Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Publishing. I am not profiting financially in any way with this story. It is written simply for the reading pleasure of Ranma fans everywhere.

Acknowledgments: A thank you must go out to King Bob III and P-chan for turning me onto the Ranma manga. I've read the entire series from beginning to end at least 3 times, and it is some of the funniest stuff I've read anywhere. My thanks to my beta-reader, Kim, who not only does an excellent job, but a fast one too.

Description: This story takes place after the end of the manga series. Akane and Ranma are each 17 years old and will be beginning their 2nd year of high school soon. Akane still has difficulty admitting her true feelings and Ranma is as big a jerk as ever, but when Ranma vanishes and turns up as a girl on a small tropical island with no memory of who he or she really is; both Akane and Ranma must learn new things about themselves. This story features most of the main characters we've all come to love and a handful of original characters.

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Goodbye Forever Ranma … Hello

Chapter 1: Separation makes the heart grow fonder

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Soun Tendo got up on the platform at the end of the dojo where the band was playing and accepted the microphone from the band leader. "A toast!" Soun raised his glass high and the assembly of guests followed suit. He waited a moment for everyone to quiet down. "To my lovely daughter and her new husband. May Kami-sama shower them with blessings and fill their lives together with joy and happiness, forever."

"Hai!" Rang out in the Tendo dojo, followed by shouts of, "Kiss, Kiss…"

The young couple blushed but relented to the cheers of the crowd, which triggered a roar of approval.

Genma Saotome re-filled his friend Soun's glass then filled his own. A city councilman and long time friend of Soun Tendo walked up to the two men. "You must be so proud Tendo-kun. She's a lovely girl and he is so accomplished. Your dojo's legacy is now secured."

Soun sighed. "Sadly, no. He intends to continue on in his practice."

"So your daughter will be moving out?"

"Mmm, they are both young still. They need their privacy." Soun took a drink of his sake.

"But who will take care of the house now that she is leaving?"

"Well, I do have two other daughters and Nodoka Saotome-san is living with us now, so..."

Genma drained his glass, filled it with the bottle he was carrying, and drained it again. "Now, if only we could get the other young couple together."

"Hmm." Soun nodded. "Then the dojo would be secured."

"Congratulations again, Kasumi-chan. You make a beautiful bride and I'm sure you'll make a wonderful wife and mother. Tofu-sensei is a lucky man." Kasumi's friend, Yuki leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you, Yuki-chan. It is so kind of you to say, but I truly feel like I'm the lucky one." Kasumi glanced over her shoulder and smiled seeing her groom carrying on an animated conversation with his mother and brothers.

Smiling, Yuki turned to her friend's sister, "So, Akane-chan, when are you and Ranma-san going to tie the knot? Soon, I hope." Both Yuki and Kasumi giggled.

Akane was ready for this. She knew with Kasumi getting married, inevitably someone was bound to bring up her relationship with Ranma. "Yuki-san, you're so terrible. This is Kasumi-oneechan's day. Let's leave me out of this, at least this once." Then she turned to her sister. "Congratulations Onee-chan." She leaned in and kissed her sister on the cheek. "I'm so happy for you."

Before Akane could back away, Kasumi wrapped her arms around her little sister and hugged her tight. "I owe this all to you, Akane. If you hadn't made me face the truth, this day never would have come. Thank you, thank you for making me so very happy."

They held each other close, Kasumi radiated with joy, while Akane was filled with happiness for her sister and just a tinge of envy. She would have been happy to stay like this all night long, but as she said; this was Kasumi's day and she needed to slip into the background. Separating from their hug, Akane tried desperately to think of something to say; something wise and profound, something her sister would remember for years to come; but her mind was a blank, nothing deep and meaningful, nothing thought provoking or inspiring came to her. All she could do was smile and in the end she settled on some meaningless clichés about marriage and living happily ever after. Kasumi was as gracious as ever and thanked her even while Akane was sure her own expression told her sister how much she wanted to kick herself for spewing out such meaningless drivel. "Well, I better make sure the trays are all full." She smiled and slipped away just as several of Kasumi's friends approached. Akane walked right pass the food trays and quietly made her way out of the dojo and into the garden.

