Hotaru smiled in a sultrily manner and slowly moved toward Ranma, not unlike how like how a lioness would stalk an especially plump looking gazelle. Slowly, she placed her hand on his chest, pressing down to still him. "I said I want you to prove it."

Ranma stepped back away from her as if she were brandishing some deadly weapon. Oh god. This isn't good. This is so not good. I can't, I just can't.

Hotaru giggled, and walked toward him. She was being slow and sensual, her movements bring attention to her waist and hips. As she moved, she slowly unbuttoned her top, bringing attention to her small but pert breasts. Once again she placed her hand on his chest.

She looked him deeply in the eyes and spoke. Her voice was rough and uncertain and her eyes held both a hunger and a sadness. "Please Ranma. Prove to me that I'm beautiful. Please."

Ranma didn't like this. Oh not one bit. For one, he was running out of roof. Second, he just knew that at least one his of his fiancées would be showing up any moment now. Lastly, he just didn't think that there was anything to prove. She was beautiful for who she was. No amount of sex could ever prove that. Wait! That might work. Now, just how would he tell it to her.

Ranma gulped. "Hotaru... I'm not going to."

Hotaru's head dropped, and she just let herself drop to the roof. Ranma's heart went out to her as he heard her sob lightly.

"Hotaru, it's not your body that makes ya beautiful... well it's a nice one though… err… what I'm trying to say is..."

Hotaru looked up at him through her tears and smiled. It was the tired, weary smile of one who had been through far too much. It made him wince. A girl like Hotaru should never have a smile like that.

Hotaru sighed and spoke, "What are you trying to say Ranma?"

Ranma felt a bit nervious. He hated being in the spotlight, but he had to finish. "Hotaru, yer really pretty but that doesn't make ya beautiful... ok, it does but... err... what I mean is that you're a good person. That's what makes you really beautiful. If we did it, it wouldn't prove nothin' cause you're already you! Ya see?"

Once again Hotaru sighed. She motioned for him to sit near her. While reluctant, Ranma eventually lowered himself to the roof across from her. Once he sat down Hotaru spoke.

Her voice was honest and clear. He could tell that she wanted him to know a truth that she had hoped to keep hidden. She was bearing her soul to him. "Ranma, I'm sorry. I should not have done that. I was not being honest with you. The reason that I want you is not to prove that I'm beautiful. It's much more than that."

Ranma nodded. He did not like how things were going, but at least she was no longer trying to jump his bones. Well, at least not as aggressively.

Hotaru continued to speak, her voice becoming more and more emotional as she spoke. "Ranma, the real reason I asked you is because I want to know what making love is like before I have a child. I can't remember my first time. I want to know what its like! Why should I be denied that experience? Why can't I know love, to be close to another human being!?"

Hotaru began to choke up, and her eyes began to flood with heavy tears. "Besides, I just want I want one happy memory. I don't think I'll be able to go through with an abortion. I'm going to keep the baby, Ranma, and once he is born, I want to be able to look at my child, no, our child and say he is not a mistake! Despite whatever choice we make between ourselves after this, I want to be able to look at our baby and say that he was a product of honest emotion, and not just our little mistake! Please, Ranma."

Ranma just stood rooted in place. How do you react to something this? Deep down he felt she was right. He had already taken so much from her. Her virginity, and soon her reputation. Ranma wondered what to do. To cheat on his fiancées would be dishonorable, but he already had.

Ranma looked side to side for a moment. He was scanning the horizon. He could let no one know. If they found out, then both he and Hotaru would be in a whole world of shit. Sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right, consequences be damned.

"Alright, I'll do it."

Ranma stared into the water that he was submerged in. The heat of the bath calmed him, helped him think, not that he had any trouble doing that. He had much to think about.

This had been without a doubt, the most messed up, life altering day since that faithful visit to Jusenkyo. He was going to be a father. Him, a father. This was going to throw his life into a whole now level of disorder. A level which he could only imagine with dread.

He had sex with the girl. Not like before, an innocent mistake that had dishonored them both, but real consensual sex. It had been nice. Really, really nice, but was it worth all this?

His life was about to get worse. What kind of father could he be? The only example he had was his Old Man, an object lesson of how not to raise a child. Would he end up a cowardly shell of a man like Genma?

