. l i g h t s .
SunshineGirl09
Characters do not belong to me.
Chapter 1: The Deal
I wasn't always known for the best of things. In fact, I was mostly known for my constant anger. People considered me to be violent. They were actually often afraid of me. My martial arts skills were pretty high, causing them the fear, but I only beat up boys. They deserved it though, constantly asking me out. Seriously.
Inside of my heart, I knew it wasn't girly to hurt guys. Actually, I was certain that it was tomboyish. Still, that's just how I was. Even though I really do care about my appearance and I'm afraid of spiders, everyone expects me to be tough so I can't show weakness.
Besides ... I hated boys.
It was about noon, a couple weeks into September, when I heard first found out about the deal. I was cheerfully having a snack which included rice and slices of watermelon when I heard my father, Tendo Soun, bound about the kitchen, speaking to my older sister Kasumi in a rushed tone.
Curious, I set down the bowl of rice and padded to the corner by the kitchen, peeking my head around.
"Kasumi!" Soun cried. "They'll be arriving soon! What should we make for them to eat?"
He was frantically pacing while my sister just smiled sweetly.
"Odo-san," She addressed him. "Don't worry. I'll have something prepared."
Soun laid on his knees, crying tears of joy. I rolled my eyes watching his performance.
"Arigato, Kasumi!" Soun thanked, nodding up and down, tugging at the hem of her skirt.
I sighed at my ridiculous father as I rounded the corner and returned to my meal. For a moment, I didn't feel very hungry, suddenly remembering that we were having guests and a meal would be made pretty soon, so I considered bringing the food up to my other older sister Nabiki, who was probably scheming something in her room. Shaking my head, I sat in my seat, deciding to eat anyways.
Just as I picked up my chopsticks and raised the rice to my lips, someone ran straight past me. I saw a flash of red before I was flat on my face.
I shook my head, snapping out of the daze I was in and sat up stiffly, looking around to see who had knocked me over.
There was a sound of something skidding to a stop around the corner. Then I stood up, peering over to the right as I heard quick footsteps retreating back towards me.
A boy with a red shirt and small black ponytail panted for breath.
"G-Gomen!" he huffed a few more times. Then he turned back around screaming, "Oi! Pops!"
After that he disappeared again.
I blinked, placing my hands on my hips. What a troublesome boy. I'd hate to have to deal with him. Was he supposed to be the "guest" that my father was talking about? I wasn't so sure that I liked him. Even though he apologized, it wasn't very polite! Especially since he didn't even help me up ... further explaining my reasoning to hate boys.
Well. There was one boy that I did like. To tell you the truth, he wasn't really a boy, yet not quite a man. His name was Tofu-sensei, otherwise known as Dr. Tofu. Tofu was one of the only guys who was really nice to me and paid attention to my problems. He was polite, kind and sensitive. There was one issue though. He was completely in love with Kasumi ... my older sister.
I love Kasumi to death but I can't help but be envious. She has long beautiful hair, an amazing smile and a to-die-for body. But she'd totally oblivious to Tofu's obsession with her. I just don't understand. Tofu can hardly speak around her! She just smiles and replies, "Tofu-sensei, you're so silly!"
That's why I always stand there, my mouth dropped probably a little to dramatically when I'm watching them.
Honestly, I grew my hair out for Tofu, thinking that he only liked girls with long hair because of my sister, but still he doesn't notice me anymore. Of course, he always pays attention to me but he doesn't act around me like he does around Kasumi ... that's how I know he doesn't like me in that way.
Then again, how could he like the tomboy girl who's the pride of her father's doujo? It was true. I was the only child who continued to learn at the Tendo doujo simply because I have no brothers and Kasumi and Nabiki didn't take martial arts from my dad. Kasumi was cute, cuddly and not a tomboy.
It seemed like there was no one out there who really understood me. No one could relate in martial arts ... or thoughts. I was just a lonely tomboy. Still, I had many friends at school. They all looked up to me and there were lots of guys who wanted to ask me out, challenging me in order to win my heart. But that wasn't understanding me.
Something suddenly interrupted my thoughts. Screaming.
"POP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" It was a females voice strangely. I didn't even recognize it or see a women walk in the door.
Just then, a busty girl scrambled out from the bathroom, exhaling deeply. It was strange. She was wearing the same shirt as the boy who had run me over minutes ago.
