Akane Tendo (Love Note)

**Akane Tendo** (天道 あかね *Tendō Akane*) is the youngest of Soun Tendo's three daughters and one of the heirs to the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts.

## Appearance

Akane is the shortest of the main characters, being shorter than Ranma Saotome in his male form, but about the same height as his cursed form. She has short black hair (blue highlighted in the anime) and brown eyes. At the beginning of the series she had long hair, but after it was cut off during a fight between Ryoga Hibiki and Ranma, she kept it short for the rest of the series.

She usually wears the girls' uniform for Furinkan High School, but has a wide variety of outfits. For training or anticipated combat, Akane wears a light yellow gi and is barefoot.

## Character

Akane Tendō is a generally pleasant, friendly girl who can be helpful and self-sacrificing even to her rivals. However, she's also hot-tempered, very insecure, finds the arranged marriage situation very awkward and is notoriously stubborn, which means there are times she's come off as having a hair-trigger temper toward Ranma Saotome. In general, though, they do get on well enough (although Ranma recurrently mocks her most sensitive spots, and Akane sometimes gives as good as she gets), she frequently helps him out or cheers for him, and is just as willing to make heroic sacrifices for him as he is for her. She is extremely possessive and jealous when it comes to Ranma and easily angers when she finds him in the arms of his other fiancés.

## History

The youngest of the Tendō sisters, and a huge tomboy, Akane is prospectively one of the heiresses to her father's dojo. Promised to marry Ranma alongside her sisters as per their parents' agreement from an early age, Akane is ultimately chosen as his betrothed ahead of her sisters, albeit very reluctantly. This effectively makes her Ranma's original and foremost fiancée, unbeknownst to the fact that more girls would come after him for various convoluted reasons.

## Plot

After Kasumi’s disastrous attempt at getting Shampoo and Mousse together she decided it would be best to limit herself to the direct problem of Ranma and Akane's relationship. Unfortunately even though they clash more often than not due to Ranma's general attitude and Akane's mild dislike of men they do have feelings for each other; so when Kasumi used the Love Note it caused their love to return to to its default. They both fell for the first compatible person they encountered Ranma to Kasumi and Akane to Mousse.

Shortly after being kicked to the curb by Shampoo, Akane took it upon herself to find Mousse some temporary residence and given his experience in the restaurant business, Ukyo had found herself on the short list. She had been very reluctant to take the Amazon in, but after much pleading from Akane, she agreed on a temporary basis. Akane is introduced trying to comfort Mousse after he failed to get Shampoo to believe in his innocence.

Through a combination of pride and uncertainty Ranma and Akane opted to ignore what was going on. Eventually Akane took the initiative to end the silence. She told Ranma that she knew cupid was responsible so there was no reason to blame each other. Unfortunately that just left them back where they started as nearly could really deny there knew feelings.

Despite herself Akane let the usual pangs of jealousy and anger surface when Ranma said that they should maybe accept it. He was quick to call her out on her hypocrisy, allowing her to rein it in by reminding herself that it was cupid’s fault. Ranma didn’t really know what to do just that fighting it wasn’t working.

Cupid’s antics also caused him to start questioning if his fiancée’s affection for him were real. After once again getting Akane to calm down after she jumped to conclusion that he was in love with Shampoo and Kodachi, he pointed out how suddenly they fell in love with him. This causes Akane’s anger to transform into uncertainty causing her to run off in a desperate attempt to escape the situation. Ranma didn’t give chase.

It was about an hour after leaving Ranma’s side that Akane finally found herself outside Dr. Tofu’s clinic. Her earlier wanderings had not helped her state of mind, especially when she had discovered that instinctively she had been heading to Ukyo’s, the current residence of Mousse. It took a fair bit of her will power to resist the urge to see him in her current state of mind. Coming to Dr. Tofu’s seemed the next best thing. She desperately needed someone to talk to.

