Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Ranma 1/2 - A Different Life ❯ Part One ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A Different Life

Written by: Gyran

Author's Note - August 2002:

Hi everyone. I know I haven't been writing in a really long time. I just want
to say I'm really sorry about that. Real Life has been beating the crap outta
me. Plus I wasn't quite sure where I was going to take the story. Serious
writer's block has been kicking me while I was down from the beating Real Life
gave me. I've recently come across some free time, so I decided to look back at
my work.

Looking at this first chapter, I was disappointed about how it flowed, so I
began making adjustments. Soon I was going through the whole of this chapter
and making changes to dialogue and descriptions. It pretty much turned out to
be a major editing. Hopefully, it is improved from the original.

I'm planning on going through the other chapters to see if they could also use
some work, which I'm sure that they do. I'm still working on ideas for the next
chapter, and for the rest of the fic for that matter. Hopefully, as I go
through what I have already written, I'll come up with something. Keep checking
back, you never know when I might actually have something new up.

Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions or anything, feel free
to email me at rplanas@pacbell.net.


Original Author's Note:

All right everyone. This is my first attempt to write a Ranma 1/2 fanfic. I
don't know how well it's going to turn out so please bear with me.

This is an alternate universe fic; I believe that is the correct term. I am not
certain whether to tell you what changes I made or to just start writing and let
you see what I'm coming up with. Any advice about this would be greatly
appreciated. For now though I'm just going to let you, the readers see what
changes I have made for yourselves.

Please send comments and advice to rplanas@pacbell.net. I'll read any responses
that come in, but I'm going to ignore any flames I receive since this is my
first attempt.

Now we come to the usual disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and its characters are property
of Rumiko Takahashi. I am not making any profit off of this story so please
don't sue me. I'm but a poor student. Any characters that I make up belong to
me, if you wish to use any of them, which I highly doubt anyone would, but if
you do, please ask permission first and give credit their creator, namely me.
Okay, here goes nothing!

“Dialogue”
*Emphasis*
<Thoughts>

Part One: The Saotomes Move In

Japan. Tokyo. It was evening and the sky was lit with flashes of
lightning, the resounding thunder echoing throughout the area. Somewhere below
the storm was a simple two-story house with white painted walls and a black
slate roof where a family of three resided. Were it not for the fierce storm
that was raging at the time, a heated discussion could have been heard going on.

Genma Saotome and his wife Nodoka were having the discussion, although
argument would be more appropriate considering the topic. The topic,
incidentally, was eavesdropping on the 'discussion' from the door to his
bedroom.

Little four-year-old Ranma was old enough to understand that his parents
were talking about him. What he didn't understand was the reason. He knelt
down on the floor and left his room, crawling over to the balcony that
overlooked the first floor of the Saotome home. As he peered over the edge he
saw light streaming out from the doorway leading to the kitchen. He listened as
his mother's voice became angrier.

"I said no, Genma! Ranma is much to young for you to be taking him on
some ridiculous training trip!" Nodoka yelled at her husband, who shrank back
from her anger.

"Now, now, Nodoka," Genma said in a calming tone, hoping his irritated
wife wouldn't kill him for bringing up his idea. "Ranma is old enough to begin
training. After all, he is the heir to the Saotome School of Anything Goes
Martial Arts. He must be properly trained if he is going to carry on the
School."

"I have no problem with his being trained, Genma," Nodoka replied with a
hint of steel in her voice. "However, I believe that he can be trained just as
well at home as he can away from it."

"But Nodoka, dear," he went on, trying to sound reasonable. "I've been
planning on taking the boy on this trip ever since he was born. It will help
Ranma expand his horizons and allow him to grow as a martial artist. He will
learn from me as well as others that we encounter on this journey. In doing
this, I'll help Ranma grow into the best martial artist he can be."

"I see reasoning in your arguments, Genma," she said grudgingly after
taking in his words. "But I still say Ranma is too young."

Genma's face fell with disappointment.

His wife looked at his expression and gave an exasperated sigh. "All
right, perhaps next year, or the year after," she allowed.

"Very well, Nodoka," Genma said, his face brightening noticeably. "Until
then I'll begin training Ranma here."

Ranma heard chairs scraping as his parent stood up. The light in the
kitchen disappeared and footsteps could be heard. He scrambled to his feet and
returned to his bedroom, shutting the door quietly. Ranma now knew why his
parents were talking about him, but he still didn't understand completely. All
he knew was that he was supposed to start training...whatever that was.

