** In order for this to make sense, you should be familiar with "Ranma nibun no ichi", all episodes. My thanks to Kunoichi for her excellent stories and inspiration. Please note!! This is a something of a Parallel Universe to the one represented in Kunoichi's series, and is in *NO* way intended to be a continuation or addition to her storylines. Since this is a first effort, I 'borrowed' from an established line. If response is good, I'll go out on the limb with my next effort. As always, C&C is anticipated, accepted, and appreciated. All original Ranma1/2 Characters and Backstory Copyright Rumiko Takahashi, and are used without permission. All of her characterizations, circumstances and backgrounds used with **Kunoichi's** permission.** ==================================================================== Almost a Miracle - Part 1; Once Again, Never again to Jusenkyo. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Akane crossed the dining area of her home, casting a glance at Soun and Genma as they engaged in yet another game of Go. It never ceased to amaze her that every time they would visit, they would instantly fall back on their old habits. Nearby, Miyabi played contentedly at the low table, arranging a plastic tea service with the precision of a watchmaker. Ranma appeared at that moment as well, toweling sweat from his brow. He had just finished with the day's classes, and for his part, looked forward to a bath and some of Akane's curried rice, which he could already smell. Noticing her heading up the hall, he turned and followed after her. "How did the class go?" she asked, as he fell in beside her. "Excellent. I think we may get a few representatives into the Tournament next month, and Uuchan's daughter is showing some real power," he replied, towelling his hair. "How was your day?" "Miyabi finally figured out her spinning kick, and broke the back door again. I swear, attitude and all, she's onna-Ranma's daughter," she replied, elbowing him gently. The jibe about his female half stopped him in his tracks, at which he returned a strange look. "R... Ranma? What is it? Did I say something wrong?" she asked, reaching to him. "Akane... We have to talk. But not right now. I have to get a bath first," he replied quietly, then walked quickly to the bath. Akane meanwhile, cupped her hands under her chin, her delicate features distorted by worry. She had not seen this in Ranma for several years, and feared that certain 'old ghosts' may be revisiting their happy home. Her depressing thoughts were thankfully interrupted by Miyabi-Ko, who had wandered up tugged on her apron. "Okaasan... Okaa-san! Masao-kun is awake. He's awful mad, too!" she announced, her green eyes sparkling in the afternoon sun. "Oh, Mi-Chan. Don't worry. I'll fix him up right now," she replied, scooping the 6 year old up and kissing her forehead lovingly. Ranma stood naked before the mirror in the bath, staring at his male form. With a heavy sigh, he picked up the bucket of cold water beside him, and dumped it over his head. Upon shaking the water off, she opened her eyes and stared at herself. The red-haired Chinese girl in the mirror stared right back, eyes already welling with tears. She knew that every male who had ever cast eyes on her body wanted it badly; like Kuno, who would still glomp it every chance he had, whether Nabiki was around or not. Even she had to admit, it was a nice body, but, after so many years and so many problems, she'd grown to hate it. The girl in the mirror began to scowl as Ranma thought about how life would have been so much better had the curse never happened. Her beautiful, happy daughter, and strong, healthy young son would never have needed to call a woman 'Papa', and she's hav ebeen able to swim, play in the pool, or have a game of garden hose tag with them as their Dad. As well, she would have known the simple pleasure of walking the beach in ankle-deep ocean water with her beloved Akane; as her husband. She loved her family with everything she was, and it hurt deeply to know that they also bore the curse. The sad-faced girl reached up and undid her pig-tail, allowing the flame red hair bound within it to fall freely about her shoulders. Looking at the reflection once again, the tears that had only threatened to flow became a sniffle, followed by a full-fledged cry. Then, the small body that was hers but his crumpled to the floor, the release of emotion too overwhelming. Fighting the tide back, she picked herself up and moved slowly into the hot bath, drawing comfort from the enveloping warmth. Pulling his now male form into a