The wedding ceremony had been held out here amongst the flowers, near the pond, providing a picturesque setting for the blessed event. It was a small, private ceremony attended by family and only a few close friends and officiated over by a Shinto priest from the nearby shrine. The reception, on the other hand, which was well underway in the dojo, was very well attended. All of Kasumi's friends from high school were there. Most of the local shop owners were also in attendance, all of whom loved Kasumi like a daughter and each gave numerous expensive gifts to the young couple. Of course, Tofu Ono's entire family was also in attendance. Ranma and his mother and father were present along with a number of city officials all of whom held Soun Tendo in high regard. Kasumi had offered to invite all of Ranma's "friends", but Akane, not wanting a repeat of the disaster that took place during her failed wedding, rejected the idea.

Now the garden was empty, save for the pads everyone had knelt upon. Akane picked a flower and strolled over to the pond. Plucking one peddle at a time, she tossed it into the water. After tossing in a sixth peddle she sighed. "What am I wishing for?" and she dropped the flower into the pond. Looking up at the stars, she drew in a deep breath and held it for a moment. "I'm happy for you, Onee-chan, truly I am." She sighed again. "Will I ever find a love like yours?" Images of Ranma flashed in her mind. "Right, like Ranma could ever be as sweet and kind as …" but before she could finish her thought, memories came to mind which silenced her. Memories of the time Ranma give her a bouquet of flowers and asked her on a date; memories of growing whiskers after eating super soba noodles and Ranma climbing to the top of the tall tree to give her the antidote; memories of their battle over the legendary warrior suit and how Ranma saved her from landing on the freshly painted park bench and held her in his arms for nearly an hour not once complaining about the wet paint soaking into his clothes; and memories of Jusendo and how Ranma poured out his heart to her when he thought she was dead. I suppose it's possible. Anything is possible, really. I guess it wouldn't hurt to give him half a chance, would it.

"So this is where you ran off to." Ranma stepped out into the garden.

"Mmm, just getting some fresh air." Akane dusted off some non-existent lint from her dress.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I never realized Kasumi-chan had so many friends." Ranma picked his teeth with a toothpick and spat out the bits of food he uncovered.

"Ugh! That's disgusting!" Akane turned to the side so as not to look at him.

Ranma took the sliver of wood from his mouth, and holding it between his fingers, he flung it towards the tall wooden fence. The toothpick pierced a hole in the fence and lodged itself halfway through the neighbor's fence across the street. "That was really nice of you."

"Huh?" Akane turned.

"Telling your sister about Tofu-sensei and all. That was really nice of you."

Akane looked down at the floor before replying. "I'm sure he would have told her sooner or later. They're just so perfect together. I couldn't bear seeing them apart any longer." She paused, and remembered back on that day.

Tofu Ono was near tears the last time Akane had stopped by his office. He had tried to ask Kasumi out on a date but as usual he fumbled with his words and acted like a complete fool around her. Clueless to his feelings towards her, Kasumi just smiled and went about her business as usual. Akane saw the pain written so plainly upon the good doctor's face and tried to talk to him about it. Tofu laughed and said it was not important, but Akane pressed him on it. Suddenly and without warning, he grabbed her arms and asked with watery eyes, "What is wrong with me?" Then he buried his face in her shoulder and wept.

Akane held him close and silently wept along with him.

He asked again, "What is wrong with me? Why can't I speak to Kasumi-chan like a normal human being?"

Akane knew the answer; she knew what to say, but holding Tofu in her arms her mouth refused to work. Her mind returned her to the days when she still had a crush on the young doctor. Holding him in her arms now was like fulfillment of a long forgotten dream.

