Author's Note:

Hi, guys! The story I am currently writing is "What About Us?" It's my take on a "what-if" fanfic. It will consist of many pairings, but my main one will certainly be RanmaXAkane, though it may not seem like that in the beginning.

Anyway, although I am new to this, please feel free to leave comments and constructive criticism. Both are always helpful, though do not be mean or harsh. That type of criticism is not called for.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ranma ½ or any of its characters/content. The series entirely belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and I am simply a fan who enjoys writing about her fantastic manga.

Fanfiction by: Pattiie

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Ranma Saotome quietly boarded the crowded bus, taking the route from southern Nerima over to the north, where his small, three-roomed house was. It had been a long day, attending his final year of college.

Shampoo's gonna be mad… he thought, quietly. He was hours late. Shampoo was his wife, the flawless, headstrong, purple-haired Amazon. A few years ago, Ranma would have never guessed he'd end up with her, of all people. But, things had changed and now he was a fully grown 23 year old. Much older than the dinky 18 year old Ranma he used to be.

Ranma now was a shocking 6'3 inches tall and, of course, still continued his martial arts training. He'd gotten over most of his shyness towards girls… much thanks to Shampoo, and he was studying for a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

The pigtailed boy sat down on the nearest seat he could find. He ended up sitting next to a fairly large, sweaty old man… but his thoughts consumed him, not minding.

"Akane, honey…" a mother called out to her blonde-haired child. "Please don't jump around on the bus."

Akane… Ranma's heart thumped at the name.

As hard as he tried, however, there was one girl whom continued coming back into his thoughts. Over and over again, her face appeared… even though he was married. Akane Tendo was her name, and she was his former fiancée.

Ranma quickly shook his head, trying to erase her from his mind. All it did was bring back pain.

No girl… no girl upsets Ranma Saotome! His mind said, however, his heart had yet to agree…

After ten minutes, the bus came to a stop and Ranma got off quickly, hoping his wife wasn't angry. The last thing he needed was another fight with her. They'd been having quite a few of those lately.

Now, Shampoo was another one of his former fiancées. Actually… he'd had three. Three and two crazy suitors for both of his forms. And, what was even crazier was how he'd ended up engaged with all of them.

The way he'd ended up with Shampoo was through an Amazon Law. The law was she had to marry whoever bested her and battle, and that ended up being Ranma. However, in the beginning, Ranma had no intention in marrying the Amazon. He'd always thought he'd marry Akane, no matter what. But, things changed and here he was… married to Shampoo.

What happened was two years after Akane left him, the Amazons had tracked Shampoo down and told her that they would kill her if she didn't marry the man whom she was supposed to marry. When Shampoo had come to Ranma, crying, the boy didn't know what to do and decided to take responsibility and marry her. Though, now he'd grown to love her… at least he thought he did…

The door swung open to their small house. Ranma glanced at the purple-haired woman clad in a short night gown, her hands on her hips. Shampoo's eyes were narrowed at the boy, and she pursed her lips angrily.

"Where have you been, Ranma?" she asked. Her speech had improved greatly since their younger years.

"School," he said, and pushed past her, into the house.

"But I know that you're class ends at 8:00 and right now it is 11:00!"

"Shampoo, you're overreacting… I just had a late test to write, that's all."

Her gaze softened as she glanced at her husband, collapsed on their leather sofa. "Okay, fine. But don't be late again." She replied, softly and walked over, sitting next to him, her long legs slightly brushing his.

"I was waiting for you, that's all." She smiled, grabbing a wine bottle off the table. "I was hoping we could have a nice dinner together. You know, it's been so long since we've had some alone time."

He smiled and put his hand on hers. "Yeah, I know, it has." He was glad he was off the hook. His wife was usually known to hold grudges.

Shampoo squeaked, giggling. She poured two wine glasses and looked at him with passion-filled eyes.

Ranma sipped his red wine, staining his lips. He watched as Shampoo wrapped her arms around him, offering an embrace. He hugged her back, firmly, feeling her smile against his chest.

"Ranma…" she said, happily, wrapping her legs around his hips, hoisting herself onto his lap.

