi opened the paper and read it. Slowly, she put her hand to her mouth. "Oh my." When she put the note into her apron to give to her father later, she simply smiled. "Well, it's about time."

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Akane woke up pretty cheerful. She jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs. Everyone jumped up at once as she entered the room. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"Thanks everyone!" She smiled and looked around the room at her family and friends. Kasumi. Nabiki. Father. Genma. Ra-Ranma? She looked around and didn't see him. "Where's Ranma?" Everyone looked around.

"I thought it was a little too quiet." Nabiki said as she looked around, trying to figure out where he was. "What are you up to Ranma?"

"Akane, why don't you go for your morning jog? I'm sure Ranma will be back by the time you get back. Oh, and would you stop by the park for me? I saw a nice patch of flowers that would look just beautiful in a vase for the table. I'm not sure what kind they are, but I'm sure you'll be able to find them." Akane started to object, but when she saw Kasumi smiling she couldn't help herself.

"Sure Kasumi. You're probably right." "Where's Ranma? Did that jerk even remember it was my birthday?" Akane thought as she walked up the stairs to get changed. She sighed. "Probably not..."

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Ranma waited patiently in a tree at the park. He hoped Kasumi had managed to convince Akane to come out.

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Akane jogged into the park looking for the flowers Kasumi was talking about. "I wish she hadn't been so vague. I really want to get back."

Ranma was looking straight at Akane as she entered the park. "Good. She's here, Kasumi didn't let me down. Not like I thought she would." Ranma couldn't help but smile. He made sure he was out of sight and then as Akane passed under the tree he dropped down. He landed lightly and grabbed Akane by the shoulder. Instinctively, she turned around and swung a fist at whoever her assailant was. She stared in shock as her fist was caught.

"R-Ranma? What's this all about? I don't have time to be messing around with you right now, Baka!" Akane look furious at Ranma. This got even worse when Ranma just smiled.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Too slow, Tomboy."

"What?! RANMA!" Akane was about to pull her mallet out when Ranma just shook his head. This caused her to hesitate for a moment. "What?"

"First, you called me a baka first, so my insult is just in response to your own. Second, I meant that's why you didn't hit me"

"So, what does that have to do with anything? Do I look like I care right now?" Akane didn't at that moment. She noticed that she was too close to Ranma. Well, too close for her comfort anyway. Akane slightly blushed as she took a step back. Ranma just looked at her trying to figure out what was going on, as well as how he was going to word things.

"I'm going on a training trip."

"Good riddance. So what does that have to do with me?"

"I want you to go with me Akane."

"Why, Ranma?"

"You're slow, your technique is poor – even Kuno is a match for you right now." Akane's aura started to flare up immediately. Ranma simply shook his head. "I'm not trying to insult you like you think I am. Think about what I said. Ain't it true?"

Akane looked down at the ground. Her aura faded away. "Yeah, you're right Ranma..."

"Akane, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound that harsh. But look at it this way..."

Ranma uncomfortably took a small step closer to Akane and put a hand on her shoulder. "It's nothing that can't be fixed. That's why I'm going to train you."

"But why Ranma? Why all of a sudden are you going to train me?"

"Happy birthday Akane," Ranma smiled as he saw Akane's green eyes brighten again.

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End Chapter 1

Up next - Chapter 2: "The Beginning"