No, he would never be like his father! He would do the right thing. But what was the right thing? He knew that it would never be right for him to leave Hotaru to face the music alone. He should be there beside her to take responsibility for his action. On the same note his was afraid.

At times he could barely keep himself safe. Fighting off Ryouga, the Kunos, Mousse, Happousai, his Old Man, and every other would be fiancée, challenger, and crazy on the planet was not easy. How the hell would he defend Hotaru and their child?

At least Akane was a martial artist. While she was light years from his level, she was still in the world's top 1. She could defend herself to a point. Hotaru on the other hand was just a sickly but otherwise normal girl, and their child would be completely helpless.

Was it right for him to drag Hotaru and their child into his world? Beyond that was honor, Saotome family honor and the honor of the girls to whom he was engaged. He also was concerned about them. What about their feelings, their honor? He would have to choose. Something he had hoped to hold off as long as possible. Unfortunately it seemed that Kami-sama had just removed that final option.

He was confused and needed an opinion. Someone to talk to. Almost everyone he knew was biased, clueless, or just didn't care. Oh hell, he decided that he would talk to his mom. She might be a crazy, but sadly enough she was both the most level headed and honorable person he knew.

Sad thing, that.

Hotaru beamed as she opened her front door. She had been reliving the experience her entire trip home. So that was what making love was like. What it was like to be with another person. To share with them the most intimate of bonds possible, to not be alone and rejected.

Hotaru signed longingly. It was like nothing she had ever done before. He didn't reject her. He treated her gently and with respect. He was kind, honest, and cute. Was this emotion she felt love? If it was love, then what kind. Was this the kind of puppy love that Minako and Makoto felt for every cute boy on the street, or was it something more?

Hotaru cleared her mind. It would not do to stand in the door all day. She walked into the house, headed toward the bath. She was a mess, and needed to clean up.

"Hello Hotaru-chan," said Michiru from the kitchen. Hotaru had been so lost her own thoughts that she had not seen her.

Hotaru smiled brightly at her mother figure. "Hello Michiru-mama."

Michiru smiled at her daughter in return. It was obvious that she was happy to see Hotaru in higher spirits. "So Hotaru, how was to trip?"

Hotaru blushed and smiled coyly, "It was fun. Very eventful. Haruka-papa would have loved it. There were just so many martial artists."

Michiru nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Haruka would have loved it, but I still don't understand why you were so insistent to go there in the first place."

"Besides papa and me, none of the Senshi are really able to hold their own in hand to hand combat. I wanted to see if any of the martial artists there might be willing to help us."

Michiru scowled. "You didn't tell any of them you were Sailor Saturn, did you?"

"No," she replied, "Of course not."

Michiru nodded. "Alright. That was a very good idea, though I don't understand why you were so hellbent on going there on your own."

Hotaru fought a blush. Damn it. "Oh mama, I'm getting older now! I'm about to turn sixteen! There are just some things you want to do on your own when you turn my age."

Michiru nodded knowingly, after all, she was only twenty. She should understand. "Hotaru, I understand. It's just that it is so hard letting go. I remember you when you were still a baby. They say 'they grow up fast', but I don't think anyone has ever seen their baby go from infant to teenager in three years!"

Hotaru groaned internally. She loved her mama very much but sometimes she could be too much. Oh well, she should have some sympathy. She would be going through the same experience in about a decade and a half.

"Michiru-mama, I would like to take a bath now. I'll tell you all about my trip", sans a few important details, "once I'm done my bath! Okay?"

Michiru nodded. "Okay, Hotaru. Take your bath and then you can tell me all about your trip to Nerima."

Hotaru smiled. That would give her time to make something up. She turned around to walk up the steps, and ran straight into Setsuna.

"Oh, excuse me Setsuna-mama!"

Setsuna looked down on Hotaru. The look in her eyes could only be described as 'knowing'. It freaked Hotaru out. "Hello Hotaru. Sorry to be in you way."

Hotaru gulped and ran up stairs to take her bath.

Michiru blinked. For a moment Hotaru has seemed so content, so happy, but Setsuna did something to put her on edge.

