A/N: Hi again! Welcome to the first chapter, and thank you to all of those who reviewed! I was surprised to see how active this community still is considering how old Ranma is, but it warms my heart to know people are still actively reading and writing fic for this lovely fandom. Several of you had questions about the premise of this story, so what I can say is that it will follow mostly the same major events as the manga but with a few slight twists here and there. Basically just think of it as a retelling of Ranma re-imagined in a more spiritual setting. Anyways, on with the story! Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter One: Meeting

Akane Tendo stood in the great hall of her family's shrine, eyes closed and in silence. Only the steady rise and fall of her chest could be seen, otherwise her body was perfectly still. Before her a simple wooden box was laid upon the floor. To the uninformed passerby she might have seemed quite strange, as if she were praying to this mysterious box. But Akane was concentrating intently on chanting a certain set of incantations over and over.

Focus… focus… ah, there!

"HYAH!" Akane let out a cry and slashed her hand down in one swift movement. There was a deafening scream as a dark entity leapt from the box and quickly dissipated into the air.

"Found you," Akane smirked and assumed an offensive stance, "You won't get away that easily!"

With another set of short, quick movements, she had forced the entity to manifest itself again. It was a small, rabid little thing seething with anger and squirming menacingly before focusing its wrath upon her. But Akane was unfazed and charged forth.

After an expertly placed punch here, a kick there, and another punch here for good measure the dark spirit was neutralized and whimpered pitifully as it slinked back to the nether from which it came.

"And don't come back, you here!" Akane grinned cheekily and clapped her hands together. Another job well done.

"Oh, thank you Akane!" an elderly woman who had been hiding behind the hall's entrance stepped forth.

"No problem," the younger girl smiled and handed the box to her, "It was luckily just a mischievous little spirit who was bored, though that doesn't give him any excuse to terrorize us. Take these talismans and place them on your door every night for a week and you shouldn't have any further troubles, ne?"

The old woman thanked her again before departing back towards the village. Akane sighed and stretched her hands above her head. Today's exorcism went well, but it was only a lesser spirit. She still had a long way to go before she could tackle the stronger ones, not that she had ever encountered one in the first place. But if the time comes she needs to be ready, especially since someday she was expected to succeed her father and become head priestess of the Tendo Shrine.

"Akane!" a young woman called from the hall's entrance, "Breakfast is ready!"

"Thanks, Kasumi!" Akane replied, "I'll have a quick bath first."

"In that case, I'll come help you get dressed after," Kasumi smiled, "It's a special day today, isn't it?"

Oh yeah, that's right. Today was her 18th birthday.

This year was an especially momentous occasion since it marked the transition from girlhood to womanhood by the laws of the land. She was now of maritable age – except she didn't care about that, she hated boys after all – and could officially succeed her father as head of the shrine. Though she was the youngest, she was by far the most capable to inherit the shrine. Kasumi and Nabiki were quite different and neither showed any inclination for the spiritual arts. They were able to practice a few simple incantations and rituals here and there, but Akane was the one who had been born with all the remarkable spiritual ability.

"Oh!" Kasumi suddenly stopped in her tracks. Akane collided with her elder sister's back with an unceremonious, "Oof!"

"Auntie Nodoka," bowed the eldest Tendo, "We were not expecting you this morning. How good it is of you to come."

Standing before them was a tall, slender woman who regarded them with eyes that radiated warmth and kindness. She was a remarkably beautiful woman who was always clad in such richly colored kimonos and simple yet elegant accessories. There was never a single hair or fold out of place in her appearance, and her mannerisms always exuded the utmost grace and elegance. Nodoka was the perfect embodiment of feminine propriety – many sometimes wondered if she was even human. Akane was suddenly briskly aware of how awful she must have looked in comparison, still sporting her sweat-soaked gi.

"My apologies, dearest Kasumi," Nodoka smiled, "I should have sent a messenger along sooner, but I was so eager to deliver Akane's gift myself."

"A gift? For me?" she blushed, "You didn't have to get me anything, auntie…"

"But it's a very special occasion, is it not?" the woman moved to slightly unravel the parcel in her arms, revealing a vibrant red cloth underneath, "I specially prepared a kimono for you and wanted to see you wear it today."

Akane was touched. Though she could only see a sample of the cloth, it was so beautiful. She didn't deserve such a gift.

"Thank you…"

"Were you just on your way to the bath? I could wash your back for you and help you dress after so Kasumi can return to her duties."

