"Side by Side" by M. Zephyr (PG-13)

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Fandom Category: Ranma 1/2
Pairing: Akane Tendo/Ranma Saotome
Fic Title: Side by Side: Togetherness
Author: mzephyr
Link: http://home.comcast.net/~mzephyrus/stories/Togetherness.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, a little bit of Romance
WIP?: no
Special Rec: 4 of 34

Why This Must Be Read: When I first bookmarked this story for myself on my delicious account over a year ago, the note I wrote for this link was "part one of an epic story where akane and ranma share cursed forms and are linked together telepathically, the best. ranma. story. ever. for reals." That pretty much still sums up my feelings. The first part of this story covers events while Ranma is traveling in China with his father, up until Ranma and Akane finally meet for the first time. The whole series follows canon with a few twists, resulting in a more thoughtful and mature relationship between Ranma and Akane (while keeping both characters very recognizably and brashly themselves), a lot of humor, wacky adventures, anime-style action, and a deft and interesting handling of gender issues. Leading us to...

Fandom Category: Ranma 1/2
Pairing: Akane Tendo/Ranma Saotome
Fic Title: Side by Side: Who's On First
Author: mzephyr
Link: http://home.comcast.net/~mzephyrus/stories/WhosOnFirst.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, a little bit of Romance
WIP?: yes
Special Rec: 5 of 34

Why This Must Be Read: The second part of the Side by Side series starts where "Togetherness" left off, with Ranma and Akane now living under the same roof at the Anything Goes Martial Arts school (basically, where the anime/manga starts), and it just keeps getting better. I particularly love the handling of Akane in this story - she's a little more level-headed, and it's such a treat to see Ranma and her on the same side when fighting their battles. Unfortunately this half of the story is still unfinished at this time, but it isn't a dead story and at 14 very sizable chapters there's plenty to sink your teeth into in the meantime.

I honestly think these stories are better than the original series. The setup, action, humor, and issues dealt with in this series are just so, so perfect - I would have loved to have seen the same sort of things in the original anime/manga. The length and scope of these stories are epic and perfect for when you have a long weekend and want nothing more than to curl up and immerse yourself in another world.

(Also, FYI, while I linked to the author's personal website, these stories are all on ff.net as well (here and here), if you prefer to leave comments or read the story there.)