She informed Tofu about what was going on with cupid. She was shocked to discover that he didn’t know about Kasumi, as he hadn’t seen her in quite a while. Akane tried to run away only for Tofu to stop her. He told her that if she couldn’t trust her feelings anymore then perhaps it is time to look at what other qualities she wants.

Akane was seriously jealous and it didn’t help when Nabiki told her that Kasumi was out shopping and Ranma had went with her. She accused the two of seeing each other, and when Nabiki called her out for being paranoid she told her about how Kasumi hadn’t been over to see Tofu and that Shampoo was staying at his clinic. Nabiki was deliberately vague when she explained that Kasumi and Tofu were pretty much done’ though she didn’t know about Shampoo.

Akane tired of seeing Ranma and Kasumi together decided to forgo walking home with him and left by herself, and eventually found her sulking on a bench. She was startled when Mousse suddenly showed up. He had went to the Nekohanten to try and get his job back, but someone else already got hired. Unlike Akane, Mousse made no attempt to mask his inner frustrations as he expressed his desire to kill Cupid.

She asked him if he knew about Shampoo and Tofu only to get a low growl as an answer. Searching for a topic to fill the moment, and perhaps lighten Mousse’s mood she asked him why he never challenged Shampoo to a fight only be shocked to learn that not only had he, but he one. Comparing Shampoo’s reaction to Mousse defeating her to her reaction to Ranma caused Akane to wonder if he was right.

Hearing Ranma’s theory and the thought that he could reverse all this gave Mousse renewed energy. Unfortunately for him, it lasted only seconds before reality set back in. Not only did he not know who cupid was, but even if he did find him that didn’t mean he could fix anything, there was also the fact that the law was still in effect. He came to the conclusion that all he needed to do was get Akane and Ranma back together.

To that end he asked Akane out telling her that by exploiting Ranma’s jealousy he’ll come running. Not sure Akane suggested they try to find L as he might not know something about Cupid. Mousse agreed and finally getting into it AKane said they could try contacting the police. With that they agreed to see each other the next day. As Mousse left Akane justified herself by saying that Ranma gets to see Kasumi so fair is fair.

Akane and Mousse went on their date the next day. Of course, Mousse was treating it as little more than a facade to trick Ranma, but for Akane it felt far more significant. Distracted she barely listened as Mousse talked about trying to find L. She was brought out of her musing by the sight of Ranma peering in from a bench on the opposite side of the road. At seeing Akane notice him, he quickly turned around and tried to remain inconspicuous, but it was pointless. Seeing her fiance was enough to change the direction of her thoughts, and a certain sense of gratification arose in her.

Before Akane could wonder were Ranma went he came in with Shampoo in hand. Her and Mousse’s reaction to seeing them were predictably bad. Mousse and Ranma were soon exchanging barbs, and as usual Mousse was taking the worst of it. The ensuing fight was brief. As expected, Ranma laid Mousse out, but not before several tables and chairs became unfortunate victims of the battle. Frowning, Akane got to her feet and stalked over to Ranma. She called Ranma out for starting a fight, to which he countered by called her out for trying to make him jealous. In outrage she punted him away.

The two headed back to Ukyo’s restaurant where Akane patched Mousse up. By then the boy’s anger had given way to remorse and he held his head low. Despite the nature of the circumstances, Akane could not help but see this as just a little amusing. Mousse apologized to Akane for letting Ranma get to him, but she waived it off, even reminding him that his plan worked.

This cheered Mousse up and he decided that they needed to keep up the pressure and told her that they should go out every weekend. Akane tried to protest only to be interrupted by Mousse who felt that Ranma would certainly challenge him for her.

Thinking to herself Akane remembered what Ranma had said to her many days earlier about ‘Accept it.’ She decided that he meat that he personally should be allowed to date Kasumi while she does nothing and began wondering if he had the qualities she wanted in a boyfriend.

