Awesome!!! When I was going through some of my old floppy disks, I found the *revised* version of this story!!! And it is SOOOOO much better! So enjoy the new, improved story! (Formerly known as Secrets Long Since Revealed.)
Authors Notes
In a time of lies and deceit, betrayals and sacrifices, there walked one brave man. His name... Ranma Saotome...
Actually, the above paragraph has nothing to do with this story. Well... not in the way you're thinking, anyway. Lies, deceit, betrayals. Yup. This story has that. And more power to you if you can find anything about sacrifices being made. And of course this story does have a brave young man in it named Ranma Saotome. And Akane Tendo. And Genma Saotome and Ukyo Kuonji...
So, sit back and relax as you enter a world where everything you knew, or thought you knew about Ranma 1/2, gets turned upside down... or not.
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SECRETS BEST KEPT HIDDEN
An Alternate Reality
By: Angela Jewell
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Ranma 1/2 is the property of Rumiko Takahashi, or whoever else owns it. I claim no rights to the characters so please don't sue me. Besides... good luck if you tried. I'm broke.
* * *
Akane stepped off the plane excitedly as she began to look around. Lying on a bench in the middle of the lobby was a small homeless man. There was something about him... something familiar... his head was almost bald except for two small patches of gray hair, and he looked a lot older than what should be humanly possible. But what was really strange was that he was clutching a bra lovingly to his chest...
"Pervert," Akane muttered.
Turning away from the disgusting sight, she headed toward the baggage claim, searching the unfamiliar faces as she walked.
"Akane?! Akane Tendo?!" a voice yelled from the crowd.
Akane grabbed her suitcase off the rotating carousel, and then began searching for the owner of the voice. "Ukyo? Where are you?" she yelled, brushing away some dark strands of hair that had fallen in front of her eyes. She saw a giant spatula sticking out of the crowd, and she smiled in recognition. Ignoring the angry, annoyed looks she was receiving, she continued to push past anyone standing in her way. At last she reached the tall pretty brunette who was waiting for her across the lobby.
"Akane?! It is you! How you been, sugar?" Ukyo asked, wrapping her arms around Akane in a tight hug. "You look SO different! Last time I saw you, you had long hair!" Ukyo immediately grabbed the luggage from Akane's hands as they continued to walk through the thick crowds.
"I got it cut short!" she said, fingering the ends nervously.
"But, why?" Ukyo asked, a sour expression on her face. "I barely recognized you, and I loved your long hair!"
"I... I just felt like a change, that's all."
"Well, I guess it does look good short. It'll just take a little getting used too. Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Ranma's waiting for us in the car. You remember him, right?"
Akane laughed. "How could I forget? The cocky martial artist with an ego the size of a house. Ukyo, I can't believe you're still friends with him! He's such a jerk!"
"Come on, Akane... he's really a sweet guy, once you get to know him."
"Ranma? The same Ranma I met in California last time I was here?" Akane shook her head. "No way," she replied.
"You're going to be sorry you said that! He's really cute. Besides, I think you two would make a cute couple..."
Akane stopped walking, and stared at her friend in shock. "You have got to be kidding! Me and that jerk... dating?! Yuck, I'm getting chills just thinking about it!"
Ukyo began laughing, as she watched her friend's shocked face in amusement. "Really, Akane. Don't you think you're over reacting just a little?"
"No." Akane replied calmly, shrugging her shoulders.
Ukyo released a sigh as she continued to stare at her friend's stubborn expression. "Just be nice and don't say anything mean, okay?" she pleaded.
"I'll try to restrain myself." she responded dryly. "But, if he makes one rude comment, he's dead!"
"Alright, deal. If he's rude, you can pound him." The two left the airport and walked toward Ukyo's car. Ukyo happily anticipating Akane and Ranma's meeting.
* * *
The car door swung open with a bang, and a boy who looked about sixteen stepped out. Akane quickly looked him over, recognizing the red, sleeveless shirt, and black pants that he had worn last time she had met him. Her eyes slowly roamed his handsome face, and came to rest on his blue eyes. 'I guess he is cute.' Akane admitted reluctantly to herself. Next, her eyes wandered to his black hair that was pulled tightly into a ponytail at the back of his head. She was also pleased to note that he was very well muscled.
"Akane, Ranma. Ranma, Akane. I believe you two have already met." Ukyo winked.
"Yeah, of course. How could I forget a tomboy like her?" Ranma laughed.
"Uh, oh." Ukyo replied, shooting a quick glance in Akane's direction.
"Excuse me?" Akane began calmly, her voice taking on a hint of anger as her hands balled into fists. "WHAT did you just call me?"
"I called you a tomboy. Why? Are ya hard of hearing too?"
"Why you..." Akane launched herself at Ranma who easily avoided her punch. "HOW DARE YOU CALL ME A TOMBOY YOU-- YOU STUPID, RUDE, CONCEITED, INSENSITIVE JERK!"
