All rights and characters belong to the Rumikio Takahashi.
This is a tale that will be flexible and input is welcome. I am new at this and this is my first fanfic. I am attempting after several years of not writing due to having a child and general life stuff to finish this to move on to more work on my actual original fiction and poetry. I am hoping doing more work on this will ease my writer's block. We will see I suppose. Despite that this idea has been done before, some of my ideas will be new at least to me and I am not planning on redoing the whole series. This story is simply meant to be a little slice of a different perspective.
Chapter one: Choosing a follower?
It was a cold fall day in Nerima with a slight breeze making the drizzle of rain even worse. Soun Tendo was busy entertaining three guests although his heart was not in it. For Soun it was only too recently since his wife had passed away for him to really rejoice at seeing some of his old friends. The visitors were the Saotome family, Genma, Nodoka, and their young boy Ranma. Ranma was at the moment making friends with Akane out in the garden as they played a game of tag. Nabiki was nowhere to be found, and Kasumi was playing the hostess serving the adults as they discussed life in general.
"Soun I have a proposal to make to you" Genma spoke seriously. "I have been considering going on a training trip for some time with my own son, but he has shown little inclination to go. Ranma seems to hold more of an interest in staying with his mother," Nodoka elbows Genma in the ribs at this. "And becoming a sort of momma's boy. I used the traditional test of letting the boy pick between a ball and a sword. He picked the ball." Genma grumbled and received a murderous glare from Nodoka and gulps nervously before continuing,"And learning Nodoka's excellent family art of Kabuki and Noh theatre arts. Plus you know as well as I that the family histories clearly state the Legend of Tears will be suffered by a girl child," Genma nearly spits these last words and frowns in obvious disgust.
Nodoka smiled at this. Seeing his wife no longer wishing his death, Genma continues after a nervous glance at Nodoka. "So seeing as how you have your hands full and all I thought I would offer to take some of you burden. I still want to go on this training trip and wish to take one of your daughters with me. It suits the needs of everyone concerned and honors both families. In return Nodoka and Ranma will with your permission move in and assist with your house. I will take whichever daughter you feel is most suitable and begin training her in clan traditions for the trials."
Soun stared dumbfounded at the idea that Genma was proposing until a remembered promise put a spark in his eyes. "What of our promise to join the families?"
"That will still be met after we return, then both children will be proficient in the schools of all the families to be able to take over the dojo after marriage. You help Nodoka train mine boy and I will train your girl."
"I still feel this promise is rather premature on both your parts especially since we are not sure who will be chosen for the trials regardless of who is trained and presented." Nodoka interjected.
"And what about the safety of my child on this 'little trip' of yours Genma?" Soun inquired with a teary eye before wailing, "What guarantee do I have that you will properly train my baby girl? And what of the training for the clan Concords?"
Genma put his finger to his lips and produced a thick booklet of papers, "It is all in here. Nodoka already approved it since she realizes that I will not budge on this training trip and recognizes the necessity. She took the liberty of formulating the rules that will have to be followed." Genma frowned at this until Nodoka whacked him over the back of the head with said booklet with a resounding *THWACK*
Still sobbing a bit Soun looked over the document mumbling, "No slavery...that is good. Must know basic family skills...good. Will be trained in accordance with what is needed for the trials and in accordance with the concords. Acceptable." He looked up doubtfully at Genma, "Are you sure you are up to this? Normally, this amount of preparation would be handled by the whole clan."
"The girl you choose to go along on this training trip will be back before you know it Soun. I have already contacted the other families. They are going to help with the training. Plus in my stead per our arrangement Nodoka and Ranma will move here to help prepare and assist with the training of the remaining children, including Ranma." assured Genma.