"Mmmm?" he said, his eyes closed, hands on her waist.

"I was thinking…"

"Yes?"

"We should have a baby."

Ranma's eyes shot open. "What?" he asked, shocked.

Shampoo kissed his neck, opening the first button on the collar of his Chinese shirt. "Yes, we should have a child. It's been a few years since our marriage, why not?"

Ranma blinked, unable to reply.

"So," she said, seductively. "What do you think?"

"I… I don't know. I guess that's a good idea." He replied.

Shampoo grinned widely, kissing him fully on the lips. "I'm so glad! I can't wait to tell the Amazon tribe that there will be an heir soon!"

Ranma forced a smile, completely confused on why Akane's face had popped into his mind just then.

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Ranma awoke to the sound of the birds chirping outside. It was May 3rd. The day he would see his former fiancée Akane after all this time. It was all because of the dojo.

You see, the Anything Goes Martial Arts School was to be inherited to both Ranma and Akane after they were supposed to get married. However, they hadn't gotten married and now it had to be split somehow or shared.

A few days earlier, he'd received a phone call from Soun Tendo, telling him to meet him and Akane at the dojo on Thursday, 6:00 PM sharp. Today was the day, the day he'd finally clear everything up and… see Akane after about five years.

Shampoo wasn't too happy with the idea. "Akane? Akane Tendo?" she said. "You're going to see her?" he saw the possessive gleam in her eye.

"It's just a business matter, Shampoo…" he said, firmly. "I swear."

"Whatever," she said, and walked away, returning to her soap opera.

It didn't go too well, but he knew it wasn't that big of a deal. He had moved on, and Akane probably had, too.

Ranma dressed in a black Chinese shirt, similar to the ones he'd always use to wear. He washed his face and brushed his teeth, getting ready to leave.

He slipped on his shoes and gave his wife a final kiss on the cheek, her sourness sweetened and she moved her face, kissing him softly.

Ranma's new house was quite close to the house he used to live at. However, he'd never stepped foot into the Tendo house or returned to that area in years. He wasn't welcome.

He winced as he remembered the whole story, what had caused all the pain… all the trouble…

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It was raining heavily outside, one day at the Tendo household. Everyone remained inside for shelter and Soun and Genma were playing their usual game of shogi.

Suddenly, a black blur darted through the backyard. It caught Akane's attention quickly.

"Ranma?" she said, turning to face her fiancé. "Is that P-chan I just saw?"

Ranma was lying down, trying to drift to sleep. He opened one eye. "Ah, 'Kane… who cares, just leav'm." The pigtailed boy knew the pig's real secret and for that, he could care less about what happened to "P-Chan".

Akane jumped up from her seat, running to the door. "But it's raining outside! The poor baby!" she shouted, slipping on her shoes and running out the door, umbrella in hand.

"Oh, 'Kane!" Ranma shouted, running after her.

"P-Chan!" Akane called outdoors. "P-Chan!"

The black pig stopped in his trail, turning to see the girl who had called out his name. Before he could run once again, Akane caught him in her arms.

"Oh, my poor baby! You're all wet!" she cooed. The girl cradled the pig in her arms, not noticing Ranma's glare from behind her.

Stupid Ryoga… his mind hissed.

"How about you and I take a nice, warm bath?" she giggled to the pig.

P-Chan's eyes widened, looking over to Ranma, his eyes pleading. He needed help, or she would find out his true form!

Akane walked past Ranma, heading to the bathroom. The boy ran after her.

"Akane, wait!" he called, though she kept walking.

"What, Ranma? Don't tell me you're planning to peep on me!"

"No, dummy! J-Just… don't take P-Chan with you!"

She rolled her eyes, stopping in the middle of the hallway. "Why not?" her eyes narrowed into slits.

"B-Be… because…"

Akane sighed, turned, and continued walking. "I don't have time for this, Ranma." She said, in an annoyed tone.

Ryoga squealed in Akane's arms.

Ranma ran forward, grabbing Akane's shoulder. "Akane, stop!" he called.

She turned to face him, now both of them were standing in the bathroom. "WHAT, Ranma? Why are you following me?"