They stayed in this embrace for over a minute. Gradually, Tofu's tears subsided and he slowly pried himself from Akane's embrace. "Thank you. I'm sorry to have imposed upon you." He wiped his eyes roughly. "Akane-chan..."

Now the dream was gone and reality returned. This isn't right, she told herself. She grabbed her school bag from the chair. "I have to go." And she ran out the door.

Upon entering the house, Akane headed straight for the kitchen where Kasumi was busy making dinner. "Oh, hello, Akane." Kasumi paused and stared closely at her sister. "Akane, are you all right? Is something wrong?"

Akane shook her head. "No, I'm not all right and there is something wrong. There is something wrong with you, Onee-chan."

"With me?"

"Onee-chan, Tofu-sensei loves you."

"What?" Kasumi nearly dropped the pan in her hand.

Akane took the pan from her and set it on the counter before continuing. "Tofu Ono-sensei loves you, he always has, and he always will. That's why he acts the way he does whenever you're around. You think he's trying to be funny but he only acts that way around you. And it's not because he is trying to impress you or make you laugh. It's because he loves you so much, he goes completely stupid around you."

"Akane, you shouldn't joke about things like that." Kasumi turned away slightly, avoiding eye contact with her sister.

"It's not a joke," Akane insisted. "Ask anyone. Ask the shopkeepers around his clinic. Ask his patients. Even ask Nabiki or Ranma. They'll all tell you the same thing. Everyone knows; everyone has known for years, except you."

"If that is true, why hasn't Tofu-sensei ever said anything to me or even tried to ask me out?" Kasumi countered.

Akane shook her head. "He has tried, hundreds of times; even today. Earlier when you stopped by the clinic he tried to ask you out but whenever he is around you he loses control of himself and his senses. After you left, he cried in my arms and asked me what was wrong with him."

"He cried?"

Akane nodded. "The only think wrong with Tofu-sensei is that he loves you so much that he's become terrified with the thought that you might not feel the same way about him, but that's not true, is it Onee-chan? You do love him don't you?"

"Akane..." Kasumi turned away. "It's not that simple."

"Why? Why isn't it that simple? He loves you. You love him. What's so complicated about that?"

Kasumi spun around. "Akane, stop! You're too young. You don't understand."

"I understand that you always put everyone's happiness before your own. I understand that you've been filling mom's role ever since she died. But it's time you stopped. You are not the mother."

"Stop!" Kasumi's hand stung. She looked down at it and saw it was bright red. Looking up she saw Akane holding her hand over her cheek and fresh tears escaping her eyes. "Akane. I'm sorry." She took a step towards her little sister, but Akane turned and ran up the stairs, locking herself in her room. "Akane!"

Akane chuckled and put her hand to her cheek. "To tell you the truth, I barely felt Onee-chan's slap. She did it so soft, for a moment I wasn't sure that it happened at all. I was more shocked than anything. It was impossible to imagine Onee-chan getting angry at all, let alone actually hitting me."

Ranma chuckled as well.

Akane let out a gasp and turned towards Ranma. "Wait a minute. How did you know I was the one to tell Tofu-sensei about Onee-chan?"

"Well..." Ranma scratched the back of his head and suddenly found the tops of his shoes incredibly interesting. Glancing back up at Akane, he saw she was still waiting for his reply, so he let out a sigh and straightened up to look at her properly. "To tell you the truth, I was at the clinic when …" He looked away again and blushed. "Well, when you know." He stole a look over at Akane. "When Tofu-sensei was crying in your arms." He scratched the back of his head again.

