Two umbrellas made their way down the streets of Nerima, side by side, one red and one black. Underneath those umbrellas was two males, one noticeably in his teenage years with black hair tied up in a pony-tail. The young male was wearing a deep red, sleeveless, chinese-style shirt with loose martial arts pants and slip on shoes. The other male was taller, and was obviously an adult, though the only reason he was considered a male at first glance even though he was wearing a black clak with the hood pulled up, was because the robes were tight in the torso which revealed a muscular form. In the mystery-mans gloved hand was a rope that lead out from the protective area of the umbrella and out into the rain where it ended at a giant, tied up, panda that was clearly knocked out cold.

"Where did you say this place was again Ranma? This fat pandas fur really sucks up water and is making him heavier to drag." The robed man spoke with a deep soothing voice that was heavily laced with amusement. He didn't actually feel much of a weight difference since he was a lot stronger than he looked, but he also hated staying silent for long periods of time.

The boy now known as Ranma looked over at the man and then fished out a slip of paper from his pocket with his free hand. "It says here that it should be around the corner, that's if pops directions are to be trusted that is." The boy sent a harsh glare over his shoulder but kept walking.

"What was the place called again? Ten-something right?" The man loved the rain, it always cheered him up despite how it usually brought everyone else down. So he was feeling extra talkative today. "Tendo, that's what it was, the Tendos. It's been a long time since I've been in the presence of another martial artist, aside from you and your father that is. I wonder if they have some nice tea."

"Please remember that we aren't staying long, only long enough to reject this farce and apologize before we leave again."

"Ah, but Ranma, you can't just be rude to them. Remember what I taught you in place of what you were learning from that, and pardon my language here, bastard of a father you have. Speaking of, when do you think he'll wake up? You did hit him pretty hard."

"Don't worry about that old fool, he's as stubborn as he is annoying. He'll be up and complaining to me about your presence again in an hour or two." Ranma was rather embarrassed about that. He hated his father, but he was still his father which meant he couldn't strangle the man for all of what he had been put through in life.

"Well it's almost time for your meditation for the day, so we'll at least stay the night if they offer. Honestly I'm hoping you'll stay for a while. Teaching you while in an actual dojo instead of in the woods would be a nice change of pace, although slower, it's the feel of the surroundings that really counts."

Ranma didn't really understand since he had never actually learned while in a dojo before, in the woods, in a park, in a lake, almost everywhere but a dojo. He was drawn out of his thinking when his traveling partner stopped and looked at a large double door.

"This is the place. Tendos place right? Not bad looking. I'd set up shop here if it was empty. Come on mister panda, Ranma, let's go have some fun eh?" Ranma couldn't see it but he could tell that the man was smiling widely. He hadn't spent a year with the man without getting to know him at least a little, even though he was still very much a mystery.

Ranma pushed open the double doors and lead the way in with the cloaked man and the panda following along, although the latter was still unconscious. "Hello? Is anybody here?" He called out and was soon greeted by a young woman with brown hair that was resting on her right shoulder.

"Yes? Who might you be?" The girl asked curiously, looking wearily at the cloaked man. She was always taught to be very weary of people who hide their faces. that and it was only common sense.

"Ah, I'm Ranma Saotome, this is Tatsuo, and this thing," Ranma gestured to the large knocked-out panda, "will require a lot more explanation. I believe my father sent word ahead of time about us stopping by?" The first name got immediate recognition since the family had just been talking about it not more than a few minutes ago.

"Oh my, it's a pleasure to meet you, Ranma. Where is your father, Genma? Was he not supposed to show up with you?"

Ranma gave a nervous chuckle and the hooded man, now revealed as Tatsuo, gave an amused snort. "That's another thing that needs to be explained. May we come in?"

"Of course, I'm Kasumi, everyone else is in the dining room. Please, follow me."

Ranma breathed a sigh of relief and Tatsuo just chuckled, dragging along the panda as he followed the pretty woman. Ranma followed closed by Tatsuo.

"Father, we have guests. Ranma is here with someone else and a rather soaked panda."

"A panda? Where's Genma?"

"Those two questions actually lead into each other." Tatsuo spoke over Kasumis shoulder, making her jump slightly, much to his amusement.

"And who are you? I don't recall Genma mentioning another person coming along with him."

"My name is Tatsuo, Information broker, mob boss, martial arts instructor." He smirked widely at their wide-eyed faces. "Don't worry your pretty little heads, I'm the good kind of martial arts instructor." He joked lightly, obviously not answering the question to the real eye opener of him being a mob boss.

"And what kind of mob boss are you?" A short brown-haired girl spoke up from her position. She was the more level-headed of the group, her younger sister always jumped to conclusions and was stubborn to the end, her older sister was always the forgiving and kind one, and her father was really just a big chicken.

"The good kind, I assure you." At her incredulous look he decided it would be better to explain. "I have a family, not in blood but in loyalty, me and this family of mine keeps the peace while making a profit off gambling, tournaments, things like that. We despise drug dealing and unnecessary violence. Basically we're unrestricted police who make good money on the side. I could go further into the discussion of it with you, but I believe this is beginning to get off track. Ranma, do you want to answer the mans question about your father? Perhaps a little demonstration?" He pulled on the rope until the panda was right next to him before turning it around to face the family, still in its knocked out state.

It was going to be a long night.