Beyond Forms 1

By Kiwi Noriega

The rain poured over the city of Nerima as clouds started to clear up from the sky. A crowd of onlookers stared as a girl; a boy and a panda started fighting in the streets.

"How am I supposed to go home like this?!!" shouted the angry boy at the panda. He was tall with broad shoulders; a cord near the end tied his long blonde hair. His blue sleeveless Chinese outfit was soaked and he had a glowing hammer starting to appear near his hands.

The girl approached the glowing boy and said, "C'mon, maybe we should just go there and see how it is first...I'm really in need of a hot bath." The girl, who was wearing a long sleeved red Chinese shirt and black pants, looked at the boy with a bored look. She squeezed the water out from her red hair and grimaced as the rain picked up again.

The boy considered her words and answered; "Okay, but I'm going back for a cure when this is all over..." the girl nodded.

"Yeah same here..." she grinned and motioned her friend to walk. The boy proceeded to walk in the rain with the girl and panda.

The huge panda produced a sign out of nowhere that said, --Oh I'm so proud of you two boys! -The panda grinned all the while, not seeing the blue aura gathering around a certain wet boy.

"I AM NOT A BOY!!!!" he shouted, earning the confused looks of the people around him. He blushed and continued, in a low voice, "I am not a boy, you big old panda!"
The panda grinned and put out a sign --Okay, son!!-

"Aaaaarggghhhh!!!"

A fight resumed and the pig tailed girl once again sighed as she joined the battle.

* * * * * * * *

The sun shone through the rain clouds over the whole Tendo household. It was springtime and the breeze blew through the yard, picking up some leaves as it quietly rolled past. Soun Tendo was sitting in the middle of the dining room, facing his two daughters, Kasumi and Nabiki.

"Kasumi, Nabiki, I have good news for the both of you..." Soun started as he cheerfully read the postcard from his dear old friend. 'Bringing Ranma and Akane home from China. - Genma'

"What is it now, daddy?" Nabiki asked as she tapped some numbers in on her calculator.

"Yes father, what's the good news?" Kasumi smiled as she laid some tea cups on the table.

Soun grinned and said, "Your sister is finally coming home!!"

Nabiki stared at her father. "Our sister..." she said breathlessly. Her little sister had been taken away from home at an early age for training when her father had made a pact with his friend that they would train their sons together. They were all expecting a boy, but when Akane was born, they still continued on with the arrangement. Nabiki smiled inwardly whenever she thought of having her little sister back again. She vaguely remembered looking down at Akane's crib when she first got home from the hospital. Nabiki had smiled at the baby and stood on her tiptoes to touch her sister's little fingers. The baby gurgled and smiled up at her. She knew from that point on that she loved her sister, though she had been very young then to understand what love is.

"Oh my..." Kasumi breathed as she smiled, "Our little sister is finally coming home! Oh I have so much to prepare and so much to do!" with that, Kasumi politely excused herself and set about on what to do when their guests arrived.

Nabiki stood up and gathered all her books before her father could start to cry rivers. *A little sister...* Nabiki noticed that she never even thought of money once when she heard the good news. To Nabiki, family weighed more than any amount of money she could earn...although it didn't mean she couldn't get a little profit out of this to pay for the house bills when the guests come. Before she even took another step, Nabiki heard some loud voices from outside. *They're here already? *

A wet blonde boy, pig-tailed girl and panda froze as Mr. Tendo, Nabiki and Kasumi looked at them with confused faces. They were in a big tangle. The boy had his foot directly in front of the panda's midsection, while the girl had her fist aimed at the panda's head. The panda had two signs ready to hit both the girl and the boy and broke into a sweat when he noticed the Tendo's looking at them. They all dropped their offensives and grinned sheepishly at the others.

The boy and the girl approached, but before they could say a word, Soun, without even looking at their faces, wrapped his arms around the pig-tailed girl and cried.

"My baby's back!!! Oh Akane! We've missed you so much!!" Soun continued to cry as the two Tendo sisters looked at their father askance. Soun finally looked up and looked at the girl's face and said, "Since when did you dye your hair, Akane?"

The red-haired girl roughly pushed Soun off when she couldn't pry him away gently, "Um, sorry to break this to you," they all looked at her and continued, "I'm not Akane, my name's Ranma, sorry 'bout this."

