American McGee's 'Ranma'

Nabiki's eyes widened in an emotion she favored to inspire in others than experience herself, as she opened the door to a large, fierce looking panda, holding a young teenager by the scruff of the neck with paws adourned with sharp claws.

The image she usually presented was forgotten, as she ran from the front door, "AKANE! SAVE ME!"

Even with little love for her sister, it was Akane's sister. The young girl quickly got up, ready to rush to the door, as her sister raced around the corner, and hid behind her. She didn't need to get far, as the black and white beast that Nabiki encountered at the door.

It stood, seeming to survey the presence of everyone around, before its eyes settled on a cowering middle-aged man. Everyone could almost sense the disgust radiating from the panda, as it turned its head, snorted, and tossed its quiet companion onto the floor.

Feeling secure behind Akane, knowing the girl would at least be able to stall it for her to make a run for it, Nabiki remarked, "Are these your friends father?"

The shriveled man wildly shook his head in fear, attempting to dissappear into the shadowy corner.

Glowering in distain for the wretched creature that sired her, Nabiki continued to berate him, "Oh, I see, so panda just decided to visit us, is that it, 'Daddy'? Happens all the time!"

The other guest slightly tilted to look up to the girl, shocked at the venom laden in her voice for her father. Silently, Ranma wished that she was capable of challenging her own father, without serious repercussions.

Akane relaxed in stance, once she realized the panda wasn't interested in attacking, but waited patiently with narrow eyes. Taking the opportunity, she knelt down to the redhead on her knees on the floor, "Are you alright?"

The redhead nodded, turning to look up at the panda, as it stared back. "Ranma Saotome, I'm sorry about this."

"RANMA!" Soun's wail was like the Banshee's cry, finding release of its soul from etheral torment, "At last you're here!"

Ranma hadn't expected the fierce hug, or the strength the willowed man held in his frame, as agony of heavily worked joints and muscles ignited in a symphony of unyeilding pain. Ranma dared not scream out, for the 'conditioning' her father would put her through would be far worse. Instead, her eyes cast skyward, as her mouth opened in a soundless scream. Quickly, she crunched her eyes shut, attempting to focus through the pain.

Relief came shortly, as the man suddenly let go. Ranma nearly collapsed completely to the ground, when she was no longer supported, only to be caught by Akane, who glared at the panda sharply.

Nabiki noticed her father's confused expression, before noticing small things about Ranma that she didn't before. Roughly attempting to shove Akane out of the way, the middle Tendou sister grabbed Ranma's chest in a tight grip.

Ranma shut her eyes again, holding back the tears of pain and embarrassment, "Could you... not do that... please?"

Nabiki jerked her hand back, her fingers probably leaving read marks on the girl's bosom underneath her shirt. With a look of utter contempt, she turned to her father, "Ranma's a girl."

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Nabiki leaned against the wall, absolutely livid. This was far greater a waste of time than she even cared for. On the minimum, she was hoping for a hot martial artist stud that she could use for her own whimsical pleasures. She didn't have much used for girls other than control.

"Faather's sad," Kasumi lamented in an eerily soothing, hollow voice, watching him cower in the corner as if he were wrapping himself in the darkness, away from human eyes.

"Let the pathetic man be," Nabiki replied in a controled voice, "I at least expected a girl's fiance to be a guy."

Ranma continued to kneel with her eyes downcast in front of the large panda, facing away. She could feel it's unvoiced verbal assault on her, but gave no motion. Akane couldn't help but stare at the girl, she seemed so lonely, so unsure of anything around her. She decided that she may have lived an isolated life, to be training non-stop for ten years.

"Hmph, she's probably a dyke like Akane. I can understand how our idiot of a father could make such a mistake."

Akane went rigid, and turned away when Ranma's eyes glanced up to her. "Stop it, Nabiki," Akane replied in a quiet, trembling voice, "She's a guest."

"So?" Nabiki snapped. She was ready to follow up, before she snorted derisively, "Forget it. She's not my problem. I'm done wasting my time around here." Nabiki headed upstairs, and to her room.

"Oh my," Kasumi stated, as she slowly turned her head to follow where her sister had left to.

"I'm, I'm sorry."

Ranma looked down from Akane, not saying a word. She inwardly laughed in sharp self-loathing; if only she were one gender, she would gladly accept being with other girls, regardless of what sex she would be.