****

Later that night, when all in the Saotome home were sound asleep, an
accident occurred. The thunderstorm had worsened as the night went on, the
lightning becoming more violent and more frequent. It was one of these streaks
of lightning that triggered the accident. A bright flash greeted the first
floor of the Saotome home as the lightning bolt speared in with a thunderous
boom. The house was on fire.

Ranma jolted into wakefulness upon hearing the lightning strike. He
looked around in confusion as he felt the temperature of his room rise
significantly. He didn't understand what was going on. All he knew was that it
was getting really hot. He got out of bed and walked out his bedroom door.

Outside his bedroom, a catastrophe was raging down on the first floor. He
could see furniture was ablaze and giving off tremendous amounts of heat. Ranma
gave a frightened shout and ran to his parents' bedroom. He burst through the
door and stumbled inside.

"Fire, Pop! House on fire!" he shouted as he entered.

"I know, boy!" Genma shouted back.

Genma and Nodoka had woken up almost immediately after the lightning had
struck. It took them a moment to realize what was going on since both were
heavy sleepers. For Genma it was natural, but Nodoka's heavy sleeping came from
learning to block out her husband's snores. As soon as they realized what had
happened, they both leaped out of bed. Then Ranma came tumbling in through the
door.

Genma was moving as quickly as possible. He rushed to the bedroom door.
Nodoka motioned Ranma to join her at her side as Genma decided that there was no
escaping through the burning building. He closed the door to the room and
grabbed a traveling pack he had prepared for his family in cases of "emergency".

"We can't get out through the house, Nodoka," he told his wife. "The
fire's spread too quickly already."

Nodoka nodded and grabbed a long, silk wrapped object from beside the bed.
Her other arm she put around her son.

Then the bedroom door slammed open with a burst of flame coming in
afterwards. Genma quickly shouldered the pack and opened the room's only
window, his wife and son right behind him. It was a good fifteen-foot drop to
the ground, but he didn't hesitate as he grabbed Nodoka and Ranma before jumping
out. With a light landing Genma set Nodoka down and they ran for it, Genma
still holding on to his son.

Once they had reached a safe distance, the family turned around and
watched. Fire trucks were now arriving on the scene, but it was too late. The
house was a total loss. Genma, still carrying Ranma, put his arm around his
wife as she began to weep.

"What will we do now, Genma?" she asked bitterly.

"I'm not sure," he replied, his voice heavy. "I have the 'emergency' pack
here." (Emergency being anytime Genma gets into serious trouble) "There's
enough money to get us a room at a hotel for a few nights, food for a few days,
plus a few changes of clothes for us. After that, I don't know."

They continued to watch as the firemen put out the fire that had consumed
their home. They were later questioned and then put up for the night in a
nearby hotel. Ranma was silent throughout the whole ordeal.

****

"So what are we going to do, Genma?"

A few days later, the Saotomes still did not have any idea of where to go.
Their money supply was dwindling and they had only enough for one more night at
the hotel.

Genma sighed, his expression doubtful. "Well, there is only one option I
can think of, but..."

"But what?" his wife demanded.

"I was thinking we could ask Soun Tendou if he could put us up."

"Soun? But his wife just..."

"I know. That is why I am reluctant to ask for his assistance. My old
friend is going through a hard time right now. I do not wish to impose on him
during this period. But we may have no choice, Nodoka." He looked around their
hotel room. It had only one bed, a nightstand with a lamp and phone, and a
bathroom. In the corner was a small table with two chairs where Nodoka and
Genma sat.

"You're right Genma," Nodoka said at last. "This may be the only way."

"I don't wanna!"

Ranma sat up from the bed where he had been lying, listening to his
parents' conversation.

"I don't wanna go to this Tendou! I wanna go home!"

Nodoka immediately walked over, picked up her son, and gently gave him a
hug. "I'm sorry, Ranma," she said in a comforting voice, "but our home is gone
now. We have to find a new one."

"NO! I WANNA GO HOME!"

"Ranma my boy," Genma began, "we don't have a home right now. My friend
Soun will help us to find another one."

"But I don't wanna new one pop," Ranma said miserably. "I want our old
one."

"I know, son," said Genma, hugging his wife and child. "I know."

"Perhaps you'd better call Soun now, Genma."

"Perhaps you are right, Nodoka."

He walked over to the phone to place a call.

