Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed within the following story. All Ranma ½ characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, don’t bother trying to sue me, you wont get much. This story is strictly non profit. set 8 years after the end of Ranma. Ranma is 24. Ranko actress --------------- Chapter 1 Nabiki ran into the Tendo house shouting at the top of her voice "I've found him, I found him." She shook her hand, which was gripped tightly around a large piece of paper. Everybody looked up at her curiously, this was a side of Nabiki that was rarely seen. Kasumi smiled gently at her. "Oh my! Who did you find?" she asked, while pouring a cup of tea for a gasping Nabiki. "Ranma" Nabiki shouted. "Who else are we looking for?" Everybody was shocked for a moment before they all shouted questions at the same time. "Where is that perverted idiot?" the tomboy shouted. "Get him here so he can perform his honorable duties." A rather large and fat panda man bellowed. "Waaahhh the schools will finally be joined." Soun wailed. "My baby, where is my baby boy? I’m so sorry, I only want to see you again." Nodoka sobbed, clutching at her katana like a cuddly toy for comfort. Kasumi simply smiled and said nothing. Nabiki had finally had enough so she shouted out to be overheard over the din. "SHUT UP." When everybody had quieted down she started with her explanation. "I’m not sure exactly were he is yet." She glared at the others, daring them to speak. Nobody did. "But I found a clue which will lead me to him." She held out her hand, revealing a poster for a new movie 'Dragon ascension, starring Ranko and Hiroshi Tanaka.' Nabiki was treated to a repeat of a few seconds ago. The only person who she could understand was Akane, who was cursing at the top of her lungs. "DAMN YOU RANMA" she screamed. "how dare you take my dream of becoming an actress away from me." she burst into tears. She had wanted to go onto college after finishing high school to study acting. Instead her father and uncle Saotome had insisted she stay at the dojo and train students to carry on the art. 'Acting is useless to a martial artist.' Genma had said. She had been stuck at the dojo ever since, trying to teach others her meagre skills. "QUIET" Nabiki shouted again. "It was stuff like this and the fiancée mess that caused Ranma to run away." She said while glaring at Genma who had caused most of Ranma's troubles. Genma simply shrugged of the glare, having had worse from Nodoka. He soon started sweating however when he caught a similar glare and a vindictive gleam in Nodoka's eye. Nabiki glared at everybody except Kasumi. "Now that everybody has stopped acting like children." she stated disdainfully, causing a few bowed heads. "I can finally get a suggestion in." She took in a calming breath. "While I get my contacts to search for this name" She pointed at the poster "I suggest we all go see the film, it came out yesterday." Everybody agreed, not wanting to get on Nabiki's bad side, and being quite curious to how good an actress Ranko is. Nodoka just wanted to see her baby again, even if it was in a movie. The movie turned out to be pretty good. It was a martial arts flick with Ranko as the main heroine who falls in love with another fighter who joined her in her quest to destroy the dragon that had killed most of the people in their hometowns. They grow closer as they work and train together, finally killing the dragon. The dragons life essence leaves and joins the two heroes, ascending their powers to dragon levels. The movie ends with them kissing next to the dragons burning carcass when a flock of dragons swarm in, they smile towards each other and get into fighting stances, ending the movie with the promise of a sequel. (Might write a side story of this movie eventually) Nabiki, Kasumi and Nodoka came out of the cinema with teary eyes. "I cant believe she can act like that." Nabiki stated. "Before she left she couldn’t even tell a simple lie convincingly." Kasumi and Nodoka nodded, feeling too emotional to say anything. "Also I could have sworn her lips were forming English words, I guess they filmed it in English and she dubbed herself for this Japanese version." Akane left the cinema stomping furiously. "He stole my dream job, the pervert." She growled out angrily. "I'll mallet the ba*#%rd to hell." She ignore everybody else and stormed back home. Genma grabbed Soun's arm and started walking in a random direction. "Come Tendo, we must travel to America and drag my worthless boy back to the dojo." Soun nodded and followed. "Quite right Genma old pal, Quite right." "Morons" Nabiki snorted with disgust. "They have no idea were in America she is, not all movies are made in Hollywood." She looked over to Nodoka and her expression softened. "Dont worry Auntie Saotome, I'll find Ranma for you." Nodoka smiled softly. "Thank you Nabiki dear, but please promise me you wont tell anyone else were he or she is." She glared at Genma's retreating form. Nabiki understood immediately. "Of coarse Auntie, I wouldn't want to drive her away from us again." She looked