Akane was embarrassed beyond words. She just stared at Ranma, unable or unwilling to believe her ears. Ranma waited for a moment to see what Akane would do; scream, yell, send him flying. Instead, she just stared speechlessly at him. "Well, I was still there when Kasumi-chan arrived a little while later." Ranma forced a grin. "And Tofu-sensei got all tongue-tied and nervous. You know how he gets around your sister." He stole another glance at Akane. "Well, she grabbed a hold of him and told him that you told her that he loved her, so she asked him directly if it was true; if he really loved her. For the first time, Sensei was able to speak clearly around Kasumi-chan. And he did it. He told her he loved her, and he always had."

Akane continued to stare at Ranma a moment longer before blinking away the shock. "I always knew he did." She smiled. "I'm happy for them. Really, I am. Kasumi-oneechan deserves to be happy and I'm sure Tofu-sensei will make her very happy."

She looked back over at Ranma and saw that look in his eyes. It was a look that he had been given her ever since, well ever since she told Kasumi how Tofu felt about her. It was a dumb look, a stupid look that had annoyed Akane to no end. But now with what he had said to her earlier, it seemed to make sense, sort of. "Is that why you've been looking at me funny all this time?" Akane shook her head. "Because you thought I did something nice, something saintly." She chuckled. "You're such a dummy, Ranma." She regretted her words the moment they passed her lips.

The young martial artist blushed and a deep frown crossed his face.

"Ranma, I didn't mean that. Really." She stepped closer to him. "I appreciate that you think what I did was so nice."

Ranma's anger subsided and he returned to staring into her eyes. "Are you sure you're really okay with Tofu-sensei marrying your sister? I mean with the way you felt about him and all." A hint of sadness crept into his expression.

Akane smiled back up to him. "I'm sure. I got over Tofu-sensei nearly a year ago. You remember. I'm just … I don't know." She looked away. "I guess I'm just being a little selfish."

Ranma stuffed his hands in his pockets and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Selfish? About what?"

"About love." She turned back towards him and asked, "Do you ever thing about love, Ranma? About whom you want to spend the rest of your life with? About …" She blushed and looked away. "us?"

Ranma was sure he never saw Akane look any cuter than she did at this very moment. He wanted to tell her that he had been thinking a lot about 'us' recently. In fact, 'us' had been dominating his thoughts ever since Akane told Kasumi about Tofu. He wanted to tell her this, and so much more. Instead, something very different came out of his mouth. "'Us'… What 'us'? He laughed and looked away, but kept his guard up expecting a patented Akane punch or kick. Neither came. He turned in time to see a single tear run down Akane's cheek. What have I done? "Akane!" He stepped towards her but she shoved him aside and ran to the house. Ranma gave no resistance, shifting out of the way, but the heel of his foot hit one of the stones surrounding the pond and he lost his balance and fell back into the cold water.

Akane tried desperately to fight back the tears. Ranma, you jerk. You said you loved me once. Was I just dreaming? Was it wishful thinking on my part that made me hear you say it?

Ranma splashed her way up to the surface of the water. She pulled herself out of the water and looked down at herself. His new suit was ruined and the expensive leather shoes his mother insisted he buy were still at the bottom of the pond. In frustration she screamed out, "You stupid thick-waist, macho chick!" She sighed and hung her head. What is wrong with me?

Akane locked the door to her room and took of the new dress she bought especially for the wedding. She lay down on her bed and curled up tightly. What is wrong with me? Why does he hate me so? Why do I keep putting up with him? She closed her eyes and let the tears flow. "I hate you, Ranma. I really, really do hate you."

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Unknown to the disagreeable couple, their fathers saw their brief exchange.

"When will those two learn to get along long enough to get married?" Soun shook his head in disgust.

"If there were only some way to make those two realize just how much they really mean to each other." Genma rubbed his chin pensively. Soun folded his arms and stared up at the stars. "Well, they do say, distance makes the heart grow founder."

"Hmm..."

