Chapter Text
Ranma
He looked at the man staring back at him in the mirror. The years had been kind to Ranma Saotome as he approached his thirty-fifth birthday. He still had the muscular but lean build of his youth to go along with a few additional inches in height. Oddly enough his female form had matured as well but still remained the same height. That's right even after all these years there was no cure for his curse. It took many years and some therapy to make peace with that other side of him. He adjusted his tie and frowned just a bit when he saw the few strands of gray hair that colored his sideburns.
Satisfied that he looked presentable he exited the bathroom just as a small form crashed into him. He looked down at his youngest daughter and she looked up with a grin that showed her two front teeth missing. “Nodoka.” He sighed as he picked the black haired girl up and kissed her cheek. “What have I told you about running in the house?”
“No running in the house but pop…” Nodoka started to answer before stopping.
Ranma turned to see his best friend, mother of his children and ex wife standing there with a smirk. “Morning Akane, thanks again for taking on my students while I go on this trip.”
“Nodoka, go join your brother and sister in getting ready for your lessons.” Akane told her daughter as she watched Ranma set her down. She waited until their youngest ran down the hall before turning back to Ranma with a slight frown. “I have a bad feeling about this Ranma.”
“Worried about me?” He laughed as they walked toward the kitchen. “Relax, it's just a week in Okinawa to meet with others to discuss manipulation of ki to heal injuries.”
“Look…” Akane started before steeling her brown eyes and staring right into his eyes. “It's been five years since we divorced. I know we never could get past the hurt that we inflicted on each other. We were young and stubborn.”
“Hey, now I wasn't stubborn but you on the other hand though.” He said with a smirk that she matched. “I get what you're getting at but we are in a great place with each other. We never had a chance to be friends when this was thrown on us. I hurt you alot Akane and I can never forgive myself. Don't interrupt please!” He said as he saw her start before stopping. “Losing your mother, your father deep in his grief then all those boy problems. You have come a long way and I think I have as well. You are an amazing momma to those three demons.”
“Thank you, Ranma.” She whispered. “If only in another life but who would have thought all those years ago that we would marry, divorce and end up as best friends. We did it out of order.”
“We did but I'm glad you found him.” Ranma replied as he pulled out the orange juice and poured them both a glass.
“It's still weird for him to come around.”
“I mean it is a bit odd but we still live together Akane and he was one of my good friends in high school.” Ranma chuckled. “Or is it our parents? I know that our pops have given him a hard time.”
“I think it's the fact that we live together but perhaps it's not a good idea if I dated.” Akane told her after taking a drink of the orange juice.
“Nonsense, you deserve to find some happiness and another chance at love. It might take some time but I have faith that a tomboy as cute as you can find love again.”
“Jerk!” She snickered as the sound of footsteps interrupted them.
“Ranma.” His mother greeted him before giving Akane a smile and a pat on the back. “Akane, the students are all lined up and if you don't hurry your father and my husband will start spouting off about lessons learned under their master.”
“Be safe, Ranma, and let me know when you land in Okinawa.” Akane told him before kissing his cheek before leaving him alone with his mother.
“Have you thought about trying again?” His mother asked him.
“Too much has been said and done all those years ago. If only we had been allowed to choose for ourselves and be friends but that is in the past. I hope you can respect that.”
“I do respect it even if I can not understand it. I should have been there.” His mother told him as tears swelled in her eyes.
“You are here now and have been for a long time. Will you help Akane while I am gone?” He asked though he knew she would do it even if he hadn't asked.
“Of course but go see your children before your taxi gets here.” His mother chided lightly as he followed her on the quick walk to the dojo.
He looked at the sky and was thankful for clear skies and the family he had. The sounds of children breaking boards and running through katas carried out of the dojo and into his ears. A familiar sound that brought him comfort as he slid open the door to see Kenji, his eldest at ten, helping six year old Nodoka correct her form. They both looked up and he gave them a thumbs up and they blew kisses to him. Like always he caught them and put them in his pocket before returning the favor. The yelling and cracking sound caused him to smile as he turned to see his middle child and eldest daughter. At eight years old, Kasumi was the one who took after Akane not only in looks but temperament. Fiery, passionate and kind described Kasumi and he wished her namesake was still alive to have met her.
It took a few minutes but Kasumi looked up and grinned at him and waved before sticking her tongue out at him. He smiled and waved back before kissing his mother on the cheek and leaving the dojo. Why did she have to run back into that building? He knew the answer because that's who Kasumi was as a person.
The next few hours went by as Ranma listened to his new, to him, walkman as the Boeing 757 departed Narita International Airport. He hated flying in an airplane but trains and swimming would take too long. He considered flying himself as he had mastered years ago the art of manipulating his ki to allow him to fly. It helped him immensely when Prince Herb came back and challenged him to a friendly rematch. In fact Prince Herb came back a few times and each time Ranma had to rise to meet the challenge. Those clashes were some of the best times of his life as they laid into each other. Ranma always came out worse for wear but officially they always called their bouts draws.
About two hours after take off a loud explosion shook him from his thoughts. He could see smoke and fire outside the window as the plane violently started to roll over. This can't be how I die. I have to do something. He looked around as he saw passengers and luggage started to fly all over the place. Kenji! Kasumi! Nodoka! Akane! He struggled to check outside the window but he was fairly certain the engine and part of the wing were gone as he started to float out of his seat. Floating! That's it!
Ranma focused every ounce of ki he could muster as he struggled to slow the plane's rapid descent. Please! He begged as he burned through his ki at a rapid pace as he could slowly feel the plane start to slow down. Almost there I can feel it. Just a bit more. His vision began to narrow as he could hear the captain telling everyone to prepare for impact. Almost there but I don't have anything left. If only Akane's mother had lived. Why am I thinking of that?
“I can not answer that for you but you saved a lot of lives Ranma Saotome.” A masculine but soft voice called from behind him. He spun to find nothing there.
“Who are you and where am I?” Ranma asked.
“ Dead. That stunt you pulled drained every bit of ki you had. I am offering you a gift.” The voice whispered.
“What kind of gift?”
“To live in a world where Kanna Tendo lives.”
“What's the catch? Am I gonna born a girl? My mother dies instead?”
“ No catch though given those years between 16 and 23 I can not blame you for not being fully trusting. Everyone you met will still be alive. Most will have the same personalities but there will be some changes to the Tendo family.”
“What will change about me? Will I be cursed?”
“Unfortunately you will be cursed and have the same body the day you got engaged to Akane Tendo. However while your body is slower and weaker than your body at your death…come on at least go along with this. I'm trying to be dramatic.”
“ Tsh, just get on with it.”
“ Your ki reserves and abilities will remain. Those thousands of punches a minute will need to be relearned but overall it will be you with memories and abilities in your 16 year old body.”
“ I accept and I am ready whenever you are. Is it sad that while this whole thing is crazy that I am not surprised this is possible?”
“Just step through the light. Hurry up because I have to go send Jon Snow back to the realm of the living as well.”
“Jon Snow?” Ranma asked before he was yanked into the light.