Finally noticing Akane’s inattention and worsening mood, Mousse asked her if she was okay, but she brushed it off. When he asked her if she thought his plan would work she told him it was. To changing topics she asked him about Shampoo. When Mousse became depressed at this Akane couldn’t find the will to try and cheer him up, as she could no longer see the two Amazons as a couple. As Akane considered this, she began to come to one conclusion. Get Mousse to see that there is something better out there for him.

As that through began to take hold, Ukyo came up the stairs in a rush. She entered the room, came to an abrupt stop, stepped back into the stairwell and out of sight. An annoyed Mousse was quick to tell her that they weren’t doing anything. Akane scowled when she asked them why not only for her to shake her head and tell them about the rumor that L was in the market. Akane and Mousse jumped to their feet hoping to find him so that they could strike back at Cupid.

Akane decided to take Mousse to get a new prescription for his glasses. On there way they cam across p-chan. It was as she picked him up that Ryoga noticed she was with Mousse. The Amazon boy eyed the piglet curiously. P-chan returned the look. Misinterpreting Mousse’s look, Akane chuckled and explained who P-chan was. Mousse told her that he had seen her pet before, and then turn back to the conversation they were having before Ryoga’s arrival. He asked her if she had seen Ranma and Akane answered no. P-chan caught an odd, almost nervous look from her that Mousse missed as she led him to the glasses store. Still in Akane’s arms, P-chan looked between Akane and Mousse in confusion.

As Akane looked through the display for a frame that might be good for Mousse, Mousse discreetly told Mousse that this was all Cupid’s fault. As Akane had Mousse try on various glasses his only thought was where was Ranma not knowing that Akane hadn’t told him. Behind them, P-chan continued to sit, puzzled by the whole situation. However, one thing was sure; he did not like how familiar the two were being. As he continued to watch them talk with the clerk, he grew ever more concerned as Akane continued to smile happily in Mousse’s direction.

Since they all expressed a desire to aid in his investigation L invited Kuno, Kodachi, Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Soun, Genma, Nabiki, Kasumi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Mousse, Cologne, and Tofu to a high rise building. He met with Cologne first figuring it was best to meet with her before the others.

Those first meeting the man paused in some wonderment, particularly noting his odd sitting posture. However, this lasted only a moment before they all began to take seats. Though he still had doubts Ranma confirmed to Nabiki the only one aware that Trista was there that he was the man he met. L introduced himself as Ryuzaki and Kuno was the first to express gis doubt that L was who he claimed he was. L confirmed who he was, but also eased there doubts stated that even if he wasn’t he was at least speaking on behalf of L.

L agreed to allow them to help him, but he didn’t sugar coat the fact that fact that they were all still suspects, though he didn’t reveal his exact suspects. Nabiki kept her face neutral at this revelation. With that he laid down what he had deduced so far noting. L eyed each member of the group in turn, pausing particularly on Kasumi who was all smiles and seemed absolutely riveted on the conversation.

The first was that there were Two Cupids. Many repeated in surprise. Nabiki in particular could not help but frown at this revelation. Much to Nabiki’s annoyance he explained how Kasumi clued him in on how Cupid needs a name and face to affect you. As he was talking the second Cupid revealed themselves on Cupid’s arrow. The others wanted to rush to put a stop to it, but L protested that it was to dangerous to intervene the others rushed. The second Cupid introduced themselves as the real Cupid telling L that they would offer him a gift of their benevolence.

When the people gathered at the station started trying to batter there way in L called to have all broadcasts cut realizing that Cupid was still affecting them. With nothing else to to Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse, Akane, Shampoo Ukyo, Kodachi and Tatewaki went to the building to do what they could. Even Soun elbowed Genma and the pair joined in as well. Before they left L told them to everything that Cupid provided. Kasumi called out to them to be careful while beside her, Nabiki simply crossed her arms, a frown firmly locked on her face.