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Later that night after the celebrating was over and the Tendo house had grown quiet with the gentle sounds of slumber, Genma was still up watching the weather channel and searching weather related websites. A grin played across his face. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and checked the time. "Hmm, I can get a few hours sleep before we'll have to go." He got up and went to his room. Though his wife, Nodoka, was now occupying Kasumi's old room, Genma still shared the upstairs guest room with his son. He stealthily entered the room and lay upon his futon. Looking over at the sleeping boy, he grinned. "This is for your own good, Ranma." He chuckled and soon after fell asleep.

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Early the next morning Genma woke Ranma by dropping the boy's backpack on him.

"What do you think you're doing, old man?"

Genma shouldered his own backpack. "Get ready boy. We're going on a training journey. You've been getting soft. A week at sea should toughen you up, but we have no time to waste. Pack your bag and say your goodbyes to your mother and Akane."

"Akane? Why would I want to say goodbye to that macho chick?"

Genma thumped the boy over the head. "Show some respect to your fiancée." Then he slid the door shut and stormed off.

"Wonder what's eating him?" Ranma shrugged it off and went about packing his stuff. "By the sea... hmm... guess I'll need my trunks." He grabbed them out of the closet. "Or maybe my swimsuit instead." He pulled out his girl's swimsuit. "If I'm actually gonna be in the water, I guess I'll need this one instead." Holding up both, he shrugged. "May as well take them both."

Ranma entered the kitchen to find his mother already cooking, even though it was still an hour before they usually had breakfast. "Morning mom. Isn't it a little early to eat?"

"Good morning Ranma." She walked over to her son and gave him a loving hug.

"What's wrong mom?" She seemed unusually melancholy this morning.

Nodoka released him and turned back to the stove. "It's nothing. It's just after losing so many years while you were away training, it is hard to see you head off on another trip, even if it is just a week."

Ranma smiled and walked up behind her giving her shoulders a soft squeeze. "Don't worry, mom. Everything will be fine. I'll be back before you know it."

His mother forced a smile. "Of course, you are right." She drew in a deep breath and let it out. "Anyway, this isn't breakfast. This is for you and your father to take on your trip." She busied herself in preparing the food. "Your breakfast is already on the table. Eat it before it gets cold."

"Okay, thanks mom." Ranma headed off to the washitsu without a second thought. Had he looked over at his mother, he would have seen her wiping away the tears from her eyes.

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Ranma and Genma stood ready to go as they said their last goodbyes to Soun and Nodoka.

"We should be back in a little over a week, two at the most." Genma assured them.

"Two weeks." Nodoka sighed.

"Just over a week; two on the outside. That's all." Soun patted Nodoka on the shoulder while giving Genma a knowing wink. Genma responded in kind.

"What is it with you two?" asked Ranma. "What's with all the secret winks?"

"Winks?" Nodoka looked at Genma then glanced over at her family sword which now hung mounted on the wall. Old habits died hard.

As beads of sweat sprang across Genma's forehead, he backed away into the garden. "Well, time to go boy!"

But before they could head out, Soun asked, "Ranma, did you say goodbye to Akane?" Again, he threw another wink to his friend.

Ranma looked away forcing a cynical laugh. "Hey, right. Like I want to wake her up to say bye and get clobbered for the effort? No thanks."

Before Soun or Genma could protest, Nodoka stepped forward. "Ranma, that's not very nice. She is your fiancée and such a sweet girl too."

Ranma looked away. "It doesn't really matter. I'll be back before she even realizes I went anywhere."

Nodoka put a gentle hand under his chin to turn his face towards her. "Is that how you really feel?"

Ranma tried to look away, but his mother was persistent. Staring into her eyes was like staring at a mirror into his own heart. He saw it all so clearly. Akane was in a long flowing dress; the gentle waves in her short hair; just the slightest hint of makeup to bring out her large soft eyes and her moist red lips. For a brief moment Ranma's expression softened but then the memory of what he said came back to him 'Us' What 'us'? He knew then what he should do was go and apologize to Akane, but whether it was because he was too proud or too embarrassed, he backed away and turned to the side. "It doesn't matter. We'll be back in a couple weeks anyway. No big deal. Come on Pop. If we're going, let go."

