Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.

With the Band
by pahlee

This is an alternative universe fanfiction where in this world, there are no curses. Just two people who fall in love.

Set 1: Notice

Gorgeous.

The lead singer of Japan's most promising band hesitated for a mere second in his set; however, that did not stop him as he continued on with the song. All the screaming fans did not seem to notice the little mishap, but his fellow band mates did. From his peripheral vision, he caught his guitarist cast him a wayward glance.

He berated himself for allowing a slip up like that to arise, but despite his conscience, he scanned the crowd again.

There.

In the midst of the roaring fans stood the girl who had accosted him his momentary fault. She stood alongside two girls who looked to be the normal attendees of a concert such as this with their all-too familiar appearance that was commonly associated with this kind of crowd. She stood there clad in his newest band shirt design, which was being sold in the lobby, and black skinny jeans that hugged her form perfectly. Her hair was so black that it seemed blue when the lights overhead struck against it and it was in the form of a short cut that framed her face.

Ranma Saotome, 22-year old vocalist, finished off the song and yelled a thank-you to the crowd. The screams in return were the cue for the band to give their last bow and leave the stage. They left in a form of a line waving good night and good-bye to the crowd.

#

"God! He's so damn hot!" cried out Sayuri, who was jumping alongside Yuka as they badly sang along.

"Ranma-kun, let me be your baby momma!" shouted Yuka, waving her arms wildly and giggling madly.

"Yuka!" Akane hissed, taken back by her friends' antics. As expected, she was ignored by her friends who continued with their weird displays of admiration for the band with their antics. She let out a frustrated sigh and ran one hand through her hair briefly before crossing her arms in a bored manner. Rolling her eyes, she could feel the incoming headache that would be the result from this evening. Akane Tendo, 21 (soon to be 22)-year old annoyed concert attendee, was not used to this kind of environment. Although, she looked up at the stage and stared at the singer, she had to admit that he was cute.

And it could have been her imagination, or the results of a migraine setting in, but she was sure that he had hesitated in his song, for just a brief moment. But, if it did happen, it was so miniscule that she just assumed it was part of the song, seeing how the audience did not take any notice. Akane groaned as her friends continued on with their behavior by screaming even more perverted comments towards the stage.

This kind of outing was not something that Akane normally partook in, but it was Yuka's birthday and her parents had got her three tickets for the show, plus back stage passes. The night was just beginning.

#

"What happened back there?" Ryoga asked as he grabbed a soda can and plopped down on the sofa, "Ain't like you to mess up during a performance like that."

"Saw something in the crowd you liked?" Mousse added.

"No, guys, not something, somebody, eh, am I right Ranma?" Shinnosuke jeered while him and Mousse knuckle bumped with an 'oo-h'.

The three young men all turned their eyes towards their fellow band mate. Each raised a respective eyebrow in anticipation for his answer.

Ranma waved his arms wildly as he replied, "Yeah, yeah, my fault there. But," he grinned, "Since ya asked, there was this -" But the sudden door opening cut him off as their manager came bursting in with a clipboard in her hand. "Good show tonight, boys, good job, and congratulations all around!"

All four boys turned to watch their ever-so-present (prick-of-a) manager Ukyo Kuonji give them a smile. Though, it seemed as thought the smile seemed kind of forced. A low collective grumble of thanks made it to her ears as she let out a sigh and held up the clipboard, "Well, anyways, tonight we only allowed three backstage passes. So be sure to be on your best behavior smile, sign whatever they want you to sign, and pose modestly in any picture they wish to take. Yadda, yadda - you guys know the drill, okay?" She lowered the clipboard only to be greeted by bored looks, so she finished off, "Security is escorting them as I speak." The boys just grunted in confirmation. Ukyo felt her temple throb as she turned to leave, "Behave yourselves, boys."

The clicking of the door signaled an all clear for the guys as they went back to their business. Ryoga was now sitting up and had his attention back on Ranma, "Go on bro, finish what you were gonna say before the fans get here."

Ranma gave a smile and opened his mouth to continue when the doors swung open to two burly men dressed in black with the words "security" written across their chests. Behind them were three girls who were giggling loudly, well, two of them at least.

The band turned and all gave their smiles and greeted the girls. Sayuri and Yuka were glued at the hip as they giggled into their cupped hands. Akane had her arms across her chest as she let out a heavy sigh and just gave a small smile. Shinnosuke spoke first, "What are your names?"

As if her friends could not get any more obnoxious, they let loose a series of giggle fits as they stated their names, then everyone turned to look at Akane.

The moment she set foot in the room, Ranma's heart began to beat a little bit more erratic as his eyes followed her. He anticipated for a name – her name. His actions did not go unnoticed by Ryoga who then smirked at the situation at hand.

Akane smiled, "Hitomi."

Yuka and Sayuri glared at their friend, their eyes boring into her soul. Akane shuddered as she felt their piercing gazes but made no effort to undo what she did. They did not need to know her real name, this was all for show anyways.

The boys all greeted the girls and signed the CDs that they brought along. They even posed in some shots with them. Akane, on the other, got her CD signed and then retreated to the sofa that was sitting off to the side. Brushing her hair behind her ear and crossing her legs, she closed her eyes and tried to do a breathing exercise to relieve her headache. That plan was ruined when she was interrupted by, "Is this your first concert?"

Unbeknownst to her, Ranma's attention was on her. His conversations with the other girls were mindless as his eyes kept trailing over to her form across the room. He noticed she held a conversation with Shinnosuke.

"Yeah," she said as she watched him take the seat on the edge of the couch next to her.

Author's Note
All right, this was the chapter long series that I mentioned in Ordinary Days, and so here is chapter (set) one! Hopefully it caught your attention to read. It is an alternative universe, and basically I am just borrowing Takahashi's characters to portray this story. I intend to make this a more lighthearted, comedic, tale.

So, thank you, once again for reading. :)

7/19/2012
I went back and fixed the spelling and grammar mistakes that were in this chapter. Hopefully I got them all out of there! :)