sitting position, his face grew determined. "No doubt about it. It's time. And there ain't nothing or no one that's gonna stand in my way." Meantime, Akane and Mi-Chan carried the last of the serving platters into the dining room, where Soun and Genma were already camped. Masao played on the floor beside Soun, who couldn't help but smile proudly at his grandson. He had dreamed of moments like this from his days training with Genma, but in recent years had almost given up on any of his daughters marrying. In particular the now almost 30 year old Akane. She, however, ended up surprising him by giving him his first grandchild, and maturing into a caring, loving wife and mother. His heart twitched as he thought of how proud his dear wife would have been, and of how much Akane reminded him of her. Suddenly, he rose from his place, and politely excused himself. Akane blinked, until she noticed the tear in his eye, and the fact that he was headed for her mother's shrine. "Oh, Dad..." she thought to herself, shaking her head. "How's my little family?" Ranma then called out, as he appeared from the hallway. "Papa!" Miyabi exclaimed, running over to his waiting arms. He swept the little girl up, and spun her squealing through the air. Masao wandered over as well, and watched the show wide-eyed and grinning. He raised his pudgy little arms to his father as he set Miyabi down giggling, and Ranma responded by swooping him up and giving him a gentler spin. "Careful, Dad... He just woke up," Akane cautioned, smiling at the antics. Throughout supper, Ranma chattered away happily with his children, at times making them laugh so hard that they couldn't eat. Akane tried to keep some semblance of order, but in the end, all she could do was shake her head and smile. After Akane and Miyabi cleared the table and Soun and Genma returned to their Go board, Ranma wandered out by the pond, settling on the large rock. After several minutes, Akane noticed her husband sitting alone, flinging the occasional stone into the glassy water. Biting her lower lip, she walked out and sat beside him. "Ranma? What's bothering you? I'm not used to you being so quiet." "Akane... " he began, tossing another stone. "We have a little money, now that the Dojo is doing well, and the kids are finally old enough. I think..." "Don't say another word. I know what you're going to suggest," she broke in, lowering her eyes. "You want to go back to China." "Yeah," he replied, softly. "I've brought enough disgrace to this family, and it's time to rid myself of this curse -- for good." "Ranma... If it's me you're doing this for, you needn't worry. I love you no matter what form you take." "I know. That's why this hurts so much," he replied, tossing another rock, this time with emphasis. "Akane, you and the kids are my entire life. I can't ask you to bear this disgrace any longer simply because of your love for me," he began, turning and taking her soft face in his hand. "And our children; I'd die for them, but I subject them to this burden every day of their lives. It's too much to ask, Akane," he continued, his fists clenching. "I never want to see that red-haired girl again," he continued, his aura flaring briefly. Akane could see the years of built up rage in her husband's eyes, and sighed heavily, her heart going out to his tortured soul. Reaching up, she hugged him for all she was worth. "If you want to go back to China, then we can leave any time you wish. I just want to be with you, and I want you to be happy." "Thank you Akane... I love you," he replied, returning the hug in kind. After making some very discreet arrangements, Ranma and Akane boarded a plane on a direct flight for Hong-Kong. They had gone to great lengths to ensure no one knew of their plans, and even bought their tickets under false names. Ranma didn't want anyone knowing he was going, since he wanted to handle the affair privately, and avoid a disaster like the "Japanese Nyannichuan" incident. Upon arriving, they wasted no time in picking up the rental car and heading for Jusenkyo. Akane was nervous about the entire trip, fearing that something would go wrong, leaving them in a worse predicament than the one they sought to remedy. Also on her mind was that, despite never having told Ranma so to his face, she had grown to genuinely like onna-Ranma, and knew she would miss her. As they traveled, Ranma became more excited with each passing mile. He described various places along the route that he and his father had been through, telling Akane of their training rituals, adventures and misadventures. She was impressed with