Introducing: -----------------------------------
__________________________________Ranma ½ Fanfic Production:

A SECOND CHANCE TO LOVE…

Part One:

Lazy drizzle swept across the peaceful streets of Nerima. The quiet surroundings seemed to contradict the memories of a certain martial artist as he dragged heavy footsteps towards the Tendo Dojo. In his hand clutched a worn out bag, an exhausted man whom have wandered for quite some years.

Slowly, the man approached the Tendo residence with great hesitation. A distant smile lit up his handsome face as he knocked on the door in his signature rhythm. A voice sweetly rang out, " Just a moment!" A pretty woman of twenty-eight years old gently opened the door and gasped when she realized the identity of the visitor. "Oh my, Ranma-kun," exclaimed Kasumi Tendo.

"Hi there, Kasumi," Ranma nervously waved before catching the unconscious lady.

*****

"Ranma-kun, please have some tea." Kasumi beamed her #famous# smile before settling down at the low Japanese table. "How long has it been since we've last seen you?" Kasumi gently asked as she kept an eye on her two daughters Yumi and Natsumi.

"It has been seven years since I left," Ranma replied while seemingly searching for signs of older memories when he and his father's presence in the house years ago. "Ahh… How's everybody so far?"

"Oh, right now I'm happily married to Tofu-sensei and devoting my time to the house and my children. Otousan had passed away two years later after you left and your father had gone back to the Saotome's residence. Nabiki is doing fine in her export and trading business and lives apart from us in her own apartment,"

Ranma nodded, he always knew Nabiki would have a terrific career or whatever the future has in store for her. Ranma clutched his nervous palms and shakily asked, "How about Akane? What has she been doing?" Kasumi's cheerful expression nearly fell for a second but she recovered in time.

"Oh my," Kasumi carefully answered. "Akane-chan had fallen into depression for quite some time when Otousan died. She would reassure us that she's fine and all, yet she has never went back to her old lifestyle. She had given up on martial arts and takes care of the dojo. She hires other sensei to teach the students here and concentrates on the management and promotions of the dojo. She had not dated a single young man since your departure." Ranma felt a loosening of tightness in his chest that he was not aware of and Kasumi caught this reaction with a gentle beam.

Kasumi chuckled, "Not that I think you really are concerned about the rest of our well-being, but Ranma-kun seemed more relaxed when you hear that Akane was unattached, huh?" Ranma attempted to stutter out a denial but Kasumi interrupted him, "Akane no longer lives with us, but she will be coming home tonight for the family reunion visit once a year together with Nabiki and will be staying for about a month. Tofu-chan will be back soon and I'm sure he'll lend you something nice to wear for your first meeting with Akane-chan." With a mischievous wink, Kasumi pushed Ranma into the guestroom; "Meanwhile you'll be staying here. Right?"

Ranma laughed, embarrassed and entered the guestroom to freshen up. Kasumi turned back to the kitchen to prepare the reunion meal, a hopeful smile lit up her face as she whispered, "A few years is enough for you to reconcile with Akane-chan. This couple is just too stubborn for their own good." A sly smile cross her pretty face as she whispered under breath, "A little nudge or too wouldn't hurt to hasten the pace for them though."

*****

Ranma stretched himself out on the futon and sighed as he started to recall the treasured memories of Akane and himself living in Tendo-ke and studying at Furiinkan High. "So much has changed around here. I just hope everything is not too late yet."

Ranma opened his bag pack and retrieved out a photograph. On the faded paper, a cute girl with short, dark blue hair turned to the camera while sipping from a straw was seemingly looking back at Ranma through her warm, chocolate brown eyes. He wistfully stared at the slightly burnt photo as a single drop of tear fell and he traced the outline of Akane's form, the incident that caused the engagement between them to end flashed in his mind in recollection once more...

~End of Part One~