Setsuna smiled coyly and looked up the stairs. "Ah, they grow up so fast... "

Michiru was confused. She knew that Setsuna was not talking about Hotaru's accelerated growth, so what could it be. "What do you mean by that?" she inquired.

Setsuna laughed deeply. "You couldn't see it on her face? Oh well, I guess its one of those things that comes with age."

Michiru scowled, what did Setsuna mean? "What are you talking about?"

Setsuna shook her head. "It looks to me like our little Hotaru-chan just got laid."

Michiru froze like a deer in headlights. Her little Hotaru-chan, the little baby she held in her arms just three years ago having sex? She couldn't believe it, she wouldn't. But now she looked back on it, she did recognize that smile...

Ranma looked out the bathroom door to see if the coast was clear. He had cheated and used the Umisenken the sneak into the house undetected. While he could understand, and agree, with his father sealing the uncompromisingly deadly Yamasenken, he saw no point in keeping a useful and comparatively harmless set of stealth techniques sealed. Besides, the Umisenken invisibility technique must have saved his ass at least a dozen times.

Seeing that th coast clear Ranma snuck out of the bathroom. He slowly walked toward his room. I need to study, don't need to deal with Akane...

"Ranma!"

Shit.

Akane slowly stomped toward Ranma, she did not sound happy "Who was that girl, and what were you doing. Well Ranma?"

Oh, no one in particular Akane, just the mother of my child. Oh, and we were fucking like a a pair of bunnies. Yeah, as if. He wasn't stupid, nor suicidal enough to tell her the truth. Time to bullshit. "Oh, she was just a friend."

Akane twitched. "Just a friend? Like Ukyo is 'just a friend'?" Ranma winced as she saw Akane's fist clench. Think fast Saotome!

Ranma groaned. "Come on Akane! It's not like that!" well, it was actually, his mind added. "She is just someone I met at school!"

"She looked a little young to be a college student," Akane hissed.

"She was visiting," Ranma replied. "She isn't a student."

Akane blue rage filled Battle aura sprung to full glow. In a voice quivering with 'righteous anger' she hissed, "Great Ranma, now you hitting on young girls?" and with a cry of "Ranma you pervert!" she decked him, sending him into the back wall. Satisfied with the effect, Akane turned around and stomped down the steps in a huff.

With an aggravated growl Ranma pulled himself from the cracked plaster and dented drywall that was once part of the hallway. He lightly chucked to himself. This was ironically enough, the first time he ever actually deserved it for 'being a pervert'.

With a shrug, Ranma walked down the stairs. He was almost immediately confronted by his Old Man and Mr. Tendo. Time for the moronic duo double team!

"Ranma! How dare you cheat on my little girl!" screamed Soun.

"Ranma you ungrateful boy! Prove you honor and marry Akane!"

Ranma was in no mood for this. His life was going to hell, he had no idea of how to properly handle this, and the absolute last thing he needed to deal with was this pair of mental midgets.

If to make matters worse, a cry of "Swetto!" resounded through the halls and a bucket full of water later, Happousai was firmly attached to Onna-Ranma's torso.

The aged pervert gave her ample bosom a firm squeeze and gleefully commented, "Well now Ranma! I think your still developing! They just keep getting bigger!"

Ranma twitched. She hated her life. She hated this body. She hated the situations in which she had been placed thanks to her idiot old man, and she really hated this perverted old master and his wandering hands.

Ranma pulled back her hand to punch of old pervert, but was suddenly struck with an idea. It was cruel, it was sadistic, and it was divine retribution.

Through grinding teeth she called up her most saccharine voice. "Oh, Happy..."

Happousai looked up, from his place, nestled in her cleavage. "Yes Ranma?"

Ranma detached the old pervert from her chest and held him at arms length. "Lets you and I make a deal."

Happousai smiled brightly, his gears obviously turning, "What kind of deal..."

Ranma smirked at look at her Old Man and Mr. Tendo. Both of whom were being overcome with visible amounts of dread. "I'll pose in a bra for you, but under one condition..."

Happousai jumped down from her arms as stood up as tall as he could. "Anything! I'll do anything you ask!"

In a calm, horrified voice Genma whispered, "Son, what are you doing?"

She glanced toward Soun and Genma, smiling like a shark. "I think that my Old Man and Tendo-san have been growing lax in their skills."

