"It's Only Water"
CHAPTER 01
Apparently there is no sun in Seattle. -Pinky & the Brain
"Haven't you heard? Ranma's dead."
The boy blew at his bangs again, then just sighed and swiped at the clumps of hair with his hand when it did no good. He glanced at the woman beside him while doing so, then back at his food.
He twirled his chopsticks in his hand and rearranged his rice in silent white towers of safety. A few pieces tumbled off his sculpture and he ate them, pausing with his chopsticks in his mouth to stare at the lifeless windchime instead of the guest.
Nodoka ducked her head and adjusted her hair pin, unclasping it to pull the strands tighter before refasting it. She patted the locks to ensure their security, than pulled her head up, sitting straighter than before.
"I wasn't asking about Ranma. I said 'Did you ever hear from a Mister Saotome?'"
"We heard you just fine the first time. And like I said, 'not for years'." Nodoka turned her head to blink her eyes at the door to the kitchen.
"I had hoped ..."
Ryouga turned to stare at the strange guest again, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I don't think you've introduced yourself. How did you come to hear of Genma? That's who you're asking for isn't it?"
At the other end of the table, back to the kitchen hall, sat a young, thin thing with wild hair so ragged and dirty that it held no distinct shade. Small dark eyes stared slowly at Ryouga, thinking.
With clothes dressed more for begging than anything dignified, and a figure and facial fisque that matched, it was a wonder the being had been let inside and not just handed a few yen with directions to the bathhouse.
"Vagabond..." Ryouga thought in contempt. "Begger I bet he is. Trying to weasel his way some cash from that fat fool's old debts. Knows Genma's name second hand, I'd guess. He called him 'Mister Saotome'."
Ryouga glanced at Nodoka, then got up to remove the 'boy' from the house. Physically if nessesary.
The fanged boy's slow, steady movements had the stranger alert and staring with wide eyes like some prey before it's demise. Hibiki was two steps from grabbing the thin thing's throat when Nodoka spoke again.
"Ryouga you ... you can let him stay."
The lost boy glanced back at her, then stared down unblinking at the dirty guest. Tightening his bandana he demanded again, "Family?"
The stranger blinked, then looked at the table, wipping at a patch of dirt and sweat to reveal pale, fine skin beneath. "I ..." a pause, "I have none."
Nodoka waited silently. "If we could have a name please?" She smiled pleasantly enough and listened for an answer.
The stranger smiled in return and said, without the warmth "... you can call me Ranko."