Silence, Strength, and Springwater

Episode 1: Here's Ranma

I don't own any of the characters.

[SOMEWHERE IN TOKYO, 2014]

[ANYTHING GOES MARTIAL ARTS TENDO DOJO]

"Hi, Mr. Tendo. Yes. Your mail."

"Thanks."

The mail carrier hurried off, already turning the corner before Soun Tendo even fully bowed. He shut the gate with a thoughtful hum, turning the envelope over in his hands.

"From Genma..." he murmured.

He tore it open right there in the entryway, eyes scanning fast. His expression changed instantly.

"No time for pleasantries. Bringing Ranma back. From China. Lotsa Love, Genma."

Soun was trembling and started crying over the card.

"Ra... Ranma-kun is coming?! I've been waiting for this day for so long!"

Upstairs in her room, Pucca paused mid-chip. She sat on her futon, munching on a chip while reading manga, before pausing to look toward the door with a curious tilt of her head.

Inside the house, Soun threw the front door open and rushed inside.

"Hey! Kasumi! Nabiki! Akane! Pucca!"

Soun ran to the kitchen where Kasumi was preparing breakfast. She looked behind her at her father. "Uh-huh? Dad, what is it?"

Soun ran to Nabiki's room and threw the door open. Nabiki turned to her dad with a magazine in her hands and a popsicle in her mouth.

Soun opened Pucca's door next. Pucca looked up from her manga, holding a potato chip in her hand.

"What's wrong, Uncle Soun?" Pucca asked.

Next Soun opened Akane's room.

"Guess Akane's not in her room right now," Soun said, frantically looking around before running down the hall.

"I think she went out to train," Nabiki called out.

"I'm back!"

Akane went to her room to change into her gi, headed out to the backyard, and set up three concrete bricks—two at the bottom and one on top. With a loud yell, she punched straight through all three of them.

Akane stood over the pile of shattered concrete, hands on her hips. "Ah, that's better."

"At it again?" Nabiki groaned, leaning against the doorframe. "Boys won't like you if you carry on like that."

"Who asked for your opinion? I'm not like you, I hate men!"

"Well then, I guess what I was about to tell you isn't relevant," Nabiki said smoothly.

"Huh?"

Inside again, the tension was thick while the rain poured heavily outside.

"Wait, a fiancée?!" Akane repeated, her voice rising.

"Yes, he's the son of a good friend of mine. His name's Ranma Saotome. Our Tendo Dojo will be safe if one of you four marries him and inherits it in the future."

"Now you just wait a minute!" Akane snapped. "You have no right to decide that! I'm not doing it!"

"She's right, Uncle," Pucca added gently but firmly. "We've never even met him."

"Don't worry. You'll meet him soon enough."
"The Saotomes recently went on a trip to perfect their martial arts. Seems like they're stopping here on their way back from China," Soun told his daughters and niece.