When L received a letter from Cupid he once more gathered with the various residents of Nerima to tell them what had happened. He also informed them of his theory that the Cupid they knew from before was in fact two people. There were various degrees of surprise at hearing this. Later he played them an audio of not only him denying Cupid’s request, but a recording of the second Cupid denying the new ones legitimacy. After hearing it several were shifting into various disquieted positions and expressions. He asked them to stay at the building. They had come and gone numerous times and might be in danger as they could have been seen. The various Nerima residents looked at each other in consideration before Cologne took the initiative on behalf of herself, Shampoo and Mousse. This got the others to agree as well. He had Watari prepare them rooms as they waited for the official broadcast.

As expected it didn’t long for the worshipers of the third Cupid to find L’s building, with the more bold individuals shoving or otherwise attacking the other shutters in futility. Akane started to freak out a little when L told them they might be there for at least a week, which his assurance that it might be longer did nothing to calm her down. Nabiki just pulled out a book happy that she had brought reading material while Kasumi asked him if his divide would work.

When Watari told everyone that he laid refreshments in the cafeteria Mousse started asked Shampoo if she would like something only to be quickly told no before he could finish. This instantly caused Akane to glare at Shampoo from across the table. When Akane commented her relationship with Tofu Shampoo jumped to her feet furious at Akane accusing her of being unfaithful.

Akane jumped to her feet as well when Shampoo called her out on her numerous boyfriends. She started to deny it only for Shampoo to remind her of Kirin and Toma. Akane twitched at the mention of the two princes, pointing out that she had been kidnapped. Shampoo shot back, circling the table to confront Akane more directly and asked about Ryoga. Akane called Shampoo out stating that it was her who tricked Ryoga into dating her, only for her to to reply that the two seemed like lovers given how close the two were.

Akane practically started screaming and when Kuno tried to calm the two down they both clocked him sending him into the wall unconscious. Tofu and Mousse both took up the charge, quickly rushing in, Tofu to Shampoo, Mousse to Akane to separate the pair. Akane rushed to the bathroom to be by herself finding Mousse waiting for her when she came out. Seeing that she was going to be okay Mousse tried to go check up on Shampoo, Akane tried to stop him telling him that she wasn’t worth it. Akane begged Mousse to tell her why he was so obsessed with Shampoo.

Mousse explained that his mother what the one who initially brought up the topic of Mousse proposing to Shampoo. She doesn’t know about Shampoo’s rejections as he embellished things when he told her. Akane cut him off when he started talking about how would eventually accept his love she would people don’t change. this caused Mousse to call Akane a hypocrite given the fact she was still with Ranma. Akane stopped arguing. However Mousse decided that Shampoo would be fine for awhile so he could stay with Akane.

The protesters began bombing their way in. Cologne instructed the group to keep them from getting any further up as she dove into the fray, effortlessly disabling three men with but a touch. Shampoo and Mousse followed in just after. Ranma and the others were just finished dealing with those that slipped by when another explosion, further away, could be heard. Genma, Soun, Akane and Ryoga left to deal with that. The protesters began throwing Molotov cocktails and while they were quickly ablr to put out the fires they still activated the sprinklers. Seeing Ryoga transform into a piglet Akane let out a blood curdling yell of shear outrage upon realizing that he was p-chan that echoed through the building.

It was many hours later, deep into the night, when L finally gave the occupants of the building the go ahead to exit feeling it was safe to let them go back home. Ryoga opted to stay behind along with Ranma who realizing that Akane had figured out he knew chose not to risk it, but the Tendo family and Genma did return home. Nabiki who was ready to get to bed told Akane who was still muttering to her self about killing the two to get over it. Akane asked if she knew, and while she didn’t she did see it as a big deal so just told Akane to keep her complaining to a dull roar. Akane muttered unintelligibly before entering her room and slamming the door closed.