a little guilty. "After all she doesn’t need us, so one wrong move and we'll never see her again." Nodoka nodded, her eyes glistening again. Nabiki, Kasumi and Nodoka, the only sane people living at the Tendo house left together for home. Nabiki soon disappeared to track down Ranma's whereabouts. ---------- Elsewhere a beautiful red haired woman was resting in a large and expensive hotel room after a gruelling movie release. She and her husband still had jet lag from flying to Japan from America a few days ago, and where both very tired. A little four year old redheaded girl ran into the room and dived onto the bed squealing "Mommiee" as she flew and bounced onto the soft mattress. The older woman shot awake and glared slightly at the little bundle of energy, her eyes trying to focus and failing miserably. The glare soon softened into a loving look, as she saw how happy her daughter was. The little girl looked happily at her mother and soon wrapped her tiny little arms around her mothers neck giving her a big hug. She let go a little and kissed her mothers cheek. "I love you momma." The mother burst out into giggles and hugged her daughter back, kissing her on the forehead. "Oh Kimiko, I love you so much." Kimiko giggled and jumped playfully from her mothers embrace onto her father, who was still fast asleep. "Daddy, daddy wake up." She shouted while jumping on her fathers chest. The man, who was quite handsome and well built got up wearily, lifting his arm to flatten his messy short black hair. "Hey kiddo, give me a minute." He grabbed her in a hug and then lowered her to the floor, he smiled lovingly at her. "Go on get dressed like a big girl, then we can all go out for breakfast." Kimiko's eyes lit up and she ran hastily out of the room shouting "Yaaayy FOOOD" The man turned his loving gaze to his wife and chuckled. "She gets that from you, you know." The woman giggled and returned his loving gaze twice fold. "I know my love, but she is a growing girl." She stared into his eyes, losing herself in their depths. "I love you Hiroshi." He stared back, equally entranced by her eyes. "I know, I love you too Ranko." He leaned forward and their lips met, the kiss was soon interrupted. "FOOOD" Shouted a starving hyperactive four year old, rushing back into the room fully dressed and ready to go. Ranko and Hiroshi broke apart, laughing cheerfully. They climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom to get cleaned up, before getting dressed. After a quarter of an hour getting ready, fourteen minutes too long for poor Kimiko, the Tanaka's left the Tokyo Hilton Hotel and left in search of food. Ranko had dressed in a lovely light blue blouse and dark blue knee length skirt. She also wore a large straw hat and sunglasses, she didn't want anybody to recognise her since she was famous. Her husband wore more casual black slacks and a dark blue shirt, he too wore sunglasses. Little Kimiko was running around wearing a pair of red shorts and a light pink t-shirt. She doesn't wear dresses or skirts very much as she loves to race around and climb things. Inside a small but cosy cafe the family sit around a table waiting for their order, Kimiko bouncing on her seat as she waits anxiously for some food. Hiroshi looked anxiously towards his wife. "Now that we have finished with the launch, what do you want to do now?" Ranko raised an eyebrow but said nothing, knowing he already had something in mind. He started sweating "I know we said we were just going to take a break and enjoy ourselves, like a holiday." His face took on a pleading look "But don't you want to visit our families? I know my mother would love to have us around to visit, she cant get enough pictures of Kimiko, I know she would love to see more of her granddaughter." Kimiko stopped bouncing and turned her cute wide puppy dog like eyes to her mother. "Please momma, I really, really wanna see gramma again." Ranko smiled at her husband and daughter. "Of course we can visit grandma Yuka, I really miss her." Hiroshi smiled back at her. "Yayyy were gonna go see gramma." The little girl shouted, attracting attention from the few other patrons of the cafe. They all smiled at the cute and excitable little girl, and went back to whatever they were doing. Hiroshi frowned a little, thinking about his next question. "But what about your parents? We've never met them. Wouldn't you like to see them again?" The older redhead sighed. "Remember when I told you what I was really born as?" She whispered into his ear. "Yes." He whispered back "But That doesnt matter, I love you anyway." She smiled. "I know, I love you too." She sighed. "But my father has never loved me, to him I was just a meal ticket. When I finally refused to marry any of the multiple fiancée’s he made for me, his chance of an easy retirement was at risk so he threatened to kick me out of the family. I ignored him and left anyway, the last I heard was him shouting I was no longer his son." He grabbed her hand in a comforting gesture. "Maybe he's changed his mind." He said hopefully. "It has been a long time." She shook her head