"Jeez, calm down, Akane. I mean, I'd have thought you'd be use to it by now!" Ranma stated, feigning hurt.
"Whoa, calm down you two!" Ukyo yelled, stepping in between them before they could tear each other apart. 'This is not how I pictured their reunion.' she thought to herself ruefully. "There is NO way I'm going to play peace maker throughout this whole trip, you guys."
"Don't worry, Ukyo. I'll be just fine, once that JERK apologizes."
"There ain't no way I'm apologizing to that violent tomboy! Last time she was here, she almost tore my arm off!"
Akane's jaw clenched. "Oh, that's it. Now you die!"
"I give up!" Ukyo yelled as she opened the driver's side door, and stepped in. "Are you two coming or not?"
Ranma immediately dropped his defensive pose. "Yeah, yeah. I'm coming."
"Wait for me." Akane yelled, but not before she punched Ranma in the shoulder before climbing into the passenger seat next to Ukyo.
"Stupid, violent, tomboy," Ranma muttered, climbing into the backseat, as he rubbed his sore shoulder.
The car drove off as the bright sun streamed through the windows. The sound of Akane and Ranma fighting could be heard from a distance.
* * *
The three teenagers walked down the street, Ranma and Akane ignoring each other.
"How about this store?" Ukyo inquired, a smile plastered on her face, as she looked hopefully up at her two friends.
"Fine by me." Ranma replied disinterestedly.
"Come on, Akane, I love shopping for new clothes!" Ukyo responded cheerfully, as she grabbed Akane's arm and dragged her into the store.
"Doesn't surprise me that you don't like shopping for clothes, being a tomboy an all."
"Shut up, you stupid jerk." Akane replied behind clenched teeth. "Are you TRYING to pick a fight?"
"Akane, this would look good on you!" Ukyo interrupted holding up a short yellow dress.
Akane eyed the dress critically, forgetting about Ranma's comment. "Gee, I don't know, Ukyo," she replied uncertainly.
"A dress, on her?" Ranma asked shocked. "You gotta be kidding!"
Akane glared angrily at Ranma as she grabbed the dress from Ukyo's hand. "You know what Ukyo? I suddenly like it." Sparing one more mean glare at Ranma, she stalked toward the dressing room. 'I'll show that stupid jerk!' Akane muttered under her breath, as she began to strip off her clothes and slip into the yellow dress. Then, casting a quick glance at her reflection in the mirror, she confidently stepped out of the changing room.
Ignoring Ranma's shocked expression, Akane fixed her gaze firmly on Ukyo. "Well, what do you think? Is it me?" She twirled around once, smiling brightly.
Ranma stared at Akane in stunned disbelief. 'She actually looks good in a dress!' he thought to himself in amazement. 'Cute, even.'
"Wow! That dress was made for you, Akane. You HAVE to buy it!" Ukyo turned her gaze towards Ranma, an amused smile lighting her face. "What do YOU think, Ranma?"
"Huh?" Ranma responded unintelligibly, finally taking his eyes off of Akane. "Um, what were ya sayin', Ucchan?"
"Well, there's your answer, Akane. He's practically speechless."
"Ranma? Speechless? I don't believe it. I would have thought that he'd make some stupid comment by now!"
"Gimme a minute, will ya? I'm thinking."
"You? Thinking? I have to admit it, you're finally acting like a human being. That's so unlike you..."
Ranma fixed an angry glare on Akane. "Ha, ha, very funny. Could you just hurry up an buy the stupid dress, so we can get outta here?"
"You don't like it?" Akane asked, a hurt expression forming on her face which was quickly replaced by a look of anger.
"W... Well, I... I didn't say I didn't like it." Ranma began nervously, his eyes begging Ukyo for help.
"No way, pal. You’re on your own on this one!" Ukyo replied, an amused expression on her face.
"I could care less what that chauvinistic pig thinks," Akane stated indignantly.
"Who's chauvinistic?"
"Um, Akane." Ukyo began slowly, hoping to avoid another fight between the two. "Maybe you should get going," she stated, gesturing toward the changing room.
"Yeah, sure. I'll be right out." Akane said, sparing one more angry look at Ranma, before she headed back into the dressing room.
* * *
"That'll be twenty five dollars and seventy five cents." The store clerk said, waiting impatiently as Akane searched through her purse for the correct change.
"Hey, who are those people?" Ranma asked, indicating the couple in the small photograph Akane had clenched tightly in her hand. "They look kinda familiar."
"What? This?" Akane asked, handing the picture to Ranma. "It's my parents."
"Your parents? My old man has a photograph just like this, hidden in his drawer. I wonder how our parents know each other."
"I don't know, but why would your dad hide the picture in the first place?" Akane asked confused.
"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out!" Ranma replied, cracking his knuckles.
"Here you go." The store clerk said in a bored tone, handing the bag to Akane. "Thank you for shopping at Cameels, come again soon."
"Come on, we've got some investigating to do," Ranma exclaimed excitedly, ignoring the store clerk, as he dragged them out of the clothing store.
