Hello! I've been a fan of Ranma 1/2 for a while now, and I finally got the chance to write something! Since it's an AU, some events will be tweaked a little, but I'll try my best with keeping all the characters in character. It's eventual Ranma and Akane with one-sided Akane and Dr. Tofu (I always liked that arc of the manga). Thanks for checking it out! Please do leave a review if you can! The description will probably have more things added in as this fic goes on.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma 1/2

Akane stared at the television screen, engrossed in the drama that was being broadcasted. It was show that was all the rage in Japan at the moment, and the scene where the male lead was about to confess to female lead was currently playing. She was sitting in the living room, along with the rest of the Tendo family, and they were all waiting with baited breath for the man to speak.

Just as the male lead had opened his mouth, ringing blared from the phone, overpowering the audio from the television. The Tendos collectively groaned at the timing.

Soun sighed, standing up. "I'll get it." He left the room in a hurry, not wanting to miss much more of the drama.

"Great, just when it was getting good too," Nabiki complained, sticking up an accusing hand at the screen. She scowled as the on screen couple began to kiss. "Dramas get so boring after the couples get together."

"Really? I think it's cute," Kasumi said, a smile spreading across her face as her eyes stayed glued to the screen.

"Of course you would Kasumi," Nabiki replied, and then patted her younger sister who was besides her on the back. "Akane, you would agree with me though, right?"

Kasumi nodded. "Oh, right. Akane never did really like stuff like this since she was young!"

"Yeah, she would get grossed out by stuff like this."

"Mhmm."

Akane didn't respond, playing with strands of her long hair, and looked over at her sisters. They were back to attentively watching what was on the screen, their previous discussion closed and done. For some reason, she couldn't help but feel a bit bothered by that. "Well, actually-"

Akane was interrupted by her father barging into the room, a wide grin on his face. "Girls!' he exclaimed. "I have good news!"

"What is it, Daddy? Did you get an extra big paycheck?" Nabiki asked.

"No-"

"Can you care about something other than money for once, Nabiki?" Akane said.

"No, Akane, I can't."

"Come on Nabiki, Akane, let Father speak," Kasumi interjected calmly.

"Thank you Kasumi," Soun said, sounding grateful for the eldest Tendo sister. "Well, as I was saying, the good news is that Ranma-"

Akane froze.

"-and his father are coming back to stay with us! I just got a call from Genma and he was asking if they could. "He said that they had run into some" trouble" during their trip in China. But either way, that's okay with you girls, right? "

Kasumi clasped her hands together. "Oh, yes that's fine! It's been so long since we've seen Ranma"

Akane stayed quiet.

"I'm fine with that too," Nabiki agreed. "This house will be fun again with them here. What's the trouble they had?"

Soun shrugged. "Genma didn't say, but I trust it won't be as bad as last time."

"Oh right, but that was hilarious," Nabiki said. She grinned. "I wonder what Ranma looks like now. He was cute kid. I bet puberty did him well."

Kasumi stifled back a laugh with her hand and lightly hit Nabiki on the arm. "Oh dear, Nabiki, of courses you would think about that." She startled Akane, by suddenly directing her attention at her. "You must be excited though, Akane. You two were so close back then!"

"Wasn't Ranma Akane's age?" Nabiki piped in. "He'd be sixteen too now, right?"

"Oh, I think he was! That's so great for you, Akane!"

"Ha. Yeah," Akane said, forcing a smile. Her expression hardened as conversations about the Saotomes continued around her, the air filling up with cheery chatter and laughs. Meanwhile, Akane stared bigger holes into her feet.

Ranma was coming back.

6 years ago

Rain falling like bullets around him, Genma Saotome checked his surroundings and then hurriedly entered a phone booth. Drenched from the rain, Genma punched in a number. He waited anxiously, listening to the ringing, while his son, Ranma, was fast asleep on his back.

"Tendo household, who is this?"

"Soun! My good ol' friend, how are ya?" Genma said, cheerily.

There was a pause. Then, sounding incredulous, Soun asked, "Genma?"

"Yes, it's me!"

"Genma! My god, I thought you were dead. How long has it been since we've talked?"

Genma whistled thoughtfully. "Ten years maybe? Did I tell you that I have a son now named Ranma, Soun?"

"A son?! Genma, you dog, when did you-"

"Listen, Soun," Genma cut him off. "Could I ask you for a favor?"

"A favor? Sure! Anything for an old friend."

"Could my son and I stay at your place for awhile?"

"Wha- why? Not that I don't mind, but that's such a sudden request."

Genma checked his surroundings and then talked in a hushed whisper. "Listen Soun, I've messed with the wrong people."

"What do you mean?"

"Yazuka members. I cheated Yakuza members on a game for some money and now they're after us! Can you believe it?"

"YAKUZA?" Soun yelled. "Genma, you gambled against Yakuza members? How did your life come to this point?"

"Oh, Soun, i have no idea!" Genma let out a hearty laugh, but stopped when Soun didn't join in. "Anyways, I'm just asking if we could camp out at your place for a short time, until everything blows over. How does that sound?"

"Bad, Genma. It sounds bad. What if the Yakuza members show up at our door?

"Oh don't worry about that Soun. There's no way they'll be able to follow us! I'm just asking because there's a lot more of them versus us on the streets, and it's a bit scary trying to sleep at night nowadays. Please? For my son?"

"Genma. Are you making your son live on the streets?"

"If you put it that way Soun, it makes it sound bad. I'm doing nothing more than training him to be a martial artist, you see?"

There was a long sigh from the other end, but Soun caved. "Alright, Genma. I'll let you stay , alright? This is more for your son though."

"Oh, Soun, my ol' friend, bless your heart!" Genma exclaimed. "This phone call is almost out of time, but we'll be there soon alright? See you soon!" With that, he hung up the phone and tapped his son with his fingers.

Ranma yawned and nestled his head back into his father's back. "What is it Pops?" he murmured.

Genma grinned. "We got a new place to stay at now, Ranma my boy!"

Perhaps the house isn't actually that big compared to other homes, but Ranma doesn't remember living in a house, ever, and finds the Tendo's to be huge. As soon as he's done admiring the size, however, he's met with a bear hug from a bearded man that he could only assume was Soun Tendo, his father's friend.

"So glad to be FINALLY meeting you, Ranma!" the man cried out, squeezing him tighter. "Genma never even told me about you before!" Genma let out an awkward chuckle. Ranma could only make a choking noise in response. Thankfully, the man let go of him and yelled, "Kids! Introduce yourselves!"

In a flurry of footsteps, Soun Tendo's daughters came running in. The first one, who was the tallest and had long brown hair gave Ranma a warm smile. "My name's Kasumi."

The one next to her had a brown hair cut into a bob and looked a bit disinterested at the younger boy. "I'm Nabiki."

The third one, who was the shortest of the group but still taller than Ranma, had short dark hair. The kid was wearing a pair of oversized overalls, and had a bandage plastered over their nose. They grinned at him, and extended out a hand. "I'm Akane! Nice to meet you, Ranma!"

"Akane's actually your age, Ranma. You two can be friends!" Soun said.

"Oh, that's great!" Genma commented.

Ranma smiled at Akane and took her hand and shook it. "Sounds good to me."

"Same here!"

Akane thought the new boy was kind of cute.

Meanwhile, Ranma thought that Akane was a boy.