sadly. "No, he only ever thinks for himself. Nothing will have changed with him. As soon as he sees me he will insist I marry a Tendo to unite the damn schools." "Well what about your mother? Surely she would love you?" He asked, switching topic. "No my mother wanted me to kill myself if I wasn't, you know. If she was like that after ten years apart, imagine how much worse she would be after another eight years?" She stared at the table, slowly getting depressed when a pair of small arms wrapped around her. "We love you momma" Ranko said happily, tying to cheer up her mother. She succeeded, a large smile bloomed onto Ranko's face as she hugged Kimiko back. The food soon came, pleasing Kimiko who dug into the plate with gusto. Ranko giggled at her daughters enthusiasm. Hiroshi hid his face in his hands. They were about to join their daughter in eating when they noticed a shy teenaged girl approaching them with a photograph held in front of her. She flicked her eyes from the photo to the couple sitting at the table, she recognised them since they had taken off their sunglasses since coming indoors. "Excuse me." The girl spoke timidly, looking like she might pass out at any moment. Kimiko stopped eating and looked at the older girl, she excitedly leapt out of her seat and grabbed the photo from the girls hands. "Wow look momma, it's you and poppa." She said as she waved the photo at her parents. Ranko smiled at her daughter then turned her attention to the shy girl. "please take a seat miss..." She gestured to an empty chair. The girl almost passed out in shock. "Sayoko, maam. Sayoko Ito." She nervously sat in the chair. "I... I really loved your new movie." Ranko smiled, she loved hearing praise after all those years of being put down by Genma. Hiroshi rolled his eyes, yet another fan. Kimiko decided she liked this girl. "I loved momma's movie too, someday Im gonna be in one." "So Sayoko-chan I guess you want a signature?" Ranko said as she gestured towards the photo still held by her daughter. Sayoko nodded dumbly, stunned into speechlessness. "It's alright dear, I'd be happy to sign it for you." She looked to Kimiko. "Dear please hand me the photo." Kimiko looked at it sadly, reluctant to pass it over. She soon changed her mind when her mother frowned at her. Ranko and Hiroshi both signed it 'To Sayoko, glad to meet you love Ranko and Hiroshi.' She handed the photo back to Sayoko who gasped happily. "Thank you, I... I don’t know what to say." She stammered. She was about to leave when Ranko gently placed her hand on her shoulder. "no need to leave dear, come join us." Ranko gestured for the waitress and got the girl to order something. She also ordered puddings much to Kikuko's glee. They sat eating for another fifteen minutes, Sayoko finally calming down and getting less nervous around her idols. Ranko gestured for the waitress again. "I’m sorry dear." She said to Sayoko "We must be going, were going to see our family." Sayoko's expression turned slightly moody. "Well it was nice meeting you, thanks for everything." The waitress came to the table were Ranko asked for the bill. She pulled out several notes, plus a tip. She turned to Sayoko who was about to argue about the payment. "Dont worry dear, it's on us. I enjoyed your company." The Tanaka's left the cafe, Kimiko feeling a lot happier having been fed. "Momma can I have some ice cream?" she asked innocently. Ranko face faulted, Hiroshi just shook his head. Kimiko burst into giggles, "Only joking momma." Shaking her head, Ranko picked up her bundle of joy and walked off with her husband to her mother in-law's house. ---------- Nabiki sat at her computer reading her e-mail. One of her associates was at the opening of Ranko's movie so she knew Ranko was in Japan at least a day ago. She checked the listings for planes leaving and was glad to find nothing. A search of boat listings also turned up negative. Having no more leads on Ranko's whereabouts she checked with another associate who was checking for information on the name Ranko Tanaka, she was shocked speechless at the contents of that e-mail. To: IceQueen From: Haxor101 Hacked from the American government database. Payment as usual. Tanaka Family Ranko Tanaka: age 24: Wife Hiroshi Tanaka: age 26: Husband Kimiko Tanaka: age 4: Daughter Currently living: (Some American address) She printed out the e-mail and rushed out of her room. "Family meeting" She shouted as she ran down the stairs. Kasumi and Nodoka poked their heads out inquisitively from the kitchen. Soun and Genma looked up from their everlasting game of shogi, and Akane came from her room following Nabiki. "I have some important information, nobody interrupt or I'll charge you ten thousand yen, ok?" She waited until everybody nodded before continuing. "Ok Ranma's currently in Japan, She promoted her movie yesterday. Also a source of mine has some disturbing news." She glanced down at the paper in her hand. "Ranma is legally a girl named Ranko Tanaka." Everybody was shocked but they all kept silent except Genma. "WHAT, how dare the boy shirk his duties and act like a