I quirked an eyebrow suspiciously.
That wasn't weird at all.
"A-Ano ... hi?" The strange girl chuckled nervously. "I ... uh ... better ... POPS!"
She pointed straight behind me and darted past my still body. I turned to see her leap at a ...shit was that a panda?
My eyes widened.
"What the hell is that doing in here?" I demanded, placing my feet into a wide, defensive stance.
I didn't need to though. The girl was all over the black and white panda, who was constantly holding up signs that read Help me! I stood upright, crossing my arms and distributing most of my weight into my left hip as I stared at them.
Something was seriously messed up here.
"Why'd you hafta splash water on me, huh?" The girl shrieked, yanking on the panda's left ear.
She pulled so hard I almost winced but then I remembered that the panda wasn't a human, though it constantly reminded me of one with the chibi faces it was casting towards me.
Finally, I was sick and tired of their quarrel and I decided to do something about it. Stalking over to wear my rice and watermelon slice were once places, I grabbed one of the legs of the table. Then with one yank, I thrust the entire piece of furniture upward and launched it at the two duelers.
"What the hell?" The redhead girl cried, dodging the table, nearly getting her head chopped off in the process.
"Stop fighting." I grumbled, walking over to them, detaching her hands that were around the panda's neck from it's fur.
"Hn." She stared away from me. "He pisses me off."
I squinted at her with one eye.
"He?" I questioned.
"Yes he!" She growled as if it was so obvious. "My goddamn da-"
The panda quickly whacked her on the head.
It was clearly odd. The pair seemed to be hiding something. They knew something that I didn't and it pissed me off but I kept my mouth shut, considering they were "guests".
"Strange." Soun's voice came from behind me. "I saw Genma a minute ago. Where did he disappear to?" My father turned to the hall and called out "Genma!" really loudly.
In front of me, the panda and girl squirmed uncomfortably.
I sighed.
"Is there anything you need?"
"A bath!" The girl exclaimed immediately. She covered her mouth quickly, a giggle escaping. "I mean, a bath would be nice."
I clicked my tongue in annoyance as I spun on my heel, motioning for her to follow. When she came along, I noticed extra footsteps and turned.
To my irritation, the panda also accompanied us.
"The panda's coming to?" I inquired, bothered.
The redhead smirked deviously.
"Nope!" She agreed, shoving the large panda aside.
I got a glimpse of the panda's sign.
Traitor.
And I swear I heard the girl tell him, "Sucks for you," as she pushed him away.
"Whatever." I mumbled at the weird scene.
Normally, I wasn't bothered by girls, but this female represented a boy so much it was hard to comprehend. I mean, I was a tomboy, but I was still sensitive like most girls. This redhead seemed to have the heart of a guy, shoving the poor panda. I mean, I didn't hate pandas it was just odd to have one in my house. I didn't see it necessary to be so mean to it. That girl seriously acted like a guy ... the worst kind too, with an ego the size of Japan and everything to back it up.
"Here's your bath," I informed her, sliding open the door to the room upstairs.
"Ah, thank you." She smiled genuinely, which almost made me have a change of heart.
I nodded, turning to leave.
"I'll be back later with towels."
"Oh you won't need -!" She stopped abruptly. "Uh ... okay?"
I raised an eyebrow but left her there by the tub when I closed the door.
She certainly was weird but not hopeless. Good at heart right? I wondered why she was here anyways. The same went for the panda. I mean what the hell was a panda doing in our house? I mean honestly how the heck did it even get here? Obviously the redhead must've brought him because she was so familiar with it.
By the staircase was a cupboard, which I opened and reached in until my fingers brushed against something soft. The towel.
I cradled it in my arms as I walked back to the bathroom with the girl in it. When I arrived to the door, I balanced the big towel in my other arm as I turned the door handle.
"Here's your- WHAT THE HELL?"
In front of me, soaking in the tub, was definitely not a girl. It was the same boy who had knocked me over, naked in the water.
I dropped the towel and screamed, darting out the door, not even looking back.
"YOU CAN AT LEAST CLOSE THE DOOR!" He cried after me, angrily.
I had my back up against the door of my room, panting, heart beating fast.
I definitely don't want to do that again!
"I see you've met Ranma." Standing over me was a large, masculine man wearing a light blue durag, dripping wet with hot water.