Kasumi thanked her before returning to the main house. Nodoka and Akane shared a smile before heading towards the bath.

The bath felt warm and soothing. Akane sighed and felt the tension leave her muscles. Why did she feel so unnerved today? The exorcism this morning was a simple one and had not depleted her chi at all, yet for some reason she felt anxious and stressed. It almost seemed like something very dramatic were about to occur…

But she could not think of any reason to feel that way. It was only her 18th birthday, and though it marked her transition to adulthood it wasn't like things were going to be any different, right?

Akane leaned back in the bath and splashed some of the warm water against her face. As she held her hands above the water, she studied the glistening red band encircling her little finger. It was almost undetectable, but under just the right lighting and the right focus she could make out a faint, crimson glimmer. This faint thread had been tied to her for as long as she could remember. It was not anything physical she could grasp, so she surmised it must have been something tying her to the ethereal realm. Red knots were after all the symbol of connection between two entities. To what she did not know, and whenever she asked her father he had always feigned ignorance.

"Is something troubling you, my dear?" Nodoka inquired.

"Oh no, I'm alright" Akane said, "I was just thinking about certain things... nothing of great importance."

"You must be so excited for today, ne? I remember the day of my debut as a woman… my, I was so nervous I thought I might have fainted."

As the woman continued to regale her with stories of her girlhood, Akane felt calmed by Nodoka's soothing voice. Auntie Nodoka was a rather mysterious woman, come to think of it. She did not live in Nerima village nor anywhere near it as far as she knew, and there were no other settlements around for quite some distance. It was very unlike a woman to travel alone, especially one so proper as Nodoka, so where did she come from? And whenever she visited, she always seemed to pay particular attention to Akane.

Not that she minded it very much. Truthfully Akane was grateful for the older woman's companionship. Perhaps it was because of Nodoka's maternal nature. Her own mother had passed when Akane was very young, so she never really had the luxury of knowing what she was like. Kasumi and Nabiki were several years older so they remembered her better, but all Akane knew were the stories her father and siblings told. It would be nice to have a mother like Nodoka, she thought with a smile.

Akane's breath caught in her throat when she saw the full, unraveled kimono. It was a deep, lovely red patterned with gold trees and hills. The obi itself was also a rich, shimmery gold, and the accessories were shaped in the form of leaves and flowers. The ensemble had a very earthy feel, which was appropriate considering how entwined the Tendo shrine was to nature. Never in her life had she worn such a lovely robe. All her other formal ones were hand-me-downs from Kasumi and Nabiki.

"It's beautiful," she ran her fingers along the smooth fabric, briefly wondering if she could even do the garment justice.

Kasumi was undoubtedly the pretty one in the family. Nabiki too was attractive, although her appearance was more alluring than Kasumi's traditional beauty. Akane, on the other hand, wasn't sure how she ranked in comparison. Some of the boys in the village did refer to her as cute, but she didn't know how sincere they actually were. She cringed briefly when she remembered how much of a chore it was whenever she entered the village – they constantly attacked her due to that stupid announcement Tatewaki Kuno made. Ugh, the name alone was enough to make her want to take another bath. But she often wondered if they actually hoped to win her affections or if they just did as Kuno told, since he was son of the village leader after all.

Well, in any case, all that didn't matter. She was never going to marry any of them, or anyone for that matter. She had long ago resolved to dedicate herself as a priestess of the Tendo shrine. She already belonged to the spirit of the forest, as she liked to joke.

Not all people were born able to sense or communicate with beings from the ethereal realm, but most of the villagers at least did not doubt the forest spirit's existence. Akane had always been able to feel the forest spirit's presence. She closed her eyes again. At times it was strong and formidable, like the northern wind. At other times it was soft and warm. But no matter what it was always swirling with conviction and determination, something she greatly admired about it.

"There, you look beautiful."

Nodoka stepped back to admire the girl's appearance. Her long, deep blue hair had been done up in an elegant bun, and the color of the kimono really contrasted nicely with her smooth, ivory colored skin. She did not require any make-up to accentuate her already very cute features, Nodoka thought. Her figure was nicely toned from relentless practicing, yet still held enough feminine charm to wear the kimono with grace. Akane Tendo had grown into such a fine, lovely woman.

In the dining room, Soun, Kasumi, and Nabiki took their breakfasts as usual, making small talk here and there. He noted that the spread today seemed a bit more elaborate than usual, and the food happened to all be some of Akane's favorites.