his knowledge, even though almost fifteen years had passed. That thought made her realize just how long they had known one another, and how much they had changed over the years. Ranma was no longer the brash, arrogant, excitable boy she once knew, and she was no more the headstrong, pugilistic, narrow-minded girl she had once been. She still threw the odd object at Ranma when his mouth moved faster than his brain, but time had mellowed them both, and they had a family to consider, too. As these thoughts played through her mind, she glanced at her reflection in the vanity mirror, and gently fingered the small strands of gray hair that had recently shown up in her now fairly long pony-tail. Sighing, she smiled gently to herself, and snuggled up against her husband's side. Ranma smiled happily and draped his free arm over her shoulders. She responded with a content moan, and nestled in even closer. As night fell, Ranma pulled into a Hotel that was located only a few miles from Jusenkyo Proper, and the fateful training grounds. Gently waking his dozing wife, he checked them in and led her to their room. After unpacking, he took advantage of the occasion to take her out for dinner, splurging on a feast fit for a king in the hotel's fancy restaurant. All through the meal, he noticed that she seemed a bit preoccupied, even distant at times. After several attempts to break the ice, he could stand it no longer. Taking aim, he flicked a fish-cake at her cheek, where it struck with a resounding splat. She turned on him, eyes flaring. "What is your problem, Ranma?" she yelled, slamming her hands on the table. The sudden outburst caused a waiter directly behind her to almost drop the tray he carried, and heads to turn all over the room. "Now that's more like it!" he exclaimed, grinning. "Now you're back here with the rest of us," he continued, looking her in the eye. "Ranma, you...!" she began, about to issue her favorite comeback. However, she stopped in mid-sentence, and lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Ranma... I guess I haven't been much company tonight," she stated, settling back into her chair. "What is it Akane? The food no good?" he asked, trying to pry her thoughts out. "No, Ranma... It's wonderful. I haven't had Chinese this good for ages," she replied, trying to get into the occasion. "Okay... Then what is it?" "I can't put my finger on it... I'm kind of confused, I guess. I don't know how to feel about this trip," she replied, resting her chin in her hands and looking back at him. "Believe me, Akane... It's for the best. You'll have a real husband for the first time in your marriage," Ranma encouraged, reaching across the table to touch Akane's hand. "I know... It's just going to be an adjustment." Ranma nodded his agreement, and finished the rest of his meal in silence, leaving his wife to her thoughts. After dinner, they returned to their room, where Akane promptly excused herself and disappeared into the bathroom. Ranma used the excuse to flip through channels on the T.V., hoping for something amusing. Several minutes later, Akane reappeared, dressed in the sexy negligee she had first worn on their honeymoon, and carrying something behind her back. Ranma heard her approach, and turned to see her posing demurely, looking every bit as lovely as she did on their wedding night. With the light from the open bathroom door creating an almost angelic glow around her, he drank in every detail of her sexy curves, in awe of how she looked so gorgeous even after almost 10 years of marriage and two children. Her chest was still firm and perky, her stomach still flat and lean, and her legs as lithe as those of a dancer. "Akane... You look incredibly... Beautiful," he finally managed to sputter, his voice barely a whisper. "Ranma..." she began, voice almost timid. "I know how you feel about this, and I would accept your decision not to humour me, but I... Have to ask. Just once more... For the last time?" she continued, producing a hotel ice bucket full of water from behind her back. He rolled off the bed, and in one fluid motion was standing before her, looking straight into her pleading eyes. "Akane-chan... For you, anything," he whispered, pulling her soft form close. Onna-Ranma awoke with the dawn, still holding the slumbering Akane. She looked around the room and chuckled, noticing how the bed and surrounding furniture resembled a war-zone. Thinking about how it got that way brought a wry smile to the Chinese girl's face, and a warm feeling to her chest. With a last look at Akane's sleeping face and a quiet sigh, she slid