Mr. Tendo, Kasumi and Nabiki stared in shock at Ranma's words, then she added, "He's Akane..." she pointed at the young man clad in black.

All their gazes slowly turned on the blonde boy. Soun fainted dead away while Kasumi started attending to her downed father. Nabiki approached the young man and said, when she noticed his hesitant face, "Don't worry, he'll get over it..." Nabiki said, yet she had a nagging feeling about it, "Maybe you and Ranma here can stay in the dojo for a while to spar or something, I heard you were martial artists. Me and Kasumi will try to fix things up and we'll call you when daddy wakes up...and uh, could you take your pet panda with you?" Nabiki gestured to the panda rolling on the grass. *Since when did we have blonde hair in the family? Oh well...* Nabiki thought as she thought of ways to pay for the bills, considering they had three more guests.

Akane smiled though it looked more like a sigh. *Better tell them later when my dad's awake...Hmmm, I got sisters and they think I'm their brother, I wonder what's gonna happen now...* "Um do you know where we can get some hot water?" he asked.

Kasumi looked up from tending her unconscious father and answered, "There's some boiling in the kitchen, make yourselves at home."

Ranma and Akane smiled and gave their thanks to the Tendo sisters.

The two newcomers proceeded to the kitchen, dragging the panda along with them as the sun finally came out from underneath the clouds.

* * * * * * * *

(In the kitchen...)

Ranma sighed as she poured the hot water over her and Akane. Her form changed and she grew taller and broader while Akane became smaller and shapelier.

Akane stretched her aching muscles and said, "It's feels good to be back in my normal form..."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Ranma added. He blushed as he looked at Akane, *She's so beautiful...* he thought, then stopped, *She's my best friend! My best friend! * He kept screaming in his head. Ranma didn't understand why for the past year, his feelings have changed for Akane. He used to think of her as his best friend, the only person who could understand him, and the person who will never let him down. Those feelings are still the same, yet Ranma didn't think of Akane as only his best friend, he didn't understand, but he knew he felt something much deeper than friendship. They used to be all chummy to each other when they were young, but now, the slightest brushing of Akane's hand on his skin, left him lightheaded.

"Water too hot, Ranma? You're so red all of a sudden." Akane said, innocence marking her eyes. *Did he just blush, or was it really the water? * Akane thought; though she herself couldn't hide the blush that was creeping up her face as Ranma shook excess water from his hair.

"He, he, he..." Ranma answered, grinning. He poured the hot water over the unconscious panda and watched as it changed forms.

"Ow! That's hot!" Genma shouted, "Oh, Ranma m'boy, Akane, you'd better tell them about the curse." Genma said as he shook off the remaining water on his gi.

Akane glowed and her hammer was visible in an instant, "What do you mean, we tell them? It was your fault this happened anyway!"

"You'd better help us explain pop," Ranma said as he cracked his knuckles.

Genma shied away and said in a hurried tone, "Okay, okay! Now let's go to the dojo and wait."

* * * * * * * * *

(In the dining room...)

Soun sat up and yawned, "Kasumi dear, I had the strangest dream, Akane turned out to be a boy and they had a huge panda with them and--" Soun was cut off when Kasumi motioned him to settle down.

"Father, it wasn't a dream, they--" Kasumi couldn't continue for her father had started crying.

"Waaahhhhh!!! My baby girl's a boy!!! Waahhhh!!" Soun wailed, all the while flooding the room with tears.

"There, there, father, I'm sure they'll explain it to us when they get settled down..." Kasumi continued, patting her crying father on the back.

* * * * * * * *

(In the dojo...)

Ranma dodged, gritting his teeth as he countered Akane's punch with a kick. Akane blocked and held Ranma's foot, sending him flying towards the wall. Ranma twisted in mid-air and used the wall to jump at Akane with extra speed, his fist extended. Akane dodged the move and broke off Ranma's hold.

They grinned as they warily looked at each other. Ranma and Akane were sweating, and so far, no one won yet. Ranma had the advantage of reach yet Akane was really faster than he was in her original form. But when they face off both in male forms, Ranma was still faster than Akane but vice versa when in female form.

