K, thanks for the reviews. You guys put some very interesting ideas for me out there ^^. Basically, I put some thought into it before and hadn't realized that it may be confusing to other people, especially since I knew the plot of the story and no one else would. Basically, the story starts out as Akane being 18 when she goes on that trip. Second, she applied possibly because she saw an opportunity there. And, I hope to shed some more light on Akane's reasons for not telling Ranma, or anyone else, that she was indeed raped in later chapters, enough to satisfy everyone.

Well, I decided to put up chapter 1 just to see if that one would fly. I happen to like this story and take the most pride in it. All you people looking for Ranma/Akane stuff will have to wait. It doesn't show up quite yet. But I promise to have chapter 2 up soon, and then chapter 3. It starts to pick up really quick after the next couple chapters and it'll be worth the wait. And I have a cute Ryoga/Ukyo moment in this chapter, too. ^-^

ENJOY!

Chapter 1

*Five Years Later*

It was a sunny afternoon in San Francisco, California. A nice, pleasant, warm day, perfect for swimming. And that was exactly what Jina Tendo had on her mind as her day-care sitter dropped her off. The minute she burst into the door, she ran in and hugged her mother. "Momma! Momma! Today! Today!" The toddler squealed excitedly. "Let's go swimming!"

Akane Tendo chuckled at her four-year-old daughter. "I have a better idea, Jina. Why don't we go for a walk in the park? Or maybe, take a basket out and have a picnic? Just you and me! How about that, sweetheart?"

"Aww. Mom! You NEVER want to go swimming!" Jina crossed her arms and turned away, pouting.

Akane sighed. "Jina, we've had this talk before. I'm sorry but I can't swim." She looked apologetically to the middle-aged day-care woman. "I'm sorry, Beverly," she said. "Now how much do I owe you for Jina this week?"

"Two hundred and fifty dollars. It's okay, you don't have to pay right now." The woman smiled kindly at Akane.

She shook her head and took out her purse. "No, I have the money right here."

"Akane dear, let's make it one hundred and fifty instead. Do you know what a delight it is to watch your daughter?" The woman chuckled as Jina hugged her. "She's such a darling little girl! She'll grow to be beautiful, just like her mother."

Tears welled up in Akane's eyes. Thank you so much, Beverly! You're such a sweet woman." She handed her the money.

"I'll talk to you Monday, then," Beverly said with a smile. "Ta-ta!" She called as she headed out the door.

Once alone again, Akane picked up a stack of papers off of the kitchen table and stuck them in a folder. As she stood on tiptoes to put it on a shelf in her bookcase, a handful of old photos fell to the floor, where a curious Jina picked them up. "Jina, hand those to Momma, please." When her daughter didn't answer, Akane turned around. "Jina? Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She knelt down beside her daughter.

"Who's that guy who's hugging you?" Jina asked. "Is that my daddy?"

Looking at the picture brought many long forgotten memories back to Akane. She remembered the day it had been taken. It had been her seventeenth birthday, and she and Ranma had sneaked off for awhile so Ranma could give her his present. He'd gotten her a locket with his picture in it. She'd been so overrun with emotions that she'd practically leapt on him. So they were both taken completely by surprise when Nabiki had taken that picture. She sighed, and a tugging on her shirt brought her back to reality. She looked into her daughter's curious eyes and smiled. "No, Darling, he isn't your father," she finally answered.

Jina tugged on her mother's shirt. "Then who is he? Who, Momma, who?"

"His name was Ranma," Akane said softly. "He was my inazuke. My. fiancé, I mean."

Her daughter's eyes went big. "Ooh," she said. "Momma? If he was your fiancé, why didn't you guys get married?"

'You are so wise, Jina,' Akane thought. She avoided answering her daughter by picking another picture up. "Oh! Look here, Jina! It's a panda! And see that man? That's your grandpa."

The little girl's eyes widened. Then, she looked up at Akane. "Momma, I don't really want to go swimming or to the park anymore. I want you to show me more pictures. Can we do that? Please?"

"Yes, if that's what you want, Jina," Akane said. She picked up another photo of herself and a redheaded girl in a pigtail. She smiled.

"Who's that, Momma? Her hair's really red! She's almost as pretty as you are!" Jina said innocently.