****

Soun Tendou was in tears. He had just received a call from his old
friend, Genma Saotome. Genma had informed him of his recent misfortune that had
caused Soun's bout of weeping. Ever since his wife died a few months ago, it
did not take very much to send him into tears. Now, however, his grief was for
his friend, and he was only too happy to take the Saotome family into his home.

Because they were set to arrive the next day, Soun had much to prepare.

"Kasumi! Nabiki! Akane!" he called out to his daughters.

Seven-year-old Kasumi, five-year-old Nabiki, and four-year-old Akane ran
into the room.

"Yes father?"

"Yes daddy?"

"Yes daddy?"

"Girls," he began. "I have some important news to tell you. We are going
to have some friends of mine stay here with us at the dojo."

"Who?"

"Who?"

"Who?"

Soun smiled at his little girls. "The Saotome Family. Genma Saotome is a
very good friend of mine. He, his wife Nodoka, and their son Ranma will be
staying with us."

"Why?"

"Why?"

"Why?"

His expression became sad and tears threatened to emerge once more.
"Because, girls, the Saotomes have lost their home. It caught on fire and
burned down. So my friend Genma, his wife Nodoka, and their little boy, Ranma,
need somewhere to live now."

"Oh."

"Oh."

"Oh."

His smile returned as his daughters eyes revealed their understanding.
"So we must get one of the extra rooms ready for them to stay in, alright?"

"Okay," said all three at once.

And with that ended, the four members of the Tendou household began
preparations for the arrival of their guests.

****

The next morning, the Saotomes arrived at the Tendou Training Hall. The
three were standing in front of the large wooden gate that marked the entrance
to the Hall, a sign next to it reading 'Tendou Anything Goes Martial Arts
Training Hall'.

Ranma stared at the entrance, his expression unsure.

"This is where we're going to live now? It doesn't look very nice."

"Just wait, Ranma," Genma told him, his voice slightly reprimanding.
"We're still outside. Once we see the inside of the Training Hall, I'm sure
you'll change your mind. We'll even be able to start your training in a real
dojo."

"Don't worry, Ranma," Nodoka said calmly. "It will all work out." She
gave him a reassuring smile. "You'll even have some other children to play
with."

"I will?" he asked eagerly. "Who?"

"Mr. Tendou has three daughters, Ranma," answered his father. "Kasumi,
Nabiki, and Akane. Akane is your age I believe."

Ranma's face immediately scrunched up with disgust. "Ugh! Girls? You
want me to play with girls?"

"And what's wrong with girls, Ranma?" his mother asked him with a stern
look.

"Aw, Mom. Girls are...you know...girls. They're so...umm...well..." He
faltered as his mother's eyes narrowed. "Uh, nothin' I guess."

His father chuckled. "Don't worry my boy. I'm sure you and the girls are
going to get along just fine."

"If you say so, pop," He said with a sigh.

Genma turned back to the gate and pushed it open. He entered the Training
hall with Nodoka and Ranma following right behind him.

Ranma gasped as he took in the site of his new home. It was beautiful.
There was green grass to play on and a koi pond to splash around in. But the
best part was the beyond the pond. The house was larger than his old one had
been. Instead of just one building, this one had two connected to each other by
a covered walkway.

Ranma stared in wonder.

"Wow!" was all he could say. He just couldn't believe his eyes. This
place was a lot nicer than his old home. <Maybe,> he thought, <maybe this place
ain't gonna be so bad after all.>

"Told you so, my boy," Genma said with a smirk. Then, shouting at the top
of his lungs, he announced their arrival.

"Tendou!! We're here!!"

"Genma!" Nodoka exclaimed, shock clearly evident in her voice. "You don't
just shout out that we're here!"

"Ah, don't worry, Nodoka," Genma told her, waving her protest aside.
"Soun wouldn't have me greet him any other way."

"Saotome!" came a cry from the house. "My friend!"

The Saotomes turned towards the house to see a man wearing a brown gi
emerging. Behind him walked three little girls.

Ranma, still not sure what to make of these people he was going to be
staying with, felt quite nervous about meeting them and scrambled to hide behind
his parents.

As the man and the girls approached, Ranma poked his head around his
father's legs to get a better look at the people he was going to be living with.
He saw a girl who was a few years older than him. She had brown hair that went
a bit past her shoulders and kind brown eyes. She was wearing a simple white
dress and had a kind smile.

The next girl looked to be only a little older than he was. Her brown
hair came to just above her neck and her brown eyes had a mischievous look in
them. Dressed in a t-shirt and overalls, she studied Ranma intently.