from beside her sleeping spouse, and made her way to the bathroom. Standing before the shower door, Ranma looked at her female incarnation once again, and her thoughts drifted back to the previous night. Akane seemed to really enjoy making love to her when she was like this, even though she loved sex with his make side, too. For a moment, she considered simply changing her mind about going to the Springs. Intent as she was about shedding the curse, she knew that if Akane wanted to keep onna-Ranma around, she wouldn't be able to refuse her. Sighing, she drew a bath, then stepped into the shower and washed up. As he sat in the bath a few minutes later, he heard Akane stir and call out his name. "I'm in here, Akane!" he responded, happy that she was awake. She wandered into the bathroom sleepily, still totally nude herself. Ranma still had to swallow hard at the sight, even though he knew her body intimately. "Morning, sleepyhead," he chimed, rising from the bath and grabbing a towel. "Morning, Ranma," she responded, slipping him a big kiss. He returned the favor, then patted her sexy backside as he left the room. After she finished in the bathroom, she rejoined him as he sat at the small table near the bed. He could tell that she was thinking again, and didn't have to guess what about. "What is it?" he asked, not really sure he wanted to hear the answer. "I... " she began, turning to look him in the eye. "I was just thinking about the past, and how I used to think you were such a pervert. But now... If this works... I think I'm actually going to miss onna-Ranma. Last night... Proved it to me," she sighed, wistfully. "Akane... I..." Ranma began, but Akane cut him off. "I love you Ranma... And I will support you whatever you do. I'm... Really surprised I feel this way, but when you think about it, she's been as much a part of my life as you have. We've gone shopping, had ice cream, shared clothes, talked girl-talk... She's even saved my life a few times," she explained, voice earnest. "Mi-Chan just loves to see you change, you know. She's even dumped water on you just so she could play with onna-Ranma," Akane continued, eyes downcast. "I know..." Ranma agreed, smiling at the thought. "It's just that I have to try to shake this curse, Akane. Sure, its had a few good points, but its mostly been a big pain. In fact, now that you mention it, it almost cost me the most important thing in my life. You," he countered, gently clasping her hand. "Ranma No Baka," she sighed, leaning forward to hug him. They held each other for several minutes, during which he could feel cracks appearing in his resolve. Frowning, he decided to put the issue to rest for all time. Grasping her shoulders, he lifted her face into view. Looking straight into her bewildered eyes and drawing a deep breath, he asked her the question point-blank. "Akane... Once and for all, do you want me to change back for good?" She took a deep breath before responding. "Ranma... You... Have to follow your heart. Do what's best for you. My feelings don't really matter here. After all, this has been your desire for as long as I've known you. I couldn't bear thinking that you gave up on it just to please me," she finally admitted, again lowering her eyes. "Akane... If this fails, I... Won't try again. I guess that would mean that I'm fated to remain like this. But until I know, I can't rest," he asserted, sighing inwardly. "And Akane..." "Hai, Ranma?" "Thank you for letting me try." "Oh, Ranma..." she admonished, hugging him again. Later, as the two of them settled into the car, he looked over at her just as she returned an expectant face. "Ready?" he asked, eyebrows raised. "As I'll ever be," she replied, with a wink. "All right then... Let's go," he exclaimed, starting the car. A little less than half an hour later, he wheeled the car into the grounds of Jusenkyo, and pulled up alongside the small shack that to his surprise, still stood there. Hearing the vehicle approach, the now aged Chinese Guide poked his head out to see who it was. A moment later, he hopped out of the shack and wandered up to it. Squinting, he looked into the driver's side window, and his eyes opened wide when he saw Ranma waving back at him. "Sir! You come back! And bring pretty woman with you! Very good, sir!" he exclaimed, stepping back as Ranma opened his door. "I never thought I'd be glad to see you again, old man. Akane! This is the Guide Pop and I met here back in the beginning." "Pleased to meet you," she smiled, bowing. "This pretty lady your wife, sir?" the Guide asked, smiling. "She very, very pretty. You make