"Did you forget, father?" Kasumi said, "It's her birthday today."

"Hm?" Soun mused, "Ah yes! It is, isn't it? She'll be turning 18-" he suddenly began choking on his tea.

"Daddy is everything alright?" Nabiki peered curiously at him.

"A-Ah, yes," he coughed and tried to play off his uneasiness, but the middle Tendo daughter was much more perceptive than that.

"You're not hiding anything," her expression turned intimidating, "Are you?"

Since when had one of his precious children become so frightening? He attempted to gulp down the lump that formed in his throat.

"O-Of course! Everything is fine, it's just… just that, well…"

"Here she is!"

Soun was infinitely grateful for the sudden interruption but then quickly turned surprised when he realized who was accompanying Akane.

"Nodoka?" he blinked.

"Ah, I forgot to mention she arrived this morning," Kasumi interjected.

"Good morning!" the woman greeted cheerily, "My apologies for not letting you know sooner, but I came to help Akane get ready for the special occasion."

Soun laughed nervously at the woman's mischievous wink. He smiled at his youngest daughter's appearance. She looked just like her mother in that kimono, with that dark blue hair and those deep, brown eyes. Between the three of them Akane took after their mother's appearance the most, though her determined spirit was much more like his. Kasumi had all their mother's mannerisms and gentle expression, while Nabiki was a mix of both… in a way.

"This looks delicious!" Akane smiled, "Thank you Kasumi!"

"So," Nabiki said, "Daddy what was it that you were saying before Auntie Nodoka and Akane arrived?"

Ah, there it was. He knew Nabiki wouldn't have forgotten, and now that she had called him out in front of his other two daughters there was no avoiding it. He was also wary of the sidelong glance Nodoka cast him. Over the years he had given Akane some information – that she someday was expected to become a priestess and carry on the Tendo tradition of Anything Goes Worship... among other things that he had never quite elaborated on... like exactly what kind of priestess or how she would carry on those traditions. Thankfully she took extremely well to the training and was more than enthusiastic to learn all the roles and duties that came with becoming a priestess. She was lacking in some of the more domestic skills, though – such as in preparing divine food offerings – but those were trifling things she could learn eventually.

However, he had not told her exactly the divine nature of her expectations. She knew that their shrine served the guardian spirit of Nerima forest, but he never explained that she would actually be directly serving him. Soun had meant to – he really had – but each time he thought about telling her, it became too unbearable. He knew his daughter well. She would not take so kindly to knowing her fate had already been decided for her.

He put down his chopsticks and settled himself in a more formal sitting position.

"Akane," he began, "Today is a very special day for you, my dear. You are now an adult and fit to inherit the title priestess of the Tendo shrine. You've worked very hard, and I'm proud of everything you've accomplished."

"Thank you father," she blushed and bowed deeply in respect, "I promise to uphold the shrine to the best of my abilities."

Kasumi and Nabiki smiled warmly at their sister, but Soun was still troubled.

"Akane," he continued, "There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time. Regarding your future, it has always been my wish that you would take up the spiritual arts and become a priestess of the Tendo tradition of Anything Goes Worship. But, I do not intend for you to inherit my position as head of this shrine."

It was as if the wind had been collectively knocked out of all the occupants in the room, save for Soun and Nodoka. The latter's eyes were downcast.

Akane felt her throat clench. What…? Had she not trained well enough? What was her father saying earlier then when he had praised her? What was the point of all her efforts up to this point, then…? Kasumi and Nabiki too could scarcely believe what they had just heard.

"Shortly after your mother died, you fell ill with the very same sickness that had claimed her. I tried very hard to save you but my efforts alone were not enough. After losing your mother I could not accept parting with you too, so I turned to an old friend of mine and begged him for help. His name is Genma Saotome, and through his intervention we were able to save you… but, in return for his assistance, I agreed that you would serve his son, Ranma, as his priestess."

What?

How was that even possible?

"W-What do you mean?" Akane's voice was hoarse with disbelief, "Become another man's servant…?"

Her, serve under someone? And a man she didn't even know? Ridiculous. Akane felt anger begin to gnaw at her consciousness as she recalled all the boys in the village who leered at her and her sisters like pieces of meat, only good for keeping house and making babies.