But it wasn't these two that he really focused on. The third girl stood
out among her sisters because her hair, instead of brown like her sisters, was
black. It was cropped short and made her look almost boyish. The green baseball
cap she had on helped that impression along, as well as the t-shirt and jeans.
Her eyes, brown like her sisters, were welcoming and friendly.

Ranma realized that he was staring at them. He quickly ducked back behind
his parents.

"Ah, Tendou," Genma said, giving the other a backslapping bear-hug. "It
is good to see you again, my old friend."

"It has been quite some time, Saotome," Soun replied. He turned to look
at Nodoka.

"And you, Nodoka, are as lovely as ever," he told her as he gave her a
welcome hug.

"Why thank you, Soun," she said. "I'm glad to see you once again as
well."

"Now, where is your son?" Mr. Tendou asked, clapping his hands in
anticipation. "Where's Ranma?"

"Ranma?" Genma looked behind him and found Ranma still attempting to
hide. "Come now my boy. Say hello to Mr. Tendou."

Ranma slowly peeked his head around his father again. He looked up to see
Mr. Tendou looking down at him. He had a kind face, brown eyes, and a smile
beneath a brown mustache.

Ranma gave a hesitant smile in return. "Hello Mr. Tendou."

"It's nice to meet you at last, Ranma. I hope you like staying here."

"I hope I like it here too, Mr. Tendou. Umm...so far it looks nice."
Still peeking around his father, he gave the area another look. "It's an
awfully big home."

Mr. Tendou chuckled. "Yes, it is rather, isn't it? Now Ranma, these
three girls are my daughters."

Ducking back behind his father again, Ranma slowly peeked his eyes around.

Mr. Tendou was smiling at him again. "Come on now, Ranma. It's all
right. They won't bite."

Ranma slowly stepped out in front of Mr. Tendou as he presented his
daughters to him.

"This here is Kasumi." The oldest girl stepped forward, a smile still on
her face

"Hello Ranma," she greeted him kindly.

Ranma gave her a nervous smile and a little wave hello. The next daughter
stepped forward as Mr. Tendou said, "and this one is Nabiki."

"Hi Ranma," said Nabiki with a smirk on her young face.

He ducked his head and replied, "H-h-hi."

"And this last one is Akane."

Akane stepped forward slowly, a bit unsure about the boy in front of her.
She stood in front of Ranma, waiting for him to look at her. After a while,
when he had made no move to raise his head, she began to get angry. "Hey! Are
you gonna look at me or not!?"

Startled Ranma raised his head to look at the girl in front of him. Her
eyes were flashing with anger and she looked like she was about to hit him. He
quickly looked down again.

Kasumi looked at bit shocked at Akane's words while Nabiki snickered. Mr.
Tendou kneeled down behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Now, now,
Akane," Mr. Tendou chided his daughter. "Ranma is just a little shy, and he
needs some time to adjust. So don't get angry at him, alright?"

"Okay daddy," she said. Turning back to Ranma, she said "Hi, I'm Akane."

Ranma raised his head, confused at the change in her voice. He was
slightly startled to fine her smiling at him. He returned her smile, a bit
unsure.

"I'm Ranma," he said.

Her smile grew wider at his words. "You wanna be friends?"

Ranma was even more confused. A second ago this girl was yelling at him.
Now she wanted to be friends. He scratched his head and mumbled, "Uh...sure?"

"Okay girls," Mr. Tendou spoke up once more. "These two here are Ranma's
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Saotome."

The three girls looked up at Ranma's parents. "Hello! Nice to meet you,"
the three of them greeted.

A thoughtful look on his face, Soun made a waving gesture with his hands
and said, "Why don't you girls show Ranma around while I talk to the Saotomes?"

"Yes father."

"Yes daddy."

"Yes daddy."

"Go along with them now, Ranma," his mother told him, brushing hair out of
his eyes. "Don't worry, we'll see you in a little bit."

She waved him along to follow the Tendou girls.

"Uh...okay mom."

And with that, Ranma followed the girls as they began showed him around
the Tendou Training Hall. He looked back once to see his parents in deep
discussion with Mr. Tendou. He sighed and continued walking around his new
home.

****

Well that's the end of the first part. Not much really happened here I
suppose. I just wanted to get everything set up. Once again let me know what
you think, but no flames. If I get any, I'll ignore them 'cause I'm merely a
beginner when it comes to writing Ranma fanfiction. But any advice would help.
E-mail rplanas@pacbell.net. Thanks again.