Ranma wiped sweat off his brow and smiled at Akane; "Getting soft Akane?" he taunted, raising his defenses.

Akane glared at Ranma and her hammer appeared out of nowhere and shone a bright blue...

"Ooohh, you're getting it now, Ranma..."

Ranma grinned and awaited Akane's lightning fast slashes. Akane could be very skilled using that huge mallet of hers, especially when it's turning a bright blue. Ranma watched as the hammer turned to a shade of pink and said, "Uh, oh..." he braced himself as the ki blast from Akane's hammer sped towards him. He only had time to cover his face in a block before the mass of energy put him through the dojo wall and outside to the lawn. Ranma blinked and shook off the many stars he saw dancing in his vision. He looked up to see Akane at the mouth of the hole, smiling down at him.

"I guess I won this match, Ranma!" Akane said, all the while grinning.

"Yeah, well wait till next time, and no ki blasts!" Ranma answered, standing up.

They stopped as they saw a familiar person look at them with surprise.

"Wait, Nabiki, I-we can explain!" Akane tried but to no avail when Soun stepped out of the house into the sun deck.

"And what is the meaning of this? Who are you people?!" Soun said, confronting the two teenagers, his head growing to an abnormal size

Genma went out of the dojo as soon as he heard Soun speak, "Wait, Tendo-san! It's me Genma!"

Soun Tendo averted his gaze towards the bald man and grinned with delight, "Saotome!!!"

They clapped hands and started to dance, but Ranma coughed and looked at Genma with a stony glare.

Mr. Saotome stopped his happy jig and faced Mr. Tendo, "Tendo, I have to tell you something very important."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Um, let's see, that girl over there, is your daughter, Akane--" Genma couldn't get anything else out for Soun had already hugged the girl in his arms.

"Oh joy!! My baby's back!! My baby daughter's back!! I knew it was just a dream!!" Soun wailed, hugging his daughter.

Akane didn't know what to do and returned the hug hesitantly.

"Um, but that's just the start of it..." Genma added, not wanting to continue.

Soun turned his gaze slowly towards Genma and said, "And what's the end?"

Genma inched away and said, "Well, okay, let me demonstrate." Without warning, Genma grabbed Ranma and threw him into the koi pond.

A girl with red hair emerged and shouted, "Whatcha do that for ya old man!!" Ranma got a bucket out of nowhere and sent the water splashing towards Genma

Genma dodged and put out his tongue at Ranma, "Biiiiii!!!!!"

Unfortunately, the water hit Akane directly and everyone watched in both awe and surprise as Akane slowly changed forms.

A boy with blonde hair stared at Ranma with his fists extended and advanced on her with so much speed, she seemed like she never moved. When Akane was inches away, he heard a loud scream that made him stop all of a sudden; cutting his momentum and making him fall directly into the koi pond.

"WAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!! Genma!!! What have you done with my baby??!?!?!" Soun wailed as tears streamed down his face.

"Growf!!"

"Ranma!!!!"

"It wasn't me! I didn't do anything!!"

"I don't care!!"

The two started to fight and everyone just calmly watched as best as they could.

* * * * * * * * *

(In the dining room...)

"So cold water changes your forms, and hot water returns you to normal?" Nabiki said, looking at their three guests. They had changed back to their original form when Ranma threw Akane into the pond and Genma was dragged in after her.

"Well, yeah..." Ranma said, constantly looking at Akane. He had somehow managed to bruise her left arm and it left a small purple spot on her skin. He cursed himself for being stupid and felt his conscience writhing at his action. Akane didn't show any signs that she was hurt at all, Ranma knew she had taken worse from their many training travels, but he had always felt so bad whenever Akane got hurt. Sure, they always sparred, but they both knew they didn't go all out when fighting one on one.

"Well, what are we supposed to call you guys around other people?" Nabiki asked, all the while cash registers ringing in her mind.

"Um, I guess you could call me Kaneda in guy form, I've taken that name a lot of times already." Akane said, looking thoughtful for a moment, "You can call Ranma Ranko, he's always used that name..."

Ranma stood up and said, "I ain't using no girls name!"

"Sit down Ranma, if I can put up with it, so can you." Akane answered, pulling Ranma down to sit.

Ranma just muttered and said in a barely audible voice, "Tomboy..."