She hated boys. They were dirty, perverted, and scummy. Well, not all, but most undeniably were. The thought that her own father had decided she would submit to one made her furious. The reason she had undertaken the rigorous priestess training was so she could make her own way in life and prove she could be just as strong and capable as any other male figurehead in the village. Her sisters knew very well her hatred for boys and recoiled slightly at the rage seeping through her aura.

"No, you see, Ranma Saotome is no ordinary boy… You girls know better than anyone that there are spirits that reside in this world: embodiments of different elements that seek to protect order in the world. Kasumi, Nabiki, you can see the sprites flowing to and from the forests each night, correct? Akane, the reason why you are able to able to perform miraculous acts is because you draw on their energy, specifically from Nerima forest. We mortals use the spirits' powers to protect ourselves, while the spirits protect the natural energy in their domains. You are aware of the spirit who guards the forest and protects the balance of energy in Nerima, yes? He was my good friend, Genma Saotome."

There was a pregnant pause as the three Tendo girls struggled to take in this new information.

The forest spirit was named Genma Saotome...

...And his son was Ranma Saotome...

Realization dawned upon Akane's face, "So, that would mean…?"

"Correct. A few years ago Genma stepped down from his position in favor of his son. Ranma is the current guardian spirit of Nerima forest, and it is our wish that you become his divine priestess and serve him until the end of your days. This was the condition of the divine pact we made in order to save your life, Akane."

Divine pact?

To save her life?

"I don't quite understand," Akane's head began to throb as she tried to process everything, "What do you mean by divine priestess? What did my life have to do with this?"

At this, Nodoka finally entered the conversation.

"When your father came to us, the illness was about to claim your life, Akane. He came into the forest to plead for our assistance, and as you are well aware from your training that providing divine services requires an offering or equivalent exchange. In order to save you from your sickness and give you your life we required an equivalent life in return, which in this case means you would return to the forest and dedicate your life to protecting it as divine priestess. Mortals have priests and priestesses that utilize the spirits' powers to perform different miraculous deeds such as exorcisms and blessings in order to protect the mortal realm. Divine priests and priestesses have a similar role, but they use their abilities to protect the spirits they serve in the ethereal realm. You can imagine that being a guardian is a taxing role, so it is our duty to support them. We replenish their energy when they are tired, calm them when powers grow too out of hand, and assist them with their duties however we can. We priests and priestesses are very much on equal footing with our guardians."

We?

"Auntie Nodoka, are you…?"

"It seems I've finally been found out," Nodoka smiled cheerfully, "My full name is Nodoka Saotome, priestess-wife to Genma Saotome. Ranma is my son."

"Eh?" Kasumi exclaimed, "Auntie, you are not human then?"

"That's right," she smiled, "And neither is your father, as a matter of fact! Your father was the former forest spirit, before my husband, but he gave up his powers when he fell in love with your mother. So you girls are all also half divine, which is why you can see the spirits so easily."

Akane's shoulders shook with an emotion she could not describe. Was it hurt? Betrayal, maybe? How could her future have been decided for her like that...? I mean, granted, it had to be done to save her life... But had she been groomed all this time in preparation for her role? Had Auntie Nodoka been nice to her because she knew Akane would one day be her son's "divine priestess", and not because she actually had a fondness for her? Perhaps she did not care about her at all, and all her visits were just an attempt to shape her into a suitable match for her son…

A bitter pain stabbed at her heart.

She wanted to scream and run away from this... this... whatever madness this was!

"What kind of guy is Ranma?" Nabiki raised a brow in interest.

"No idea!"

"…"

They stared incredulously at Nodoka's smiling face.

"To be honest, he and his father have been away on an extensive training mission these past 15 years," Nodoka sighed sadly, "So I hardly know what sort of man my dear son has become now. But before they left, Genma had promised he would return a man among men. I am just as eager to meet him as you are, Akane!"

Eager wasn't exactly the word she would have used, to be honest.

They were abruptly interrupted by a loud commotion at the shrine's gates.

"Oh! We seem to have visitors!"

"That must be Ranma!" Nabiki leapt up and hurried excitedly towards the gate.

"Saotome, my old friend!" Soun followed behind eagerly. Kasumi went ahead as well, but Akane and Nodoka were the last to leave the table. The older woman had sensed her trepidation.

"My dear," Nodoka gently took Akane's hand in both of hers, "There's no need to be anxious. I know it is a lot to take in, but I've watched you grow these past 15 years and can confidently say you will be an admirable priestess. Besides, even if Ranma is my son, I care very much about your happiness too and I won't hesitate to lecture him if he mistreats you!"