Akane thought for a moment. She decided she would leave out the idea of Ranma being cursed for her daughter's benefit. "That's Ranko, Honey," she answered. "She was a good friend of mine before I moved here." She picked up another photo. This one had another young man who wore a bandana and carried an umbrella. "Look here, Jina! This is another good friend of mine. His name was Ryoga. Oh, and here's one of Shampoo and Mousse!" She said as she held another picture up. And, me, and my sisters, Kasumi and Nabiki."

Jina had been quiet through all of Akane's explaining. Finally, she spoke up again. "Momma, when are they coming here? I want to meet my grandpa!"

Quickly, Akane took the pictures from Jina and set them back on top of the bookshelf. "They're not coming, Jina," she said. "It's just you and me, Baby."

* * *

Kasumi Tendo hummed softly to herself as she prepared dinner. Dr. Tofu was expected to come over, as were Ukyo and Ryoga. She'd only hoped that she and Tofu could convince Ukyo and Ryoga to go to California and convince Akane to come back for the wedding. Yes, it had been months since Dr. Tofu had proposed to Kasumi, but she wanted her whole family there for the wedding. She and Akane had written to each other frequently over the years, up until Kasumi had written her younger sister about her engagement to Dr. Tofu, and invited Akane to go. That was when Akane's letters stopped coming. Kasumi had written a few more times, and even tried to call, but she'd only gotten the answering machine, or even worse, Jina, who didn't know any Japanese at all, so the little girl would panic and hang up on Kasumi. There were other reasons that Kasumi longed to have Akane visit. She wanted so badly to see her niece! Except for a picture of Jina at one year, she had never set eyes on the child! Still, she understood Akane's feelings. Japan had many faces and memories that her sister wanted to forget. The worst thing, Kasumi felt, was that their father hadn't said a word to Akane since the night before she left. Even Ranma had written her once or twice! And Mr. Saotome, too! But it was as if Akane had been shunned by their father.

"Hey, Sis," Nabiki's voice broke her out of her reverie. "Ukyo and Ryoga are here! I'll see you later. Kuno-Baby and I were going out to a movie tonight."

"All right," Kasumi called. "Have fun!"

She could practically see the grin on Nabiki's face as she left. "I will!"

"Kasumi?" Ryoga came into the kitchen.

She turned and gave him a smile. "Hello, Ryoga. Dinner's almost ready. Why don't you and Ukyo make yourselves at home by the table?"

Before leaving the kitchen, he stopped. "You sure you don't need help?"

"Yes, Ryoga, I'm sure, except let Dr. Tofu in when he comes, all right?" She saw him nod. "Arigato."

Ryoga walked out and took a seat by Ukyo. "I guess we just sit here," he said hopelessly.

Smiling, Ukyo rested her head on his right shoulder. "Is that really a bad thing, Sugar?"

"No," Ryoga said. "I suppose not." He gazed down lovingly at the girl leaning on him. He couldn't remember another time in his life where he'd loved another woman as dearly as he loved Ukyo. Akane? Well, she had been a friend to him, but never anything more. Besides, love can't be based on lies. And P-Chan was all just a big lie. If Ryoga had told Akane about it, she probably would never speak to him again. As it was, he rarely heard any news of her or her daughter anymore. Kasumi had shown him Jina's picture. How old was Akane's girl now? Three, four years? Ryoga had lost count. He often worried about Akane, and hoped that she was all right. But worry was all he could do now. He now looked forward to the day that he would propose to Ukyo. He had the ring, but now he just had to have the courage.

Just then, there was a knocking at the door, making both Ukyo and Ryoga jump. "I'll be back," Ryoga said as he hopped to his feet and opened the door, letting Dr. Tofu enter. "Hi, Doctor. How are you?" He asked with a smile.

Dr. Tofu smiled. "I'm glad you and Ukyo could make it. Kasumi and I have a favor to ask of you."

"I knew it!" Ukyo had stood up and joined Ryoga. "We never get off easy for a 'free' meal," she joked.

Ryoga exchanged looks with Dr. Tofu and both shared a laugh.

"Dinner's ready!" Kasumi called.

* * *

"Kasumi, you really outdid yourself tonight," Ukyo remarked after supper. "That was delicious!"

Ryoga reached eagerly for another rice ball. "Yes, that was great!" He agreed.

Kasumi glanced at her fiancé. Then, she looked back at Ryoga. "Ryoga, what we wanted to ask was, that if we paid for a weekend, would you take a trip to the United States? Dr. Tofu and I would go, but first off we don't know English, and second, I've tried and tried to talk my sister into coming here, but she has refused, so I'm thinking that maybe you and Ukyo could go."

Ukyo spoke up. "I don't know English, either!"