GIRL" Nabiki held out her hand to Genma who instantly became silent. He tried to act innocent and weasel out of paying when a katana appeared by his neck. "Husband." Nodoka growled out. "I would like to hear the rest about my child." Genma quickly paid and swore to himself not to speak again. "As I was saying" She glared at Genma. "Ranko is legally a girl, she's also an American citizen married to Hiroshi Tanaka." Everybody gasped but to Nabiki's satisfaction they stayed silent. "She also has a four year old daughter." She sweat dropped at the proud and ecstatic look that suddenly appeared on Nodoka's face. She knew Nodoka would be dancing around with a fan singing about grandchildren if she hadn't made them stay silent. She noticed the glazed looks in her fathers eyes and the intense rage in Akane's. "Ok I’m done." She got up quickly and ran to the stairs. "You can speak again." The room exploded in cacophony of sound. Genma shouting about worthless son's. Akane shouting and screaming about perverts. Soun wailed and attempted to flood the living room. Kasumi smiled happily, glad Ranma had moved on and is happy. She was mopping up Soun’s tears. Nodoka did just what Nabiki predicted and started dancing around. Nabiki shook her head and left for her room, to wait for everyone to calm down. After around ten minutes their was a knock on Nabiki's door. She answered and was surprised to see Nodoka standing on the other side. "Yes Mrs Saotome?" Nodoka bowed her head sadly. "I’m sorry to bother you Nabiki-chan but I was wondering..." Nabiki took pity on Nodoka. "I’m sorry auntie, I told you all I know. I’m still looking for her, I’m sure my associates will be able to find her. Several detective agencies owe me a few favours." Her ice cold mask cracked and a tear tracked it's way down her cheek. She wrapped the older woman in hug, "I promise I will find her auntie." Nodoka nodded sadly and returned the hug before leaving. Nabiki returned to her room, more determined than ever to find Ranko. She checked her computer again and noticed another e-mail. Checking it she found a possible location to find Ranko. Ranko's husband has a family who live in Tokyo, in the Minato ward. She guessed that Ranko and her family might visit them since they got along, unlike her own family and the Saotome's. Nabiki quickly copied the address down and then rushed out to fetch auntie Nodoka. "Auntie can I have a word in private." She gestured outside. Nodoka nodded and followed. When they were out of earshot of the others Nabiki continued. "I found a place Ranko might visit, if you'll come with me we can check right now. We cant tell the other's, they'll just drive her away before you can speak to her." "I’m sure you're right Nabiki." She looked thoughtful for a moment before gently grabbing Nabiki's arm. "Well lets go dear, I have a granddaughter to meet. ---------- The Tanaka's had arrived outside a modest looking house with a well kept garden. Kimiko was the first to dash through the gate and was banging on the door with her tiny little fists. Ranko shared a smile with Hiroshi. The door opened up to reveal a middle aged lady with long brown hair, she wore a deep red kimono. Her face lit up into a bright smile when she saw Kimiko and she scooped the little girl up into a hug. "Who's a big girl now?" "Gramma Yuka" Kimiko shouted with glee. "Got any candy?" "Kimiko" Ranko scolded. "You just ate an hour ago." She smiled at her mother in-law. "Hello mother, I’m glad to see you again." She walked up the lady and wrapped her arms around her and her daughter. Yuka returned the hug and laughed. "Lovely to see you too dear." She was interrupted by a wriggling between her and Ranko. "Gramma, momma your squishing me." Kimiko squealed. The adults laughed and separated letting the little girl free to dash off looking for her grandfather. "Granpa Kuji where are you?" She shouted as she ran past her grandmother into the house. Yuka giggled at her granddaughters antics, then turned her attention towards her next target, enfolding her son in a large hug. "Moooom" He moaned. "What’s with all the hugging?" He hugged back anyway, despite his protests, a small smile on his face. Tuka smiled a soft caring smile towards her son and his wife. "Im sorry dear, I just missed my baby so much." Ranko laughed merrily at her husbands discomfort, a slight smirk formed on her lips. "We missed you too momma." she said entuthiastically as she grabbed her mother in law up in another hug. "Come on, lets go inside and save poppa from the energetic missile." They all went inside after the peppy girl, hoping to save Kimiko's grandfather from the little girl. The Tanaka’s meet Hiroshi’s family and Nabiki and Nodoka show up combining the two story threads. ideas -------- Ranko is doing a sighning session and meets Futaba shimeru the idol star. Ranko signs futabas book, then gets a good feeling from her. She invites futaba to meet her later on in a cafe. Ranko gets futaba to confess actually being a boy, she confesses to having been a boy. Even though ranko is 8 - 10 years older than futaba they become freinds.