Disclaimer: Ranma ½ is mine! (Gets attacked by a monster made up of legal documents, bills, and one lawyer.) Ouch! Stop It! Ok, I don't own it, Rumiko Takahashi does. Back you vial beast! Also thanks to Sean D'Anna. Who's fanfic, the 'Spirit Within', gave me inspiration for my story.

Key: "normal speech"

        [panda signs]

        my thoughts

Pre-chapter author notes: Wow! Somebody actually read my story! (does a pointless and wild dance on a table). I accordance with several request, this chapter is longer and each of the following chapters should get progressively longer until I see no more need. And, no, as you will see in this chapter, I am going to add more than just a 'few changes here and there'. But I will stay true to the saying, "The more things change, the more things stay the same."

Will They Ever Learn?

Chapter 2

Meet The Tendos

They weren't kidding about the freak storms in Nerima! I practically yelled to myself after a one-minute-long shower left me full soaked and fully female.

A few people in the street turned their heads when the panda behind me held up a sign which read [Hurry up boy, I want to see my friend soon!].

I spun around to face him, which turned a few 'male' heads because of the effect it had on my 'female' body, and said, "Shut up old man. I'm only going with you to meet my fiancée because were gonna see mom right afterwards." All the men on the street looked disappointed when they heard that that I had a fiancée. Everyone resumed walking, seeing that the small drama was over when pop and me continued on our way.

I knock on the front door of the Tendo Dojo and was greeted by a face that could only be described as gentle. A young woman who opened the door and said with a smile "Hello, may I help you?" Must be Kasumi "Hi, I'm Ranma Saotome, can me and pop come in?" I said as the lump of fur closed the front gate. "Oh my!" was her response when she noticed the panda standing next to me Defiantly Kasumi, "Su . . . Sure, if your pet is house trained." If she only knew . . . "I swear, he sometimes seems almost human." I said with a smirk.

As soon as I walked into the main room of the house I was grabbed into a crushing hug accompanied by a voice waling "At last! I'm so happy that you have come!" Soun Tendo, if I'm not mistaken It was then that he noticed my current gender, and another girl Nabiki walked next to me and poked me in the chest and said "He's… a she?" I let the 'ranma-ish' part of me take more control and responded "I ain't a girl! I'm a guy!"

"Doesn't look like it from where I'm standing." The same girl said as she helped her father onto a futon.

Suddenly another voice spoke up "Nabiki, don't be rude. So what if the guy we were suppose to meet is just a gender confused girl." must be Akanewas my thought as I turned to face the source of the voice and was completely stunned.

THAT'S AKANE!. If I said that 'I was smitten with her.' I would be lying, because I was in LOVE.

I now cursed myself for letting the ranma-part of my mind speak up because I instantly responded by saying "Look, I didn't ask you to butt in, and I said 'I'm a guy' and I meant it." STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

The look on Akane's face told me that she wouldn't let me get away with that commit. "Well then, you claim to be 'Ranma Saotome', who is suppose to be a strong martial artist, then spar against me and prove that you are who you say you are."

"I accept your challenge," were the first words out of my mouth, I was, at least, hoping I could have avoided this.

Akane, dressed in her training gi, and I walked into the dojo and squared off against each other, with her in an offensive stance and me in a relaxed defensive stance. Well… maybe I can help the situation by at least fighting back… some…

Akane started off by throwing a straight punch to my lower neck. She had a slight look of astonishment on her face when I didn't dodge, and converted the momentum of the attack into a back roll and then went into an offensive stance.

"Why . . . why didn't you block or dodge?" Akane asked with a bit of confusion. "Even a beginner could have at least avoided that attack." I gave her my best smirks I've been getting better at those and said, "I wanted to test out your 'average' strength. Now I know about how tough you are and can fight at your level."

Everyone else by now had gathered at the dojo door with varied looks on their faces. That is different. "Now that I am done 'testing the waters', let's continue," I said while maneuvering in close with speed and grace.

Akane spontaneously reacted by performing a snap kick, hoping to force me back and get some distance between us. I countered by sweeping out her other foot, and while she was still falling, put her into a midair shoulder throw. Akane flew across the room and landed upside-down at the base of the far wall with a 'Thud'.

"I do believe that is game, set, and match, sis." Nabiki committed from the sidelines, she probably is cursing herself for not having the others place bets on us "I guess you proved that you're Ranma, but you still haven't explained why you insist on being called a boy or why you have a panda with you." well I can at least avoid one disaster "That . . . is best explained  with a kettle of warm water . . . and preferably somewhere where everyone can sitting down," I responded.

After everyone was seated at the dinner table and Kasumi gave a kettle of water to me. I quickly pored some of the warm water on myself and then on my old man. There was a brief moment where all that was heard was a slight gasp, which was followed by . . . "Who . . .", "What . . .", "Huh . . .", "How . . .", and one "Oh my!"

"HOLD IT!" I interrupted sharply, "I am Ranma Saotome, and this is my pop . . ." "Genma Saotome" Pop said. "And before you start barging us with more questions, Pop will explain what happened."

Everyone quieted down while pop started telling the story of our trip to Jusenkyo, and my following interrogation. "I didn't like the idea of being forced into marriage, but I agreed with Pop that I would come to meet you in exchange for the chance to go see my mom afterwards." I concluded.

"Well then, sense we all know why we are here . . ." Soun said "My daughters; Kasumi, age 19; Nabiki, age 17; and Akane, age 16. Pick the one you want. She's your fiancée.

"I . . ." let's hope that Kasumi and Nabiki picks up their cue

"Oh, he wants Akane!" "Oh, definitely!" chimed the two elder girls Bingo, now Akane will disagree and . . .

"Ok . . ." came the response from Akane.

Huh? "Then it is settled!" Mr. Tendo said while weeping, "Akane and Ranma will be married, the wedding will be tomorrow . . ." I better gain control of the situation "Hold on!" I interrupted while trying to collect my thoughts. "Before you 'n Pop start calling the minister and all, I want to see my mom."

Mr. Tendo, after my outburst, caught his breath and spoke in a calmed (and less moist) voice. "Very well, Akane you will accompany Ranma and Genma as they visits Mrs. Saotome tonight. We will continue our discussion tomorrow after school."

Pop then finally decided to speak up, "Actually . . .  Soun . . . Ranma and Akane will be fine going alone seeing how it isn't to far away. But I would like to rest up tonight before I travel home."

"Quit mak'en excuses Pop. You just don't want to be there when Mom first hears about the curses!" I said irritated. 

All of the sudden Pop was replaced by a wet panda holding a sign saying [No Comment!] As I got up I turned to face my fiancée. "You coming Akane?"

"Sure." Akane said with a smile as we went out the front door. If this true love, then I'm in heaven.

Post-chapter author notes: As always, flames will be used to heat my hot pockets, but constructive criticism, suggestions and praises will be accepted with open arms. And the next chapters posting will be at a undetermined time in the near future (affected by things such as jobs, school projects, and times to recover my creative juices.