"But you would be the one who would talk Akane into coming back," Kasumi said. "You and Akane may not have been easy friends, but you are a good friend, Ukyo."

"Arigato, Kasumi," Ukyo said, deeply touched.

Dr. Tofu looked to Ryoga. "Well, what do you say?"

The couple exchanged a bunch of questioning glances, and finally, Ryoga spoke up. "We would be very honored to go," he stated.

"Don't worry, Kasumi," Ukyo said, giving her an assuring look. "I'll get her over here if it's the last thing I do!"

"Arigato," Kasumi breathed. "Arigato!"

* * *

Tokyo never looked more inviting to Ranma. He'd been traveling for weeks on a training trip. "Whew," he whispered. "Only a few more miles." He walked through the crowded streets, taking one slow step at a time. He was exhausted. Never in his life had he trained so intensely. As he walked, a young woman with short dark hair bumped into him. She apologized quickly and turned away before he could clearly see who it was. "Hey, hey wait!" He hurried after her. "Akane?" He turned her around, only to find light green eyes instead of the soft brown eyes he secretly adored so much.

"Excuse me?" The girl said.

"Sorry, I must have gotten you confused with someone else," Ranma murmured softly.

She pulled away. "That's okay. Gomen!" She hurried away.

'Why is it that I always see you, Akane?' Ranma sighed. 'You're everywhere and it's driving me crazy!' He thought of the last time that he'd seen her. She was waving to him as the car pulled away. Sometimes he wondered why he ever let her go. So what if she hadn't been faithful to him! So what? Pride was what had kept him from forgiving her. He was a martial artist with honor! What good would it do for him to keep a woman who wasn't faithful to him? It hurt his pride deeply, and for that, he could never accept Akane back, no matter how much he loved her. But that didn't mean that he would go straight to Shampoo or Ukyo.

After Akane left, he made it firmly clear that he had absolutely no plans whatsoever to marry Ukyo or Shampoo. Ukyo had been the first to give up on him. 'Ukyo and Ryoga,' he thought. For once, he was glad that the pig-boy had courted one of his fiancées. He only wished that it had happened sooner. Maybe all of this would not have happened between him and Akane. Maybe they COULD have made it. 'What's done is done,' he thought. 'We can never go back.' He remembered how stubborn Shampoo had been on giving up on him. Finally, Mousse challenged her in an all-out battle, and defeated her, proving how much he had been holding back. Shampoo was now obligated to marry him, which she was not pleased at all with. It now appeared that she despised him even more than when he had just been "Stupid Mousse." Ranma shook his head. 'Shampoo hated me in my girl form when I defeated her as well.' Maybe later she would take kindlier to Mousse, although even now she still occasionally bothered Ranma.

He was taken from his thoughts when he reached the Tendo's gate. He was home. Yes, he still lived with the Tendos. He had become the heir ever since Akane had left. Who better to teach martial arts in Soun Tendo's place than his would-be son-in-law? It had been agreed. The dojo name would be changed to Saotome after Soun's death.

He stepped in through the gate, and was surprised at seeing Ukyo and Ryoga standing outside the front door with Kasumi. "Ryoga! Ukyo!"

"Ranma, just the person we wanted to see," Kasumi said with a smile. "Welcome back."

"Uh, yeah," Ranma stammered. "But, well, what did you want me for? Did I do anything?"

Ryoga smirked at him and crossed his arms. "He sure ACTS guilty, doesn't he?"

"Shut up, P-Chan!" Ranma snapped. True, Ranma and Ryoga had both grown, body and skills, but that was it. Their maturity was about the same as it had always been. If Akane had been there, she would have pulled her mallet out on them right then and there.

Ukyo felt Ryoga tense up. 'Here we go again,' she thought, rolling her eyes. "Ryoga-kun, no," she pleaded gently.

"Ukyo, will you please excuse me for a bit?" Ryoga said, never taking his eyes off Ranma. "I have to open a can of whoop-ass on someone."

"Oh yeah?" Ranma challenged. "C'mon Ryoga! Bring it!" He was up on the Tendo roof in no time, his earlier exhaustion forgotten. "I'm waitin'," he said loudly, tapping his foot.

Ryoga leapt up after him. "You're really asking for it, Ranma! DIE!" And with that, he charged Ranma with a series of punches.

The pigtailed martial artist dodged the attacks with ease. "Jeez, Ryoga, have you been slacking? Don't put me to sleep!"