Nodoka was about to attempt to persuade him once more when a sudden creek of the floor caught her attention. Turning, she saw Akane standing at the bottom of the stairs with a deep sadness etched on her face.

Nodoka approached the young teenage girl and smiled gently. "Akane-chan, go to him. Let him know you'll be waiting for him."

Akane drew in a deep breath and looked up into Mrs. Saotome's eyes. For a moment she saw Ranma in the suit he was wearing last night, his hair combed, and his ever present cocky grin. She sighed and her eyes watered just a bit, but right when she was about to rush out into the garden in order to catch Ranma, she saw the arrogant Ranma saying to her, 'Us' What 'us' ... stupid thick-waist, macho chick!

Akane had her pride too, and today it would not allow her to forgive Ranma his transgression. "I'm sorry, Saotome-ojosama." She turned and ran back up the stairs.

Nodoka watched her son's fiancée run out of sight and heard Akane's bedroom door slam shut. She looked on with sadness in her eyes, first up at the empty hallway, and then out towards the front gate just in time to catch a glimpse of her son's back as he turned the corner and was out of sight. "Come home safe, my son; for me, and for Akane-chan's sake."

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Genma Saotome rowed the small two person boat at a slow steady pace while his son swam along side. "Come on boy! You only have two more days to reach Fukuoka before the direction of the current shifts and you turn into a girl."

Ranma stopped to tread water. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one swimming against the current!"

"Do you think its easy rowing this boat?" Genma snapped back. "My back aches and my arms feel like rubber, but you don't hear me complaining now, do you?" Genma flexed his arm and patted his bicep. "So stop acting like a little girl and swim." He began rowing again.

Ranma felt pangs of guilt down in his stomach. His dad was right. Not once over the past five days did Genma whine or complain. Not only had his dad been rowing nonstop, but even though it was only April, it was unseasonably hot. Ranma knew if he had been rowing the past five days, he would be swimming in his own sweat. Just then, something occurred to him. His father was not covered in sweat. In fact, he was hardly perspiring at all. How was this possible, Ranma wondered? Suddenly, he dove down and swam under the boat. There he saw it, a small propeller turning steadily. That lazy, good for nothing old man. He broke the propeller off with his bare hands.

The boat jerked violently as it started moving backwards with the current. "What did you do?" Genma yelled when Ranma broke the surface.

"I evened things up, that's what. Now, let's go!" He started swimming against the warm tropical current which enabled him to remain a boy for a change.

Genma struggled to keep pace with his son, gasping for air and sweating profusely. "Slow down boy. Give me a chance … to catch my breath."

"Shut up old man!" Ranma snapped back. "You've only been rowing for three hours, so quit your complaining!" For Ranma's part, swimming against the current for the past five days had taken its toll as well. His muscles burned, his lungs were on fire, and he felt like a thin-skinned prune, all wrinkly and ready to tear open from the slightest touch. The one thing Ranma had going for him was that the warm southern currents he was swimming against were just warm enough to keep him from turning into a girl. While he was stronger in his boy form, he was reaching his limit. Fortunately, having caught his father cheating and forcing him to actually work now seemed to re-energize Ranma at least a little bit, and that gave him the resolve he needed to go on. Two more days before the currents change. I can make it. I can reach Fukuoka in two days. I know I can.

There were few things in life that Ranma Saotome could not overcome by sheer will and determination. One such thing was about to challenge him, for beyond the horizon loomed one of the most powerful and deadly forces in nature. While the sky and seas were calm now, they were about to change soon and pose the greatest challenge in Ranma's life.

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To be Continued…

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Notes: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this new story of mine. It has been a long time since I've posted any new works. If you'd like to discuss this or any other of my stories, or just talk about fan fiction or anime/manga in general, add me to your friends list on facebook, using my FF address.

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A. Amishi