"Is he always like this?" Akane asked annoyed.
"Yup," came Ukyo's dry reply. "Always."
* * *
"Quit lying pop. I know you know them, so stop denying it. You have this exact picture hidden in your dresser!" Ranma yelled angrily.
"Why, you insolent boy! How dare you go through your own father's personal belongings. I am shocked and appalled by your behavior. Why, I remember only yesterday..."
"Quit it with the theatrics, pop, nobody's fallin for it. How do ya know em?"
"I'll never tell!" Ranma's father stated. His expression grim and determined.
Ranma released a frustrated sigh as he glared angrily at his father. The hostile air around them was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"I'll find out one way or another, pop." Ranma replied confidently. His blue eyes bore into his father, who shook his head sadly.
"I'm afraid not, boy. I've managed to keep my secret this long, and it'll follow me to my grave."
At that moment, Akane walked into the room, a large, satisfied smile on her face. "I just got off the phone with my dad. He said that they used to be friends in Tokyo before they moved to America. Apparently they had some stupid fight, and haven't spoken to each other since. He said that Mr. Saotome can tell us the rest."
"Well, so much for bringing your secret with ya to the grave, eh pop?" Ranma asked, an amused smile on his face.
"Shut up boy," Mr. Saotome yelled angrily.
"Well, aren't you going to tell us the rest of it, Mr. S?" Ukyo asked curiously.
"Well, I see I have no choice. Ranma, my boy, I was hoping you'd never find out about this, but..." pausing to take a dramatic breath, Mr. Saotome began his sad tale. "Before we moved to America, your mother and I were friends with a very prominent family... the Tendos. Me and Tendo had been best friends since childhood and had agreed that one day our children would marry. Those children were you and Akane."
"WHAT?!" Ranma and Akane yelled simultaneously. They exchanged brief embarrassed looks, and then returned to avoiding each other's eyes.
"WOW! This is better than I thought!" Ukyo exclaimed gleefully. A smile quickly spread over her face.
"But unfortunately, the engagement was never meant to be," Mr. Saotome explained sadly. Ranma and Akane released loud sighs of relief.
"Darn," Ukyo responded disappointed. "This was just starting to get interesting too."
Mr. Saotome ignored them as he continued his story. "About fourteen years ago, Tendo and I had an argument, and the engagement was called off."
"Thank goodness." Ranma interrupted relieved.
"Hey!" Akane yelled angrily. "That's MY line."
"What were you guys arguing about in the first place?" Ukyo asked curiously.
"Well, um, ya see, uh... I don't really remember," Mr. Saotome said, embarrassed.
"WHAT?!" Ranma and Akane yelled again.
"You two haven't spoken for fourteen years, and you can't even remember what you were fighting about?" Ranma yelled incredously. "I don't believe this!"
"Mr. Saotome, if I call my dad and convince him to talk with you, will you talk to him? Maybe you guys can put the argument behind you, and move on."
"Well, um, I... I suppose so."
"Great! I'll call him right now!"
* * *
Mr. Saotome hung up the phone happily. A huge smile plastered on his face, "Well, kids, we got everything straightened out. Actually, Akane, your dad couldn't remember what the argument was about either!" he said with a laugh. "He's got a meeting here next week and so we're going to catch up on old times!"
"Gee, that's great pop. I'm glad you both sorted out your differences."
"That's not even the best part, son. Mr. Tendo and I have decided to resume your engagement to Akane. You two are getting married right after you graduate from high school!"
"WHAT?! You've gotta be kidding me! This ain’t Japan, old man. You can't tell me who to marry!"
Akane stood beside Ukyo in stunned silence. Nodding her head, every few minutes to agree with what Ranma was saying.
"Besides, there's no way, I'd ever marry an uncute tomboy like her!"
Akane snapped out of her daze, and her brown eyes flashed angrily. "What did you just call me?"
"Oh, not again," Ukyo complained loudly. "Well, hate to uncover a family secret and run, but I gotta go. See you, Ranma! Come on Akane," she added, dragging her friend behind her--her friend who was still fuming.
"Good-bye, daughter-in-law!" Ranma's father yelled enthusiastically. "When your father comes up, we can discuss the wedding preparations!"
"Are ya crazy, old man? I SAID THERE AIN'T GONNA BE NO WEDDING!"
"Oh, boy. This is going to be a LONG summer!" Ukyo mumbled under her breath. The sounds of Ranma and his father fighting could be heard down the street, and the moon continued to shine in the evening sky. 'A long summer indeed.' Ukyo thought to herself, as she stepped into her car, and drove off into the night.
THE END
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Don't dig too deeply.
You might not like the things you find.
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Hope you liked it!
Questions and comments welcome. (Even flames, if you insist.)
Ooh... and I'm sorry this story kind of sucks. I wrote it WAY back in High School, my Freshman year. Eventually, I'll go through it and revise it... anyway, hope it wasn't too horrible. The only part I really like is the ending, lol.