Akane heard and her anger rose, "What did you say?!!!"

"I said--" Ranma was cut off when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Soun put his hand on both Ranma's and Akane's shoulder and said, "You kids are perfect for each other! You look like a married couple already!"

"WHAT!!!????" they both answered.

Soun's head grew and he faced Genma; "You haven't told them yet?!?"

Suddenly, there was a panda rolling in the yard, with signs all around him saying -I'm just an innocent panda! -

Ranma splashed hot water on his father and said, "Spill it old man!"

Akane's shadow loomed behind Genma and she said, "Out with it!"

Soun was looming behind Ranma, his abnormally huge face directed at Genma.

"Uh, hehe, let's see, um...Ranma, you and Akane have been engaged ever since you started your first training trip."

Ranma and Akane stared at each other with eyes wide open.

"You mean, all this time..." Akane started, and couldn't find any words.

"Why didn't you tell us before..." Ranma said, more of a thought rather than a question. Ranma just stared, his mind was totally blank, and his thoughts were cut off when Nabiki spoke.

"Well, why worry Ranma? I mean, you two are perfect for each other. If you turn into a girl, Akane can change into a guy and you're still a couple!" Nabiki said, a bit of sarcasm tingeing her voice.

Ranma didn't seem to notice Nabiki's words and walked out, that blank expression still painted his face, leaving everyone staring at him. Akane looked at Ranma's retreating form and sighed as she started to follow him. A hand caught her shoulder and she was surprised to see Kasumi smiling softly down at her.

"I'll talk to him, sister..." Kasumi said, her eyes only showing compassion.

Akane just nodded and followed Nabiki up the stairs and into her new bedroom, her thoughts swirling.

* * * * * * * * *
(In the dojo...)

Ranma paced back and forth around the dojo, occasionally staring out at the doors. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. *All this time, and I didn't even know! Fianc�e? Akane's _my_ fianc�e! * His thoughts were stopped as he heard footsteps coming closer.

The dojo doors slid open and admitted Kasumi. She smiled as she entered and sat down on the floor, motioning Ranma to do the same.

"So how do you feel, Ranma?" Kasumi quietly asked.

Ranma looked helpless and answered, "I- I - I...don't know..."

Kasumi sighed and continued, "Well, how do you feel towards Akane?"

"She's my best friend...my only friend. I've been with her since I was old enough to raise my right arm." Ranma's face softened and he smiled fondly, "I know she'll always be there...I know that smile of hers will light up my whole day just at the sight of it..."

Kasumi smiled at Ranma, "Don't worry, things won't change between you and Akane, being fianc�es just makes your friendship deeper than it is now." *Or maybe your feelings are deeper than you think, Ranma. * Kasumi thought, then continued, "...think about that..." with that, she silently stood up and left, leaving Ranma alone with his thoughts.

Ranma stared off at the open door, silence surrounding him, "Akane..."

* * * * * * *

"Akane, Ranma, Nabiki! Time to eat your breakfast!" Kasumi called from downstairs.

Akane walked out of her room and stretched. She was all dressed up in her normal sleeveless blue shirt and black pants. She walked to the guestroom and when she opened the door, sure enough, Ranma was still sleeping, "Wake up you dummy, Kasumi's calling us already."

Ranma didn't even move, so Akane shouted, "Breakfast!!"

Ranma's eyes slowly opened and he turned sideways at Akane, "Kawaii..." he murmured, then suddenly realized he wasn't dreaming anymore.

Akane blushed furiously and said, "What?"

Ranma recovered and stood up, darting to the vase behind Akane, "This vase is cute, ne Akane?" Ranma said, a stupid grin painting his face.

Akane glanced at him askance, her face still a light pink and said, "Uh, yeah, you'd better get ready, Mr. Tendo-I mean dad said that he was going to tell us something. And, I wouldn't want to miss morning practice!"

Ranma cracked his knuckles and said, "I'll be right down, I'll just take a bath."

Akane nodded and headed downstairs.

Ranma let out a breath when the door closed behind Akane, his face all red, "How could I be so stupid! 'This vase looks cute, ne Akane?' Yeah right, like she would buy that...oh well, I guess I should go take a bath now, maybe she'll forget about it..."