Akane returned the older woman's reassuring smile, but truth be told she could not yet trust her words. She still didn't like the thought of being bound to this Ranma boy who she had never met.

Suddenly, loud screaming was heard and several pairs of footsteps pounded down the hall. Nabiki and Soun burst forth from the dining room entrance, followed closely behind by a… a…?

"P-P-Panda?!"

"CUT IT OUT, OLD MAN!"

The villagers of Nerima screamed in surprise as a feisty-looking, red-haired girl leapt from stall to stall, avoiding the hulking mass of fur that was chasing her.

"Is that a p-panda?"

"My goodness, it is a panda, isn't it!"

The girl seemed to be in a terribly foul mood as her aura practically dripped with anger. The panda also exuded an incredible amount of determination. They both stood atop the roofs of the stalls, poised in offensive stances. The panda lunged first.

The red-haired girl let out a cool breath and expertly dodged each of the panda's grapples. She saw an opening and grabbed his paw.

"How could you pick out my priestess for me?!" she growled, "Without even ASKING?"

The panda yelped loudly as he was suddenly thrown over head and slammed onto the floor. It twitched in pain, but the girl was not yet satisfied and proceeded to land a couple more blows. Once satisfied that the bloody mess of a panda had been adequately pummeled, she wiped her hands proudly and stood to regard her handiwork. The villagers cowered in their stalls. Who on earth was this strange girl? How was she so ridiculously strong, and what was with that panda?

"Hmph!" she flicked her braid over her shoulder, "This whole thing sucks and I'm NOT going through with it, ya hear? You're always trying to rope me into your stupid schemes and I'm tired of it. I'm going back to China. Suck on that, old man!"

After giving the comatose panda one last kick for good measure, the girl went to look for the pack she dropped earlier.

Little did she know the kick was actually enough to awaken the panda…

"OOF!"

The panda grabbed the now knocked out girl and hefted her over his shoulder. He then went over to a nearby vendor and held up a sign.

"Eh? The Tendo Shrine? It's just up the hill, over there."

The panda bowed and thanked him before departing.

Flabbergasted, the vendor and other residents of Nerima watched as the strange panda and red-haired girl padded towards the Tendo Shrine. For some reason they had a feeling that this was not the last they would see of the panda and red-haired girl…

"Daddy, is this your friend?!" Nabiki yelled, "The fearsome forest guardian?!"

Soun vigorously shook his head.

"Auntie Nodoka, you're married to a panda?" Kasumi asked innocently.

Nodoka also vigorously shook her head.

Suddenly, the panda let out a fearful yelp and jumped back, accidentally dropping the red-haired girl he had been carrying. The girl groaned and began to stir, awakened by all the commotion.

"Are you alright?"

She looked up to see a pair of large, brown eyes regarding her with concern. Akane knelt to check the girl's condition. Satisfied that the girl had no serious injuries, Akane gave her a gentle smile before offering her a hand up. The red-haired girl blushed and hesitated before shyly taking her hand. This girl had such a warm aura, like a gentle fire, and her smile was very sweet… The red-haired girl felt as if she could finally relax for a bit.

The panda hurriedly scrawled on a wooden signboard.

"S-SORRY," the sign read, "W-WRONG HOUSE-"

"Shut up!" the red-haired girl kicked the sign away from his hands and once again knocked the panda out. That old man was so infuriating! First he caused such a scene dragging him here, and now he wanted to run away so suddenly? They were probably scaring these poor people for crying out loud. They at least deserved an explanation.

Wait a minute, that fierce kick, that fighting stance…

"Say," Soun leaned forward and studied the girl's expression, "You… You wouldn't happen to be…?"

"Sorry for all the commotion," the girl mumbled and bowed, "I'm Ranma Saotome."

"Ranma!" Nodoka cried happily and flung herself at the confused girl, "I'm so glad to finally- ah?"

She paused and pulled back to regard the figure before her. This red hair… didn't her Ranma have black hair? Curvaceous hips, an ample bosom, rounded features. Could it be? Nodoka reached forward touch the girl's chest.

Oh, yes, those were indeed breasts.

"Auntie Nodoka!" the rooms' occupants screamed as the older woman collapsed, tears streaming down her cheeks. Kasumi hurried to get a futon and a wet towel, while Akane caught her fall and eased her onto the floor.