strong babies with this one, sir," he continued, shooting Ranma a wink. Akane blushed. "Why you come back to ju-sen-kyo, sir? Training ground is closed for ever." "I know... I came to show my wife the Spring of Drowned Young Girl. She knows all about me, and I wanted to let her see where it all happened. And... I want to reverse this curse," he explained, looking levelly at the old Guide. "Ohh, sir... Only one way you do that. You must be girl, and fall in Spring of Drowned Young Man," he began, holding up his familiar, though now grayed and tattered flip-sign. "Very tragic story of man who drown in spring 890 year ago, and now whoever fall in spring take body of young man." "You're still doing that?" "It my job, sir," the old Guide smiled. Akane, meanwhile, giggled to herself. "Okay... Take us in. It's time to get this over with." "You sure about this, sir? Very dangerous!" "More than you know," he deadpanned, grim-faced. The old Guide shrugged, then walked toward the gate leading to the Springs. As he opened the rusty lock, Ranma took Akane's hand and led her into the training area. Just as it had been almost fifteen years earlier, it was made up of several hundred scattered pools of water, each with one or two bamboo poles planted in it. Ranma found himself wondering why the poles weren't rotted, since the grounds had been closed for so long. The Guide led the couple to a Spring near the eastern edge of the grounds. Stopping, he turned to Ranma and Akane, and with a flourish, announced the name of the Spring. "This one Spring of Drowned Young Girl. Very tragic story of young girl who drown in spring 1,500 year ago, and now anyone who fall in spring take body of young girl," he stated, again producing his flip-sign. "So this is it, eh, Ranma? The source of all your problems. Looks innocent enough," Akane observed, leaning forward for a better look. As she did so, she felt Ranma's hand tighten on hers. "Be careful, Akane... I don't want you fallin' in one of these. Okay, old man, where's the Spring of Drowned Man?" "Over there, sir. We go now, and I show you." Again, they followed the Guide through a maze of paths, Akane stealing a glance at Ranma as they went. His face bore a look of grim determination, and she found herself becoming nervous for him. She had to wonder what would happen if this didn't work, and found herself afraid to even consider it. Finally, they stood before the Spring of Drowned Young Man, and Akane could sense Ranma tensing up. The Guide went through his little ritual once again, then turned his attention to Ranma. "Okay, sir. This it. You need to change to girl, then jump in," he instructed, producing a bucket of water from behind his back. "Where did you get that?" he spat, recovering from his double-take. "It my job, sir," the Guide replied, grinning. Taking the bucket from the guide, he waved Akane back from the edge of the pool, and dumped it over his head. The redhead shook the water out of her hair, then turned to Akane. "This is it. Give me a hug goodbye, Akane... If this works... You'll never see this me again," she half-smiled, opening her arms. Akane stepped forward tentatively and hugged the small Chinese girl, sniffing back tears. She wasn't sure, though, whether the tears were for her, for Ranma, or somehow, for both. Ranma finally broke from the hug, and turned back to face the Spring. After several tense moments of silence, she drew a long breath. "Here goes..." With a blood-curdling yell that made Akane's heart skip a beat, onna-Ranma leapt into the air, and with a graceful triple forward roll, arced directly into the waiting pool. The impact generated a huge splash, narrowly missing Akane and the Guide. As the dark water closed over her, Ranma immediately sensed something was terribly wrong. She was sinking fast, almost as if the pool was dragging her down. Beginning to panic, she struggled hard to get back to the surface, but gained little if any ground. As she fought, she could feel her air running out, and her muscles cramping up. In her panicked mind, however, there was only one thought. "Akane..." The waters of the pool slowly settled back to a smooth glassy surface, showing no trace of the huge intrusion it had just endured. Several long seconds then passed with no movement, not even a bubble rising to the surface. Akane began to panic, and grabbed the hapless Guide by his tunic. "He's drowning! Get something to pull him out!! Fast!" she shrieked into his face. "Very bad! Very bad! I get rope!" he sputtered, turning and running off. Chest clenched, she dropped by the edge of the pool, searching