Soun finished reading the documents and appeared pleased with the details of the contract. The final section outlining that the clans would be joined upon approval of the outcome of the training trip of the chosen child by all three parents concerned. "I am pleased with this and this still allows flexibility in choosing who will marry whom. I think we should wait until the outcome of this before informing the children. For my own children's sake it is too soon for them since their mother passed away for them to be troubled by such trivial concerns. Plus they are all too young." Soun proceeded then to put his seal on the document. Then Genma and Nodoka both signed their respective signatures with their clan seals.
"There that is done with. So who shall I take with me Soun?"
"Well Kasumi seems to have an interest in staying home, and Nabiki seems to be extremely withdrawn. Akane is the only one who has openly shown any interest in the clan arts whatsoever so I think she would be the perfect choice." Soun smiled broadly at his logic.
"That sounds good to me Soun. Shall we inform her of our decision?" Inquired Genma.
Soun called in Kasumi from the kitchen and asked her to get Ranma and Akane from the garden. When Kasumi returned from fetching the two playing youngsters Soun asked his daughters if any of them had seen Nabiki. Kasumi left quickly saying she knew where her younger sister had went and returned shortly with a stony faced Nabiki.
"Children we have an announcement to make. Akane is going with Genma Saotome on an extended training trip. Genma is a long time friend of the family as you know and will make sure that Akane will be trained in accordance with clan traditions." Soun smiled at Nodoka for this while the children sat in shock before pandemonium erupted with lots of questions and people talking at the same time. Akane seemed excited. Ranma appeared bored and simply shrugged his shoulders. Nabiki looked interested while Kasumi simply smile a little bit grateful she had not been picked to go on the training trip.
The next day after a hurried night of goodbyes and packing with the help of Nodoka, Akane was waiting by the front gate as everyone showed up for a final goodbye. Genma and Akane left shortly after a final round of hugs and tears. Akane skipped lightly behind Genma as the headed off into the early morning sunrise, ready to take on the world.
***********
About ten years later a young woman in a blue shirt and black pants of Chinese design walked hurriedly through the rain in front of a drenched panda that appeared to be attempting to slow her down. Carrying an umbrella the young woman seemed to be intent on not getting wet. She suddenly turned in a fighting stance towards the panda behind her. The residents of Nerima sensing yet another fight to break out, although this one odder than most, backed away carefully to a safe watching distance.
"I tell you Pops I am going home. I haven't seen my family in years. I don't care what you say! Enough is enough. I know the training isn't finished but I have reached my limits! Now if you want to fight about this then so be it, but don't ever say I didn't warn you." The teenager shouted at the panda before doing a flying leap kick at its head. Successfully connecting, she dodged a paw aimed at her midsection and preceded to kick the panda in the head repeatedly till it fell over.
"Hmpf. Less grace then I normally prefer but it gets the job done." She then turned around and proceeded to continue farther into Nerima. Unfortunately she did not get far before the panda began chasing her again and appeared to be begging by the way it was kneeling before the girl and posturing pitifully with growling sounds.
"No I told you. I am going home. Too bad old man, I will let you and my father sort this one out. This is all your and his fault anyway! You guys, and your stupid ideas. I dunno what I was thinking. A great adventure to be a hero, hah! I guess the joke is on me now!" She sighed and shook her head forcefully. The young woman and the panda continue this until sort of interaction until they arrived at a predetermined location. The young woman smiled bitterly and whispered, "Home at last." And then a large sluice of water came off the entryway covering and blew past the umbrella to soak the now young and slightly paler young man. "Crap. This sucks." He muttered under his breath before ringing the door bell.
***********
Soun was excited as he checked the mail and took a better look at a postcard of a panda. The message stated simply we are coming home from China soon and was signed by Akane. Soun was elated to finally meet the young woman his daughter must have grown up to be. He was also excited to have his good friend coming home since his concerns with the clan Concords and trials would be resolved upon their arrival. All round Soun was beaming as he ran around the house informing everyone that he had good news. Soun waited with great anticipation. Once everyone had arrived Soun announced the return of Akane and Genma at long last. There was much excitement.