"Saotome!" Soun shouted at the retreating panda, "You stay right there, we'll need an explanation as to what's going on here!"

After the fuss had died down and everything had been cleared away, the Tendo family and their guests resituated themselves around the low dining table. Nodoka had been taken to a separate room and Kasumi had elected to stay and watch over the unconscious woman.

"I am indeed Ranma Saotome, and Genma Saotome is my father," she motioned towards the panda, "I'm very sorry again for all the trouble we caused. We just got back from a training trip in China where a number of things have happened to us. To be honest I'm not very sure what's going on either, but my father said I was to come here and meet my future priestess."

"So are you truly forest spirits?" Akane asked. Frankly they all looked like regular people, save for the panda. But he didn't seem like a divine panda either.

"Their outwardly appearances aren't any different from mortals," Soun explained, "As you can tell by my appearance, we look just like regular humans except for maybe a couple differences. Only a person well-versed in the spiritual arts would be able to tell them apart. Divine beings are also able to travel to and from the human world at will, though they cannot stay for too long or their powers begin to degrade. I was only able to remain after I had given up mine."

"So they are real," Nabiki mused as she prodded Ranma's chest, completely ignoring the conversation. Ranma grew visibly irate at the groping, but before she could open her mouth to protest Akane stepped in.

"Leave her alone," she commanded flatly, "She's our honored guest, after all."

Again, Ranma was taken aback by the girl's appearance for the second time that day. There was a bright, lively spark about her. By the looks of it she seemed like any proper young woman – with that finely decorated kimono – but she was far from demure and reticent like other ladies of her rank.

"Must be a relief to you, ne, Akane?" Nabiki smirked, "You don't have to be bound to a boy after all, since Ranma's a girl!"

"A-Actually…"

"Akane hates boys," Nabiki murmured with a wink.

...

Ranma gulped nervously.

Well it was certainly a relief, Akane noted. She wondered how everyone could get something like Ranma's gender so egregiously wrong, but there was no doubt about it the person before her was definitely female. Either way Akane would have agreed to be Ranma's priestess, but this just made everything much easier. She looked over at the redhead and saw that the poor thing looked almost as upset and confused as Akane about the entire situation. Well, there was no sense in making her any more uncomfortable. Might as well be friends since they were in the same predicament, right?

Akane felt at ease in this girl's presence. No doubt about it, her aura felt identical to the forest spirit's: strong, confident, and warm. It was calming and familiar. Maybe this arrangement wouldn't be so bad after all.

"You said you've been training in the spiritual arts with your father, right?"

Ranma looked up to see Akane hovering over him with that same welcoming smile she had given her earlier.

"Mhm."

"Want to join me in the practice hall? I'm Akane. Let's be friends."

Ranma nodded and gave a timid smile of her own. She then found herself being led away by Akane's gentle hand. Maybe this arrangement wasn't such a bad idea after all…

As they walked through the grounds, Ranma took a minute to admire her surroundings. The shrine was a simple ensemble of wooden buildings and structures: carved stone steps ran up the hill through a pair of worn but richly colored red gates, leading to a dirt path that escorted travelers to the main hall and site of worship. To the right, off towards the rear of the property, was another building not so delicately decorated as the others, but still charming nonetheless. That was probably where the Tendo family lived. She liked this simple, traditional kind of shrine the best.

They were led to an empty room next to the family dojo and Akane began to undo the pins in her hair. At that moment, Ranma glimpsed a faint red sparkle upon the girl's right pinky.

Wait a minute...

Ranma held her own hand ahead of her and concentrated. Sure enough, she could make out the same, sparkling red thread that encircled her own pinky and led straight to Akane's.

So it was true after all, then? This girl in front of him was really the one whose fate was predestined with hers? A slight blush lit upon her cheeks. She would finally have someone who would be beside and support her. Someone she could trust and confide in. It was such a strange feeling after having been so alone for so many years, but Ranma felt excited at the opportunity. Well, there was her good-for-nothing father, but all Genma inspired in him was rage and frustration.

Akane, on the other hand, felt warm and invigorating. Fiery yet welcoming. She probably made a great sparring partner. Granted she did not truly know what she was like yet, but at the very least she was drawn to this girl's strong aura.

"Ranma," Akane called, "Could you help me undo this kimono?"

W… What?

"A-Ah, s-sure," the redhead stuttered and struggled to hide her embarrassment. Her fingers shook with trepidation as she reached towards the obi. Why the heck had she agreed? This was totally not right!