That was the first time I had heard his name.
"Where the hell is the panda anyways?" I grumbled, sitting at the table.
Across from me was the boy Ranma, both of us shooting evil glares at each other every moment our eyes met.
"Perhaps we should explain," The man with the durag suggested.
Around the table sat my sisters, my father, Ranma, his father, and me.
"My name's Saotome Genma-"
"I know that! Saotome-kun!" Soun slapped him playfully on the back and Genma returned the grin.
Before they could start a conversation on "old times" Nabiki broke in.
"So what were you saying?" She asked boredly, obviously knowing it probably didn't involve a profit, let alone money.
Genma cleared his throat.
"Ahem. I'm Ranma's father-"
"I know tha-" Genma cut Soun off.
"Wait Tendo-kun." He said.
My father nodded and Nabiki and I rolled our eyes, while glancing at each other mutually.
"I'm Ranma's father and the reason that we change ... uh form-" Genma paused, looking at Ranma who stuck his tongue out. "-Is because while training in China we fell into the cursed springs."
Soun squinted, looking closer at his old pal before bursting out laughing.
"Haha! You actually did?" he guffawed, rolling around.
I didn't know what the "cursed springs" was but it sounded really weird. Did he mean springs as in hot springs? Like a pool of water? It was in China too. I had never been to China so I wouldn't know. There was one more thing that caught my attention the most. Training? Was Ranma a martial artist also?
Genma coughed.
"Yes. So basically-"
"When doused with cold water you turn into a panda or a girl." Nabiki concluded. "And when hot water is poured on you it turns you back." She was devious but Nabiki was clever.
Ranma grunted, confirming.
"Yeah. If pops over there hadn't gotten me wet in the bathroom we-" He looked at me. "Wouldn't have had a misunderstanding!"
I huffed, crossing my arms stubbornly.
"Don't blame him." I retorted. "If you would've told me, I never would've come back with the towel!"
Ranma stood up before he retaliated and I followed, getting to my feet.
"You'd think that I was crazy!" He cried. "That'd be suicide!"
"Oh yeah?" I challenged, anger flowing through my veins. "Well now I'm scarred for life!"
"Psh." Ranma waved his hand dismissively. "You didn't even see anything!"
I gripped the table, preparing to throw it at him, but Kasumi, sitting to my right, tugged at my sleeve.
"Don't throw the table, Akane." She cheerfully said, pulling me back down.
I breathed, fire most likely excavating from my nostrils.
"Tch." Ranma took a seat. "Anger issues."
Genma cleared his throat once more.
"Tendo-kun and I had a deal-"
"Before you were born." Soun added, nodding.
"That my son ..."
"And one of my daughters would marry." Soun smiled encouragingly. "Isn't that great?"
My jaw dropped and Nabiki blinked. Kasumi, as oblivious as ever, just smiled and nodded.
"Who's closest to Ranma-kun's age?" She asked Soun.
I was actually curious about that but didn't speak up. There was no way that I was marrying him.
"How old is Ranma?" My father asked, Genma, not knowing himself.
"16!" Genma smiled confidently, giving a thumbs up.
Shit that means-
"Akane!" Nabiki hugged me tightly, though I felt her cheering was more sarcastic and mocking than happy. "Congratulations!"
My eyebrow twitched. This was the exact predicament that I expected myself to be in today.
Ranma jumped up.
"I'm not marrying her!"
"Well I'm not marrying you! I sprang to my feet, pointing at him accusingly.
"Aw!" My father and Genma chimed. "They're having their first love quarrel!"
"Wouldn't be the first," Nabiki muttered, amused, under her breath.
"We are not!" Ranma and I cried in sync, then stared at each other passively.
There was no way that I could marry a male and female! Gross! Besides he was such a jerk.
I couldn't possibly accept him as my fiance ever.
A/N: Hey guys! I suppose I'll lose all my reviewers switching animes lolz. I need to do something new. Don't get mad guys! If you haven't read or seen Ranma 1/2 I highly recommend it! It's a really great anime/manga! If you liked Naruto you would like it. I love Ranma and Akane. They're probably one of my favorite anime couples because no matter what, you always end up cheering for them! XD So yes. Here's a new story told differently. New situations, new interpretations, and romance ^_^ It's so Ranma~! I hope you like the beginning so far! Please review!