Ranma bit his lip. "Akane, you can't take P-Chan in there with you."

"And why can't I?" she said, raising an eyebrow. Her smile widened. "Are you jealous?"

"No!" he said, quickly. "Uh…no," he repeated. "Akane… I can't explain it… I mean…"

Akane sighed and turned away from him, turning on the water. "Just leave, Ranma. It's none of your business what I want to do with my pet!"

And, before Ranma could stop her, she doused P-Chan in hot water.

Jaws dropped as a naked Ryoga remained where Akane thought P-Chan was supposed to be.

"Ryoga," Ranma whispered, dropping his hands.

"A-Akane…" Ryoga said, softly, lowering his body into the bathtub, in shame.

Akane remained speechless, a blank stare in her eyes.

Ranma rushed toward the girl, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Akane… this… this is what I was trying to tell you. Ryoga… he's… he's P-Chan.

"Wh… what?" Akane whispered, her eyes fixed on the tile floor.

"Akane, look, I'm sor-!" Ryoga said, loudly.

Heat burned in Akane's veins. She pushed Ranma's hand away from her shoulder, tears flooding her eyes.

"You're sorry?" she said, shakily to Ryoga. "You're sorry that you LIED to me? That you pretended to be my pet? Looked at my body… listened to my secrets… oh… oh GOD!" she cried, the tears she tried to suppress spilling down her cheeks.

"Akane…" Ranma said, quietly, walking over to her. She pushed him away.

"You," she hissed. "You knew, didn't you?!"

Ranma winced, looking down.

"YOU KNEW AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!" she cried, in disbelief.

"Akane, look… my honor-" he began.

"This has always been about your honor!" she screamed. "I HATE you! And to think that I actually… that I actually…"

"Akane," Ryoga tried, his own tears welling up.

"Don't you dare speak!" she shouted. "I can't believe this! I… I thought you were my friend, Ryoga?"

"Akane… but… I was your friend… I had strong feelings for you and-"

"Feelings? Friends? You know nothing about these things!" she pointed a shaky finger at the bandana boy and, after staring at him for a few seconds, she tore her gaze away and ran down the hall, heartbroken.

"Akane!" Ranma called after her, dashing down the hall. "Wait a second!"

"NO!" she screamed, grabbing a suitcase. "I… I can't take this anymore."

"W-what are you saying, Akane…?" he asked, in disbelief.

"Get out!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Get out of my room!" the girl, her rage blinding, threw a picture frame at the boy, shattering it instantly.

Akane, after throwing random clothing articles into the brown bag, rushed past him, slamming the door to her room. However, Ranma still heard the few words she mumbled darkly as she walked past him.

"The engagement is over."

And, before he could chase after her, he heard the door slam and a weeping Soun in the background.

It… it was over.

Ranma, blankly, stared at the broken frame at his feet. The picture was him and Akane, the day of the failed wedding.

Although there was the noise of chaos, all he could really hear were those piercing words, over and over again.

"The engagement is over…"

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Of course, he searched for her for days. Even though Soun had kicked him and Genma out, he still did. He continued, looking all over Nerima, wanting to explain what had happened. However, he never found her. Two years then went by, and he continued waiting for her. Then the Shampoo situation happened, and he'd realized that it was too late. She was gone.

Ranma shook his head, angry that he'd allowed his emotions to consume him. He continued walking down the street, slowly.

After a few moments, in the distance, he saw the Tendo house. Pain stabbed into his chest, the memories of the past returning to him. To his right, was the path… the same path he and Akane would take every morning to school.

I'm going ahead now, Ranma, I'll wait for you…

The pigtailed boy continued walking, when he finally approached the house. He knocked softly twice before he heard footsteps approaching from inside.

Then, a fully grown Kasumi answered the door.

"Ranma?" she said, shocked. "Is that really you?"

"Hey, Kasumi." He replied, hesitantly. "It's good to see ya."

Kasumi smiled softly. "You too, Ranma. Come in, come in. Father's been waiting for you."

Ranma walked in, noticing how much the house still looked the same. They still had the same table, the one where the family ate dinner all together. The same television set, the same area where the teens would relax, on the floor next to the large sliding screen door.