* * * * * * * *

Akane dodged as water streamed above her head. She looked back and saw a smiling Ranma, "You jerk, you almost hit me!"

Ranma grinned and answered, "Why do you think I tried to splash you in the first place!" he put out his tongue.

"Argghhh!!! You'll pay for that!" Akane rushed at Ranma and slashed with her right fist.

Ranma blocked and jumped away, landing on one of the rocks near the pond. He assumed a fighting position and said, "I'll win this one, you'll see. No ki blasts, Akane."

Akane smiled back as she jumped on a rock opposite of Ranma across the pond, "Don't be too sure, remember who won last time?"

"You used ki blasts! That was unfair!" Ranma said, a pouting look on his face.

"Well, you didn't say anything about no ki blasts then, so it wasn't my fault! Biiii!!!!"

Ranma grit his teeth and smiled. He lunged forward, his foot extended, trying to kick Akane. Akane smiled before she dodged and slipped under Ranma, pulling his foot in the process. Ranma recovered and twisted in mid-air, barely avoiding a swim in the pond. He jumped up and so did Akane, they traded blows in mid-air, each one either blocked or dodged. They let go of each other as they came close to the pond, each jumping to the nearest rock.

"Ranma! Akane! Breakfast time!" Kasumi called from inside.

Ranma proceeded to walk inside, and then a tap on his arm made him turn around. Akane greeted him with a smile and said, "Fight's not over yet, Ranma!" with another grin, Akane tried to splash him with a bucket of cold water but was caught by surprise when Ranma splashed her first, making her turn into a guy.

Ranma grinned and said, "Guess who won this one?!"

"Ranma!!!" Kaneda yelled, making his huge hammer appear. He was about to mash him on the head, but Kasumi suddenly appeared beside him, smiling.

"So what're you two doing today?" Kasumi asked, all smiles.

Kaneda awkwardly patted Ranma on his head and said, "Oh, uh, hehe, nothing, Kasumi, we're just playing around..." he smiled as he made his hammer disappear and dragged Ranma into the house by his pigtail, walking along with Kasumi.

* * * * * * * * *

"What do you mean I'm going to school!!" Ranma said, a big pout on his face.

Genma-panda smiled at him and said, "Growf, growf, growf!"

Ranma sighed and said, "Don't even bother..."

"You'll be going to the same school Nabiki goes to." Soun said, handing two schoolbags to each Ranma and Akane.

"Hey, where's Nabiki?" Akane asked, looking around the house, "I think she left already..."

"Ahhh, don't worry, the school's easy to locate," he motioned the teenagers outside and pointed down the street, "Just follow the road, you won't get lost. Now hurry or you'll be late for your first day!"

Akane looked at the watch and said, "Mr. Ten -- dad's right, we're gonna be late, c'mon Ranma."

Ranma suddenly jumped on the fence as they slowed down to a brisk walk.

"What are you doing up there?" Akane asked, looking up at him.

"Nothing." Ranma answered.,bR>

Akane ignored Ranma's answer and continued walking. Their walk to the school was silent. For once, no taunts were being thrown back and forth. Ranma finally jumped down the fence when they saw the school.

When they were near the school gates, Ranma and Akane could feel all the eyes that were intent on them. She noted the numerous girls staring at Ranma and for no reason she could explain, she felt heat rise over her head.

"Why are they staring at us?" Akane asked, looking around cautiously.

"Guess it's their first time seeing a macho chick in the school," Akane glared at him and he quickly added, "it was a joke! I don't know, it's probably 'coz we're new students." Ranma couldn't help but notice the leering looks most of the guys directed at Akane. He stepped closer to her and glared at every guy that was he saw staring. *Why am I being so protective all of a sudden? * Ranma thought.

Akane just nodded and was about to say something when thunder cracked and a guy in a kendo outfit strode to them and smiled at Akane.

"Such beauty is almost never seen, a face such as yours makes a rose wilt in comparison..." The kendoist stopped and struck a pose as lightning silhouetted his figure, "I am the rising thunder of Furinken High," thunder once again cracked, "Tatewaki Kunou, age, 17."

- end chapter 1

Author's notes:

Hi, hope you enjoyed it. C&C's are welcome!!

Thanks!!

-Kiwi :C)

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