"I'm afraid your mother picked out quite an elaborate one, and I want to make sure I don't ruin it."

"My mother…?" Ranma whispered. Was she referring to that lady who collapsed?

"Come to think of it, you probably don't remember her much since you've been away training for 15 years, huh? Auntie Nodoka has been eagerly awaiting your return all this time, so it's no wonder she passed out from the shock when she saw you. It's been so long she thought you were her son! Can you believe that?"

"H-Hah, yeah," Ranma laughed nervously. Yet another confusion she would have to clear up.

Akane's hair cascaded down her shoulders in long, silky tresses as it was finally released from the constricting bun. She hummed softly and began working to undo the cords on the front of her robe. Ranma was eternally grateful Akane had her back towards her, else she would have seen the viciously deep shade of crimson that splayed across her cheeks.

'T-This is totally wrong,' Ranma thought, 'I shouldn't be here, she still thinks I'm a-'

Her mind went completely blank when the kimono fell to the floor.

"So that's how it is, huh?"

Soun stared at the bald man across from him with teary eyes, though his expression was completely serious. The man nodded solemnly, tears streaming down his face as well.

"Genma, my poor old friend," Soun wept, "It is good to see you again after all these years, even under such pitiful circumstances."

"Indeed," the man sobbed, "Such is the cruel way of things, isn't it?"

"Let me get this straight," Nabiki's said, "You and Ranma went to train at some cursed springs, and apparently if you fall into one of these pools, you take on the appearance of whatever spirit 'drowned' there centuries prior?"

"That's correct," Genma nodded, "Truly a terrible fate befell us that fateful day…"

His words were cut short as he suddenly found himself two times bigger, covered in fur, and soaking wet. But a minute later, he was even wetter and returned to his normal form.

"Huh!" Nabiki whistled, "When you're splashed with any 'unpurified' water, you turn into your cursed form, eh? And only water that has been ritually purified will return you to normal."

"I could have told you that without needing a demonstration," Genma's eyebrow twitched.

"What made you think it was a good place to go there in the first place?"

"It is regarded among the spirit realm as the most difficult place to train at given the countless spirits who curse those grounds. Surely a guardian of Nerima forest would have no trouble traversing the springs, but my own son – my own dear, flesh and blood son – dared to kick his father into one of the springs! If he hadn't done that, none of this would have happened! I wouldn't be part panda-spirit and my Ranma wouldn't be… wouldn't be...!"

"So it's true!"

Genma screeched loudly as Nodoka suddenly appeared at the entrance, accompanied by a curious Kasumi.

"Dear, don't run!" she grabbed his gi with ferocious desperation, "Please, I was right, wasn't I? That was Ranma who was here just now! But the person I hugged was surely a girl, so how can that be? You had promised that Ranma would return as a man among men, yet what I saw was-!"

"I-I-I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU MEAN!" Genma yelled and struggled to free himself, "L-LADY, WHO ARE YOU?"

"How could you be so cruel!" Nodoka wailed and slapped her husband, "Where is my Ranma! A mother knows what kind of child she gave birth to, and my Ranma is surely a boy! Tell me where he is right now or else!"

A loud, bloodcurdling scream met their ears.

"Oh dear," Kasumi gasped, "That sounded like Akane!"

"Quick, it came from the training hall!"

Genma was momentarily relieved by the distraction, but Nodoka held fast onto him and dragged him along as well. After all this time, she wouldn't let him get away so easily.

"Akane!" Soun yelled as he slammed open the door, "What happe- GOOD LORD!"

Akane sat upon the floor in near complete undress, body trembling with several indescribably emotions. Rage and humiliation were probably two of the main ones. Her hair was completely undone and disheveled, and her bare skin was exposed for all to see except for her most intimate parts, which were protected by the kimono she held desperately to her chest. A very compromising position, to say the least. At her feet lay a ladle they recognized as belonging to the purifying water bath.

A tall, young man of strong and athletic build stood quietly on the opposite side of the room with his head downcast. He had a thick mop of jet black hair that was pulled into a low, braided pigtail. He had a handsome face and deep, blue eyes that looked very familiar. Not to mention that Chinese-style robe he wore, wasn't that the same one that Ranma had been wearing?

"W-Who… Who are you?"

"Sorry again," the young man mumbled, "I'm Ranma… Ranma Saotome…"