"Why you-! Wait'll I get my hands on you, Ranma! I WILL KILL YOU!" Ryoga launched a kick that narrowly missed Ranma.

"Okay, Pal! Now THAT was a little too close!" Ranma ducked as Ryoga threw another punch and tried tripping the enraged man, but when that failed, he found himself dodging a dozen more attacks by Ryoga. He brought his leg up to kick Ryoga and his attack hit home this time, but not before Ryoga got him, too. Both he and Ryoga flew away from each other. "Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about!"

Ukyo and Kasumi had been watching up until this point. The okonomiyaki chef decided enough was enough. "Come on, Kasumi," she said. "Let's leave them be. We got planning to do. Like how are we going to get Akane over here?"

"Oh, dear," Kasumi sighed. "I hope they'll be all right."

"It's Ranma and Ryoga. I don't know anyone else in the world who can take care of themselves better." She then led the way inside the house, not bothering to look back, Kasumi following.

"Aaagh, Ranma, you're beating me," Ryoga shouted in despair.

Ranma smirked as he was about to land another kick on him. "Heh, piece 'a cake!"

"SHISHI HOKODAN!" A blast of light came out from Ryoga's spread out palms, knocking Ranma out of the air. "Gotcha!" Ryoga grinned at Ranma. "You forgot that attack, didn't you?"

The pig-tailed man rose slowly. "I should'a seen that one coning," he grumbled. Then, he got in his defensive stance again. "All right, time for Round Two!"

The other one shrugged. "Okay, whatever," he said flippantly, purposely trying to get on Ranma's nerves. He knew he was succeeding. "Poor Ranma, are you tired already? Boy, what kind of training did you do on your trip? I hear that they had a great women's self defense course-"

"RYOGA YOU TAKE THAT BACK! AAAGHH!" Ranma leapt at him with a renewed strength. He threw a punch, anticipating Ryoga do duck, so a split second later he threw out a kick, which sent Ryoga falling off the roof into the koi pond.

Moments later his clothing floated to the surface followed by a little black pig. "Kwee! Kwee!" The pig squealed angrily up at Ranma.

"Good practice, Ryoga," Ranma called to him, grinning.

* * *

"What do you mean I gotta wait at the airport for Akane?!" Ranma shouted. "Why? Ryoga and Ukyo are gonna get her. Not me! NOT me!"

Kasumi sighed. "They'll be leaving the United States before she does," she explained. "And I doubt they'll be sticking around to wait for her. They had plans together."

"I happen to have a life," Ranma argued.

"Ranma, please," Kasumi pleaded. "If you don't want to do this for Akane, then do it for me. I know you're still angry with her, but what's done is done, Ranma. None of us are the same anymore. My sister has changed. I long to see her, and see my niece. I have never seen Jina, and do you know how much that hurts?" A sob escaped Kasumi's throat. "It hurts so much."

Watching Kasumi in front of him, Ranma drew her forward and engulfed her in a gentle hug. "Okay, Kasumi. It's okay. I'll go to the airport and escort her home. For you."

She brightened up. "Oh, Ranma! Arigato!"

"Think nothin' of it, Kasumi." 'Oh, great. How am I gonna manage THIS?'

* * *

"Ryoga, WHEN does this thing land?" Ukyo complained. "I think I'm feeling sick again."

He looked at his companion incredulously. "Ukyo, are you sure you're not pregnant?"

For that, she gave Ryoga a smack over the head. "Ryoga no baka! No! I am not! I just get plane sick! Oh, no!" She stood up and almost fell over Ryoga as she scrambled for the rest room.

Leaning back in his reclining seat, Ryoga eased back and tried in vain to fall asleep, but found it as an almost impossible option, especially after a very weary and sickly Ukyo came back, whimpering. "Ukyo?" He lifted the arm that separated their seats and pulled her over to him. "Try to get some sleep, okay?" He knew for sure that he wouldn't be able to sleep now. But sometimes these were the prices you paid to love. And as he looked down at the girl cuddled up against him, he smiled, knowing that it was all worthwhile.

* * *

Author's note: I promise to update soon, k? Any comments, suggestions, criticisms, praises? Review! NO FLAMES, PLEASE. Oh, and how do you like Akane's adorable, but extremely intelligent daughter? Let me know whether or not Jina is a likable character. See ya! -halliegirl ^.^

Ryoga no baka- Ryoga you idiot

Arigato- thank you

Inazuke- fiancé

Gomen- farewell, or sorry (in this case the woman means farewell)