It was late night when I had woken up from a dream I can't seem to remember. I knew what it was about though. My mind has once again visited the memory I had wanted so much to erase, yet I have no heart to forget.

Nerima... a city where I have stayed the longest, a place where I can confidently called home. I had came there as a potential fiancé for one of the Tendou girls because my father and their father made a verbal pact with each other that their children would be engaged with each other.

It was a long journey, as my father took me from my mom, and began a training journey. Partially thanks to my mom, the idea that I should be a man among men was the main theme. Oyaji berated me, called me a girl when I had been showing weakness.

Some people would ask me why being called a girl would be insulting... well, as far as my memory is concerned, it was just there, like it was ingrained to me, like that stupid Neko-ken. But I guess my old man blackmailed me, saying that if I had been getting all 'girly' I would never see my mom again. I don't know why I think like that, but it would probably be the most logical reason.

Well, after ten years of training, it seems Genma was not satisfied with the pact with the Tendous. He traded me to Kami-sama only knows how many engagements for food, martial arts technique, money, and stole me back. He had squandered the honor the Saotome Clan had, reducing them to rubbish.

My old man always preached about honor, but then, the bastard was the biggest hypocrite anyone will see. He will uphold his own stupid version of honor unless his life is threatened or his stomach is empty. That was his honor.

It took a while, but after two years of searching for the cure for my curse, me betrothed had cheated on me, dishonored her family as she was the one to chosen to be my fiancée. I didn't feel that, though. What I felt was betrayal and pure rage. Since that day, my view in life, and habit changed completely.

I walked back to the Tendou hall, and to my shock, and adding anger, my father and her father knew about the relationship. They told me it was going on for almost a year, when that pig boy came and accidentally cheered Akane up while I was away.

Looking back, the way they explained it was kinda funny. They blamed me why Akane had cheated because I went out to find a cure. Of course, they didn't know I had some for my old man, so he can just suck on that. They also told me I now had to pick between Nabiki and Kasumi. I felt sick.

I had loved Akane, although I would never admit it before, but I did. Marrying her sister was like marrying my sister, if I had one! But, then, I knew that this would never end. Kasumi had liked someone, I knew it, and no way in the world will I marry Nabiki. I left the house.

I walked towards Juuban, to my moms, and bought a cigarette along the way. I didn't know why, but during those times, and now, the nicotine had helped me calm my nerves. I also felt somewhat rebellious at that time. Why should I take all the crap my old man has to put me through without fun? That thought was born from my head.

When I had finally come to my won home, I talked to my mother, hoping she would give me advice. Boy did she ever.

My mom was really smart. Her proposition sounded almost like running away from honorable duty, but my mom said it was not the case. The Tendou's had a breach of agreement when my chosen fiancée was going with that pig boy. Although it was stated a Saotome and a Tendou would join, it was clear the other two would not have accepted, as they 'dumped' me to Akane.

My mom said that reason alone could be my breakthrough, but then I asked what about Ucchan, or Shampoo. My mom went silent for a while, thinking about it, no doubt honor as a base.

Finally, she told me that since I was legally a man, I could make my own decisions. First, she told me that she would help me be free of any engagements done by Genma, by assisting me in changing my name. It worked perfectly. From Saotome, I became Onizuka, a unique and cool sounding name. I have to smile while I'm writing about this.

Now that I am Onizuka, my engagement with Ucchan is gone. It would also would clear my engagement with Shampoo, but I had a feeling they won't accept it just like that. Maybe that was the only unfinished case from my mom's brilliant scheme, so I just left it alone, hoping to think of a solution next time.

Next week, with a little paperwork, and some bribe money, the papers went smoothly and undetected. That day, I was Onizuka Ranma, no longer connected to the Saotome Clan.

Along with my change of name, I had a change of looks and attitude as well. I cut off a part of my pigtail, making it way shorter than before. I also bleached it blonde for the heck of it. Next, came with my attitude. I practiced in constantly using my soul of ice, making my face unreadable and tone colder than what I normally would use. It had insulted, scared and made other people practically leave me alone, isolating me. It suited me fine from that point.

I transferred to another district, and found a school which suited me fine. From that day, Onizuka Ranma, age 18, repeated second year high school, starting on his quest to renew his life...

++++++++

Ranma yawned as he put his journal down and closed it. He hid it under his bed, the place where he could remember putting, and closed the light. The moon outside was still shining a bit brightly, giving Ranma some comfortable light.

Going to his bed, Ranma looked at his left, towards the wall, as he counted down towards April, his first day of work as a teacher. Yawning again, Ranma went back to sleep, and this time, he was not awoken anymore.

End of First Entry; Journal of Onizuka Ranma.