Akane ached at the sight of the girl who wrapped herself in what seemed to be a thick blanket of misery for her own security. In many ways, it was like a broken reflection. Akane could imagine herself in the girl's place, and...

Akane realized, the girl didn't argue against Nabiki's proclimation.

A kindred soul, was it possible? Akane felt a longing, one different from her habit. One she had fiercely dealt away with, every time it attempted to arise. It was the longing for someone else, someone who could possibly understand her, to share with her emotionally in ways she hadn't experienced since her mother died, and much more.

"Hey, join me in the practice hall?" Ranma looked up, shocked to find the girl speaking to her. As soon as she looked to Akane, shock was replaced with... something she didn't understand. Behind the cheerfully greeting smile, Ranma found the familiar pain of isolation, abuse, and self-loathing.

Akane continued, once she knew she had the girl's attention, "You trained in martial arts, right? I would like to see, if you don't mind." Ranma continued to stare, speechless.

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"This is just for fun, okay?" Akane consoled, as she stood across from the other girl. Ranma remained timid in her posture, as she looked up through her bangs at Akane. The raven-haired girl hoped that she could at least shock Ranma out of her withdrawn stupor, and hopefully begin the path to get her to open up. Akane badly needed a friend right now, one that didn't hold any obligations to her, or want something from her.

Ranma slightly nodded, "If you say so."

Akane frowned, finding no entheusiasm from the girl. Settling into stance, Akane began the match with a simple punch towards Ranma's head. Even those who didn't have much training could evade it, Akane decided, hopefully galvanizing Ranma into action.

Much to Akane's shock, it did. Ranma seemed to merely shift around the blow, not dodge, but simply flow around it like an etheral being. Akane decided that going easy wasn't necessary, and attempted a crescent kick. Once again, Ranma evaded, and that was when Akane noticed that she was already moving to evade before she even began the motion.

Another punch, and Ranma seemed to just drift out of the way, almost leaving a blur where she had once been. Spinning into another kick, she found Ranma standing behind her just as she had began to commit to the attack.

Jumping away, Akane looked at Ranma with some trepidation, "It's not possible! Is she reading my moves?" Behind her silent inquiry, her fustration began to build. She had worked to be the best martial artist in Nerima, attempting to maintain the reputation of her dojo, and dealing with all threats and challenges against her. She knew she needed to be the best, there was nothing else for her. If she wasn't, she was nothing. There would be nothing to offer Ranma; why would another girl want Akane's despair added to her own? What would Ranma have to do with a wretched, grossly over-built beast like her?

Akane felt the emotions boil to the surface, voices of her classmates whispering behind her back floated like ghosts past her ears, accusations of worthlessness from her sister Nabiki quite audible in her mind.

Ranma studied Akane, as she relaxed from stance with her head bowed, and her fists curled tightly; a slight sliver of light ran from Akane's left eye, down her cheek. Ranma began to reach out, feeling it was the right thing to do, attempt to comfort the other girl.

Ranma's hand extended, just as Akane's head snapped up in fury. "NO!" Akane screamed out, lashing out with a fierce punch.

Instinctively, Ranma leapt into the air in a graceful somersault that seemed to fluid for reality itself. As she turned around, she heard wood creaking heavily, and saw the dojo wall.... five yards in front of Akane, give in from just the pressure alone.

Akane stared in shock and fear, sickened and nearly distraught over what she had almost done. If Ranma had still been there...

Ranma jolted, as Akane suddenly dropped to her knees, facing away from the redhead. Ranma knelt next to Akane, laying her hand on the other girl's back in support.

"y... you're pretty good," Akane whispered, trying to salvage some of her dignity and integrity. She turned to look up at Ranma, expecting to see barely hidden fear, and was surprised at Ranma's smile.

Akane began a tenative chuckle, which Ranma joined in. Their laughter grew, until Akane's hiccuping sob cut her off. She stood up, wiping the tears from her eyes, hoping Ranma didn't notice them. "Well... I'm just glad your a girl," Akane began in a joking tone, after regaining control of her voice, "I would hate to have lost to a boy, huh?"

Unable to maintain her fragile facade, Akane briskly walked from the dojo, never looking back to see Ranma's expression.