Happousai nodded sadly, "Your right, they're nothing compared to what they were like in their prime." he suddenly burst into tears and continued, "Oh, what did I do to deserve such weak, useless disciples as them!"

Ranma smiled even brighter at this reaction. "They don't have to be. They have been getting lax on their training. They have become fat and happy."

Happousai smacked his fist into his hand, "Of course! It just can't do for two masters of the Anything Goes style to become weak and fat! For the good of the school this disgrace must be corrected! What these two idiots need is a good training trip!"

Both Genma and Soun started to back up, their faces masks of horror and silent dread.

"Not only that," continued Ranma, "But you have twelve years of lost time to make up for! They also need discipline! They can't even stand up to you when your drunk, and they show you no respect! What self respecting master could ever allow behavior like that?"

The aged pervert nodded, "Ranma my boy, your right! I'll make this trip the best ever!" turning toward his students, he continued, "If you thought your trips before were bad, they were just warm-ups for this one!"

His voice shaking, Genma turned to his son turned daughter, tears in his eyes. He looked like a man condemned. "Why Ranma? Why are you doing this to me? What monstrous sin have I done that makes me deserve this horrible fate?" While Genma spoke Soun sat on his knees crying full blow about how he was never going to see his little girls again.

"Oh, quit bitching you two!" cried Happousai. "We're leaving tomorrow!"

Ranma quickly slipped out of the house. That had to have been the most blatantly cruel thing he had done in all of his 18 years of life. He knew it was wrong on so many levels, but then why did it feel so right? Paybacks a bitch, ain't it? At least is would keep them out of his hair long enough to sort this out.

Hotaru sighed in pleasure as she slipped into the tub. The hot water just washed away all of aches and pains just leaving her in a blissful state of utter contentment.

She felt more in control, more adult. While she was still afraid, she was no longer as confused. At least she could tell herself that she was responsible for the consequences of her actions, and was not just an innocent victim of a stupid mistake. She was no longer just a spectator in her fate. She was a participant.

She knew that this wouldn't remove the problems at hand. She was going to be a teen mother, something not exactly something accepted by society. She could kiss her public image good bye, but if that is what it takes than it wouldn't be much of a loss. Besides, it wasn't like her public face was anything to be proud of.

She had come to at least one important decision. She was keeping the baby, consequences be damned. She would not live up to her reputation. She was not just a soulless killer, like the other Senshi sometimes feared she could become. She was a human being, goddamn it! She could love, she could hate, and her only choice didn't have to be death. She was not going to kill her child just because it happened to be convenient thing to do.

As she soaked, he mind drifted to Ranma. He was so amazing to her. So unlike the ignorant, close minded boys at her school. He was willing to ignore her reputation and see the real her. He envied her powers too. While he did not know the price, she was flattered. He had called them a gift. He had also called her beautiful, not cute, but beautiful! Did he really think she was that kind of girl, beautiful and gifted?

She giggled to herself. Chibi-Usa, and the other Inners Senshi, especially Makoto and Minako would be so jealous! Here they are fawning over every cute guy they see with no luck, but she got such a sweetie by act of fate! He was so handsome, so kind, and so skilled. A naughty smile crossed her face. Oh yes, he was very skilled...

Jokes aside, his skill level was disturbing to her. He could jump tall building with ease and she still shuddered when she remembered that mailbox. How what it possible for a normal human being to do that? Was he really just a powerful martial artist, or something more? It scared her, while at the same time excited her. The danger of the unknown.

His curse also interested her. Being raised by Haruka and Michiru must have had some effect on her, made her more open minded. While she knew damn well that she liked boys, she had to admit, having a lover that was both could lead to some very... interesting experiments.

She sighed and looked down. What about him? How would this affect his life, their child's life. Would he really be willing to settle down with a girl he'd just really met? And what if the things he said were true? Was he willing to commit himself to the chaos of her life?

It was killing him. She could tell that it was killing him. The way he spoke, acted when he talked. His life was slowly tearing his apart. Was she willing to further entrap him, to throw yet another bucket of dirt on his grave? No! She hoped that he would choose her, but she would not force him. She did not want to force him. She wanted him to choose on his own.