"Ranma Saotome." Mr. Tendo said, walking into the room. He had grown, his hair had begun to have a few grey strands and his face had many wrinkles. He looked old and tired. "Come in, boy."

The boy walked in, taking a seat on the ground, next to the table. Kasumi placed a cup of tea in front of him and he sipped, remembering how sweet and delicious she'd always made her tea. As good a cook as Shampoo was, she was no match for Kasumi.

"Akane hasn't arrived yet, but she should be coming soon." Soun mumbled, not quite looking at the boy. He was still angry, after all these years.

Suddenly, a little, light-brown haired girl ran up to Ranma, and tugged wildly at his pigtail. "Yook mummy, yook!" she called out. "He's got a piggy tail!"

Kasumi ran after the girl, picking her up in her arms. "Honey, that was very rude. Don't do that again." She turned to Ranma. "I apologize for my daughter's behavior, Ranma."

Ranma's jaw dropped. Kasumi had a child? He had no idea that any of this had happened!

"Ranma?" said a voice from the kitchen. The voice came closer and closer until Ranma saw whom it finally was. "Ranma Saotome?" said Tofu Ono.

"Yes, dear. He's come because of the business with the dojo."

"Oh, hello there." He smiled. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" he said, extending a hand to the boy.

"It has," Ranma replied, smiling. His heart swelled at the sight. He was glad that Tofu had gotten married to Kasumi. He was crazy about her in the past and, judging from the way he was looking at her, he still was. It was funny how things had changed so greatly.

Suddenly, a figure entered the room.

"Hello, dad?" she said, her chocolate eyes piercing Ranma's.

It was Akane.

Ranma stared at her. She was clad in a white skirt and a blue tank top. Her hair remained short, like it had always been. The only thing different about her was she'd grown a few inches taller.

"Akane!" Mr. Tendo called, rushing to hug his daughter. Akane laughed, wrapping her arms around her father.

Ranma silently smiled at the scene… until he noticed something.

Akane had a ring around her finger.

He became angry at himself. Why was he so upset? He had moved on, of course she had, too.

After her father was done embracing her, she caught Ranma's eye. He expected her to lash out at him, but instead she smiled softly.

"Hi, Ranma." She said. Still, he saw the sadness in her eyes.

"Akane," he said, clearing his throat.

Akane walked forward, sitting on the floor, next to the table. However, she sat as far away from Ranma as possible. Ranma felt the emptiness in the seat next to him. The one that she usually occupied.

But that was all in the past now.

"Well," Mr. Tendo began. "About the dojo... It was supposed to go to the two of you, once you got married. Though, we know that is not going to happen now."

Soun turned to face Ranma. "Have you wed, boy?"

Ranma coughed. "Uh, yeah. I have."

"Alright. Well, we will have to divide the dojo into two. You see, I am becoming old and anytime I might-"

"Dad!" Akane shouted. "You're too young to even think about death!"

"Yes, but it's a possibility, dear." He smiled at her. "Akane, have you considered teaching classes at the dojo?"

"Yes," she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her wedding band gleaming in the light. "I have been teaching lessons at another dojo, near where I live, but I'd rather teach at our dojo."

"And you, Ranma?" Soun said.

"Yeah, well I've been teaching, too."

"Okay," Soun replied. "Well, the dojo is fairly large so I've been thinking if we could divide it? Or, both of you could get certain days where the dojo belongs to you?"

"That's fine with me." Akane said. "We could divide it… like one side for each person?"

"Sure," Mr. Tendo said. "Is that all right with you, boy?"

"Anything's fine with me. That sounds great."

"Alright then. It's settled. I have a few students already lined up, so would the two of you like to start teaching Sunday?"

Akane thought for a moment. "Sunday… okay. That's fine."

Ranma nodded, standing up. "Me, too. Sunday's great."

Ranma turned to face Akane, wanting to say a few words, but she was already gone.

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A/N: Phew! Well, I'm in the mood for a little AU, though I hope it still was a little believable and not too too OOC. Hope you enjoyed it!