Akane was waiting for when he returned and after he confirmed that he knew about Ryoga she asked him why simply but forcefully. Ranma had been thinking about that in fact Cologne had asked him the same thing. When he answered she correctly identified his excuses and tore them away with ease as they were excuses. While Ranma realized what Colgne was doing unfortunately it caused him to fall back on old habits. So instead of just breaking down everything that had happened Ranma focused on Ryoga’s feeling on the matter. While it doesn't calm her, she knows it is the truth and begrudgingly accepts it even if she doesn't grasp it in that moment. With that, Akane marched back up the stairs after calling Ranma out for choosing Ryoga of all people over her.

The next day at lunch Akane was sitting by the window with her friends, looking down at the grounds below only half caring about either the conversation around her, or the sight before her. Around her, her friends were discussing the big reveal that Akane had likewise revealed to them. She was well past the point of having any interest in shielding Ryoga. No, he had burned up all of her good will in that regard. Still, feelings were a bit mixed.

Sayuri didn’t see what the big deal was as he didn’t do anything overt, while Yuki countered that tricking himself into her bed was overt enough, which Sayuri couldn’t really argue against. Akane paid the argument little mind, having already had it with herself. Instead she focused on outside where it appeared that Kuno had finally grasped the truth about Ranma’s curse. She watched as Kuno attempted to commit seppuku only for Ranma to start taunting Kuno until he could think about nothing but punishing him. Grabbing his bokken Kuno went on the attack, the Tanto apparently completely forgotten. Akane’s cold expression softened seeing that Ranma would rather Kuno hate him and try to get revenge. Shaking her head she told her friends she wanted to talk about something else.

With the school day coming to a close, Akane was on her way home, and as with other recent days, Ranma had chosen, wisely, to do so separately. Still, Akane’s fury had subsided substantially. As she pondered her life, she noticed Mousse waiting at a street corner ahead of her. Seeing him sent the usual mix of feelings off within her, but she also knew why he was likely here which just annoyed her. When he noticed her she asked him if he knew. For whatever reason, maybe it was so that Akane’s anger didn’t focus on him, maybe it was just another attempt to try and make himself appear better then Ranma, but he not only lied that he didn’t know but that he would have told her if he did.

Akane in her confusion didn’t know what to believe and just nodded in acceptance of his words. Mousse sensed she had no more words and simply escorted her home in silence. Wanting someone to talk to Akane went to Tofu’s clinic. Seeing her downcast look he asked her if she wanted some tea, but she declined. She was about to tell him about Ryoga only to stop herself and ask him what kind of person he thought Ranma was.

While current circumstances were probably tainting his view Tofu answered that while Ranma was abrasive at his core he means well. Akane agreed but couldn’t figure weather or not him rather hurting himself then see someone else seriously hurt was a good thing or not. Tofu asked Akane about Ryoga and she told him everything from him being p-chan to Ranma’s reasoning for not telling her. She asked him if she was wrong for thinking that Ranma should of told her, to which Tofu reflexively responded not at all.

As Akane started to trail off again Tofu figured out what she was trying to say. How can a trait that seems so positive make her feel so betrayed. Hanging his head Tofu told her that it wasn’t a black and white issue as even selflessness had its limits. It was then that Tofu realizing that he might have ruined Akane and Ranma’s relationship tried to back peddle, telling Akane that he was sure Ranma never intended to hurt her. Sadly the damage was done, and he could just hang his head at a loss for what to say. Akane thanked him and while he denied he did anything she admitted she just needed someone to sound off of.

After dinner wanting to be alone Akane excused herself and went to her room. She had calm down some since her talk with Dr Tofu, though while she was no longer furious at things still hadn’t gone back to normal. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something striking next to her window. It turned out to be Ryoga trying to get her attention throwing stones. It seemed he had finally gathered the courage to go an apologize to her. His antics ended up just infuriating her as she saw it as him trying to make excuses for himself. After calming herself down she told Ryoga to go away seeing him as just as bad as the other boys. Her anger renewed all Akane could do was bury her face in her pillow and let the emotions vent.