They had agreed to meet tomorrow night, to see if either had come up with something. She hoped he did.

As Hotaru thought about the future of her life, Michiru snuck into the room. Was their any proof, and evidence? She would never confront Hotaru on just speculation. She had to know.

She shifted through Hotaru's clothing for only a moment before she felt something. Slimy and sticky. He lifted the article of clothing. It was Hotaru's panties.

She stiffened up as she looked at the soiled silk underclothing. The violet cloth was moist and stained white. The most simple and damning piece of evidence one could find.

She slowly creepy out the door holding the piece of clothing. Her lip lifted into a dull twitch when she heard the closing of the door downstairs. Haruka was home. Oh, when her little girl got out of the bath they were going to have a very, very long talk about this.

The lost boy smiled. He saw him, the cause of his suffering, the creator of his torment, and the only person who could give him a run for his money. It was time for retribution, time to cause him pain, time to enjoy the Art in its rawest, most visceral form. With a joyful rage, Ryouga bound into the air, intent of getting a good fight out of his rival. "Saotome Ranma, prepare to die!"

Ranma sighed and jumped to the side, while the fence that he was running across was shredded by the force of the lost boy's blow. Hibiki Ryouga snarled and turned to he rival, he eyes promising death.

"Hey Ryouga, could we please do this later? I really got a lot on my mind."

Ryouga roared and anger and swung at him, "Ranma! Because of you I've seen hell!"

Ranma glared at him. "Ryouga! Give me a break! This is important! I'll fight you, but not now. Make an honorable challenge, or attack me in a few days, but not right now!"

Ryouga blinked and lowered his umbrella. Ranma never turned down their one of fights. This just wasn't part of the game! Usually he would attack, Ranma would bitch that he didn't want a fight, call him P-chan, and then they would rumble. With just a touch of concern in his voice for his rival and sometimes friend, Ryouga said, "Hey, Ranma? You okay?"

Ranma shook his head, "No. I'm not okay. I'm very, very far from okay."

Ryouga gawked for a moment. This was not the same aggravating egotist he usually fought, this Ranma was depressed and confused. Ranma was acting more like him then he did! "What is it?"

Ranma just looked at him. It was as if he was thinking, trying to come to a choice. "Ryouga. I want you to give me you word as a martial artist and a man that you will not attack me or repeat anything I'm about to say."

Ryouga nodded.

"Also, If you go back on your word, I will no longer be honor bound to keep your secret safe. I will tell Akane about P-chan. Do you understand me?"

Ryouga stared at Ranma. Was the secret that big? What could it be? He wanted to know, and he was damn well going to follow his word. He did not want a case of death by Tendo. "Ok, I give you my word."

Ranma nodded and motioned for Ryouga to follow him. He bound up onto the roof of a nearby office building and leaned back ageist a wall. He looked up to his rival with tired eyes. "Ryouga, I cheated on Akane. I had sex with another girl."

Ryouga clenched his fist. Mustn't kill! Mustn't kill! Mustn't kill! Ryouga twitched, trying to keep his rage in check, "Go on, Saotome..."

Ranma sighed, "That ain't the half of it... she's pregnant man, she's gonna have my kid!"

Ryouga twitched again. This self control thing was not all it was cracked up to be, but at least he knew why Ranma would tell his secret. If Ryouga talked, then Ranma would talk, then he would be in the grave right next to Ranma's. "What do you plan on doing about this, you pervert?"

Ranma looked up toward Ryouga, "Hey man, it's not what you think. It was not my fault, at least it wasn't when the mess got started."

Ryouga was unconvinced, "You better explain this one good Saotome, or I'll kill you myself."

Ranma shook his head. "Yep, thats the Ryouga I know." He leaned back then began, "It started about two months ago..."

Hotaru smiled as she walked down the steps. Her smiled faded as she saw her parent-figures standing at the bottom of the steps. It was obvious that they were angry about something.

"Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, what's wrong?" she inquired.

Without missing a beat Haruka spoke. "Hotaru, who is the boy?" she demanded.

Hotaru gulped. "Papa, there is not a boy!"

Haruka growled, and produced a pair of soiled panties. "Who is the boy?"

Hotaru eyes almost bugged out of her head. The jig was up.

"Oh, fuck..."