with blurring eyes for some hopeful glimpse. But there was none. "Ranma!" she cried, into the immobile, dark water. "Ranma! Don't die! Ranma! Come up, you idiot!" she yelled again, until a bone-rattling shudder ran her spine. "Ranma, nooo...!" Later, in the Guide's shack, a soaked Ranma lay silently on a makeshift cot, covered with an old woolen blanket. The Guide paced frantically, repeatedly muttering "This very bad... I tell him; Very dangerous! I tell him!" Akane lay slumped over Ranma's legs, crying quietly. Ranma lay quite still, exhibiting no signs of life. Akane reached up and gently brushed an errant lock of red hair away from her eyes. "Ranma... No Baka..." Abruptly, the silence was shattered by a squeaky female voice. "I am *not* an Idiot!" Ranma announced, weakly. "Ranma! You're alive!" Akane gasped, dropping a huge hug on her. "Ohh, sir... You make us worry. Not nice thing to do to bride and old man like me." "Errgghhh!" groaned onna-Ranma as she tried to sit up. "Oh, damn, that took a lot out of me... Hey! Why am I still a girl?" she demanded, staring at the Guide. The Guide blinked. "Hmmm... You say you married?" "Yeah, but what's that got to do with it?" "Your girl-type... Still virgin or no?" "No... But that's not supposed to be your business, anyway!" she replied, cheeks flushing despite her growing anger. "That it then. Girl-type not virgin, not same as girl who drown in Spring. Other springs can't send spirit back if not same any more. Too bad..." the Guide answered, shaking his head sadly. "RRRRHHH! Why didn't you say so!! I wouldn't have bothered coming!" "Sir... You no ask!" Onna-Ranma just glared at the grinning guide, fighting the temptation to send him through the wall. Disgusted, she looked around the room for Akane. "Akane... Did you hear that? I'm stuck like this forever! I'll never be able to shake this damned curse!" she yelled, her voice cracking with despair. "That's okay, Ranma... Everything will be just fine," answered a decidedly male voice from the shadows. Ranma spun toward the voice, seeing only a head of dark hair and those unmistakable eyes. Akane sighed, then leaned into the light slowly. "I guess it really doesn't matter that much now," Akane continued, moving futher into view. Ranma shuddered, and had to shake her head to take another look. Opening her eyes again, her jaw dropped. Before her knelt a handsome Japanese MAN, who bore a striking resemblance to Akane. In fact, he was wearing Akane's clothes. "A... Akane?" she sputtered, resisting what her eyes were telling her. "Hai, Ranma... It's me. When you didn't come right back up, I dove in after you. The guide here had to pull us both out. Now, I'm just like you... O-only in reverse," Akane-Kun replied, expression somewhere between laughing and crying. "Kuso... Akane. I'm so sorry... Can you ever forgive me for doing this to you?" she pleaded, clapping her palms together and lowering her head. "I... Never should have brought you here. This is terrible," she continued, her heart breaking as tears streamed from her eyes. "Now, you're cursed, too..." she whispered, as the realization sank in. "Oh, Ranma... It's not so bad. Now, we can just carry on our lives. When you're a girl, I'll be a boy, and everything will work out great," Akane-Kun encouraged, wiping his eyes. "And I don't blame you... I knew what would happen, but it's nothing compared to the thought of losing you. I'm just glad you're alive," he continued, opening his arms to the sobbing Chinese girl. Onna-Ranma didn't need any more urging. She lunged forward into Akane-Kun's arms, and the two of them burst out crying. The old Guide, meantime, turned and made a quiet, albeit somewhat hasty departure. Three days later, as they stepped off the plane at Nerima, they noticed the gathering of family awaiting them inside the Terminal Building. They looked at each other and sighed in unison. "Well, best get it over with," Akane stated, winking. "Yeah. Something tells me the fun is only starting," he replied, winking back and taking her hand. "As long as you mean the kind of fun we had back at the hotel, I don't mind at all," she responded, grinning mischievously and kissing his cheek. With that, they waved back at the rest of the family, and started down the boarding steps. =================================================================== End - Almost a Miracle Part 1 of 3, A Ranma 1/2 FanFic By Coutuva Comments Welcome, Flames Extinguished! coutuva@gmail.com Well, there you have it... My first ever attempt at a Fanfic. Apologies to Takahashi-chan, for whom I have the greatest regard!