For those not in the know:
kiai.
One day I began to think of the esoteric martial arts that people make up in Ranma 1/2 fan-fiction, which are usually not to be taken seriously. For the few that are, not many have a shelf life beyond a single encounter (and even then, chances are its execution and/or role is lackluster). So, I challenged myself to come up with something myself.
What I came up with is a school of martial arts centered on the kiai, since Ranma 1/2 is the kind of universe where something seemingly mundane can turn out supernatural results. The idea is that the practitioners use the kiai to empower themselves when they fight, in all sorts of ways. They can either use it sparingly, when taking choice actions (beginner stuff), or in concert with all of their movements (mastery level). It's not a technique that is copyable as experienced, because the kiai not only needs to be in harmony with the actions taken, but with the body performing said actions. It requires an extreme discipline in self-awareness, not only because the body is composed of different parts with different functions, but because the body is not a static thing, and various changes (including injury) have to be taken into account. The only exception to that is when the kiai is projected as a direct attack (to stun, confuse, intimidate, nauseate, et cetera), as opposed to the passive role of self-augmentation.
As for the story idea, now that I've gotten that out of the way...
The family who practices this style of martial arts has recently found a good use for it outside of the usual venue: idoldom. Not only are they ready and receptive for dance, choreography and performances on stage, but their use of the kiai makes them nigh-unrivaled singers as well. This was demonstrated by the youngest of their latest generation, a girl in her early twenties whose popularity hasn't waned significantly since she debuted in her mid-teens.
Since she is literally the first of her kind (regarding how she had applied what she had learned from her family's style), her family roots in martial arts are still very strong. As such, she seeks out or participates in martial arts challenges when she is able to. This eventually leads her to challenging the Tendo dojo, where she defeats Soun and/or Genma and walks away with the dojo's sign. A rematch is scheduled, which Ranma participates in because Akane has qualms about fighting a girl that she idolizes while he could care less. Except not entirely, since Akane
does care, so he fights as a girl (his weaker half) to try and mitigate his damage potential, confident that it won't affect his victory potential. (And maybe he feels better about striking a girl if he's not a guy?)
Ranma loses, of course. Between the denunciations from Soun and Genma, embarrassing comments from Nabiki (for losing to a girly idol), half-hearted and awkward sympathy from Akane, sword-fidgeting from his mother, humiliating rumors, and his own pride, he once again goes to ridiculous lengths to redeem himself. Due to choice comments made by Nabiki and the girl who had defeated him (nothing specific worth mentioning here, since said comments would likely be context-specific), he's less unsure and/or opposed about becoming an idol himself. The plan would be to get close to her and figure out her style, so he can defeat her at her own game.
As expected, his rise in popularity and various obligations as an idol is overwhelming, much more mentally than physically. On top of that, on the few occasions where he gets to spend any appreciable time with the girl that had defeated him, she takes on the role of an onee-chan (older sister) and sincerely helps him out, which is a source of conflict for why he finds the time to be with her in the first place. By the time Ranma figures out how the girl's style works, he realizes that -- either intentionally or unintentionally -- she had been guiding him using the basis of her martial arts style all along, which causes further inner conflict.
The story could end in one of many ways, partly because there are a number of elements that are interchangeable, so I feel inclined to leave it open. For instance, does Ranma like or dislike being an idol? What kind of forces (such as those from home, his friends/acquaintances/peers, fans, et cetera) are at work, either for or against him remaining an idol? Is the girl aware or unaware of what Ranma is trying to do? Was there an ulterior motive behind the girl's help? In what way, and to which extent, has being a female idol affected Ranma? Among other things, I'm sure.
So, for better or worse, there you have it.