Disclaimer: The characters of Ranma ½ belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Other characters and items belong to their respective creators. The story is mine though, so I don't think it's too much to request that you ask permission before posting this elsewhere.

Twin Trouble by Lioconvoy

Chapter 14: Me Omiai

Ranma sat with his mother and Akane in a restaurant close to the train station. While the women looked at the menu, he scanned the room. No one seemed to be paying to much attention to them, so they were probably safe from his grandfather's agents. "Mother, what is going on?"

"Your grandfather thinks that you cross-dress to become 'Usagi Narita'. I don't know why, it's fairly obvious Usagi is a girl." Nodoka sighed. She wondered what the male Ranma looked like. Could he pull off looking like a girl when he was a man?

"Ranma wouldn't be able to pull off looking like Usagi. He's more muscular and handsome; he wouldn't be able to pull off Usagi's beauty even if we spent a year applying make-up." Akane blushed but at the same time she wondered if there was something wrong with her. She had only known Ranma for a little over a week and she was already head over heels in love with him. Before the cursed boy, the only man she had ever fallen for was Tofu-sempai, and she didn't fall for him so quickly.

"Oh the cursed Saotome charm. Poor Akane, I know what you're going through." Happy that Akane answered her unspoken question, Genma's ex-wife gave a devious smile. "One look and they steal your heart. Genma stole mine, his cousin stole my sister's and now my son has stolen yours."

"Does that mean Ninomiya-san is my aunt?" The boy turned girl knew there were more important things to talk about, like getting back to what his grandfather was up to, but since his mother mentioned her sister….

"You've met Hinako?" That took Nodoka by surprise. She thought her sister was still in Hokkaido. Hinako was here in Nerima? Then … did her father grab one of her children instead of Usagi? No, her father wasn't that far gone, he had his sights on her son; he wouldn't just grab just any girl that looked like she could be related.

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Goro entered the room where Usagi waited. He frowned. Usagi was beautiful; Genma had very weak genes for his boy to look like this. "My name is Goro Narita. I'm sure your father has never mentioned me, but I am your grandfather. Soon Ryozo and his son will be here. Usagi, You will like Ryozo's boy I'm told he's a handsome young man."

Noriko start crying. Her parents told her that her grandfather was dead. Getting up she hugged the old man. "I'm sorry for lying, my name is Noriko. I've always wanted to meet you."

The girl's reaction caught the old man by surprise. He didn't think Nodoka's daughter would care for him. From the hug though there could be no doubt, this child was a girl. That fat fool had his son go through a sex change just to hide from him? How far was Genma willing to go to escape him, how many names did this child have to avoid him?

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Nodoka shook her head, now she was worried. What would happen if her father encountered one of her sister's children? "So, how is my sister?"

"She's our new principal." So Ranma was right. The principal was his aunt. What was his mother's pause for though?

"She's really strict, but all of her rules seem fair." Akane thought it was strange the principal was so interested in Usagi.

"As much as she'd like to deny it, Hinako got her strict nature from our father; her fairness comes from our mother. My father has never been exactly fair, and since our mother died he hasn't been exactly sane. We will be taking advantage of that insanity to create Usagi's identity." Nodoka frowned. With his curse Ranma had no chance at a normal life, however given he had the ability to stay in his cursed form 'Usagi" could. It wasn't that she wanted another daughter instead of her son, but she wanted what was best for her child. Still, since Ranma and Akane were together already she hoped her child wouldn't take the easy road of becoming Usagi.

"Why do I need a separate identity for my cursed form?" He had been wondering about that since his mother referred to Usagi and Ranma as separate individuals.

"You don't, however it will be easier explaining things to others if they think you're two separate people. You can say that the reason You can say Ranma doesn't attend school because he's training. I know it seems complex, but your father and I think it's the best way to deal with things the way they are." Putting a smile back on her face, Genma's ex-wife was happy to have her second child back in her life. Now what should they talk about. She didn't exactly want to talk about her child's love life in front of Akane. She was also a little curious just how female her child was at the moment. Natsume mentioned Kasumi put her through 'training', but she very much doubted Kasumi's 'training' was entirely responsible for Usagi's behavior.

"Why does Usagi's grandfather want her for an Omiai?" Akane still didn't know the answer to that question. Usagi's mother mentioned that Mr. Narita was crazy, but even crazy people needed reasons to do things, right? Kuno was insane and he attacked Usagi because of what Natsume did to him the year prior.

"My father doesn't approve of families who practice the sword. Because the Tendo School of Anything Goes includes sword techniques, he does not approve of Genma's arrangement and decided to make one of his own." Usagi's mother sighed again; when Hinako married Kenji, whose family practiced swordsmanship, she was disowned. "He believes that he can embarrass Genma by engaging Usagi with the son of the Hibiki school of Saikyō-Ryū."

"HIBIKI!" Ranma couldn't believe his ears. He was supposed to be arranged to Ryoga? The redhead shook his head as thoughts of him and Ryoga together crept into his head. It was bad enough Akane and Nabiki mentioned they looked like a couple.

"I take it you know him Usagi? Is he cute?" Nodoka hoped her daughter could tell she was teasing, but Usagi's response might help her to understand her earlier question. How female was Usagi.

"Mother!"

"Ryoga's not as good looking as Ranma, but he's not that bad." Usagi's face turned as red as her hair, Akane couldn't help but wonder if Usagi knew how her body was reacting to the comments. Ryoga was Ranma's best friend, did those feelings of friendship transform into something else when he was a she?

"Can we please change the subject?" The youngest Saotome mumbled looking down on himself… herself. As much as he… she didn't like it, her body did have some feelings for Ryoga, she couldn't totally deny it. Her face probably gave it away to her mother and Akane. Why did she like Ryoga, he was just a friend. When she had thought Ryoga liked her she was disgusted, but that was when she was a guy all the time. Now, knowing that Ryoga liked 'Usagi' she wasn't as uncomfortable. This wasn't who she truly was, yes, right now her body was female, but she was born Ranma Saotome, not Usagi Narita.

"Of course we can." After seeing her child's reaction, Nodoka was now sure Ranma right now was fully female; emotions as well as body. The poor child, there must be so much confusion.

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Goro led his granddaughter to the room where Ryozo and his son were waiting. It had taken him some time to calm poor Noriko down. She was a very emotional girl. Sitting her across from the boy she was to be betrothed to, he smiled. Soon he would embarrass Genma as he had embarrassed him.

Ryoga looked at the girl in front of him, he knew she wasn't Ranma. Usagi was a redhead, and her hair was black. Taking a quick look at her chest then looking back at her face, he noticed she was bigger than Usagi too. "Noriko?"

"Ryoga you're going to be my fiancé?" People were supposed be serious for these things right? Noriko couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. Ryoga was strong, handsome, and smart; she wouldn't mind being engaged to him. Her grandfather was very wise.

"Goro! This is not Genma's child; what are you trying to pull?" Ryozo was expecting to see a cross-dressed boy, but he was quite sure the person across from his son was a girl. His old friend had two children Ranma and Natsume, this girl was neither.

"Who's Genma? My father is Kenji." The older twin giggled. Her father's name was actually the same as the Usagi's from Sailor Moon. Maybe that's why her grandfather thought she was named Usagi.

Kenji? The Narita patriarch eyes widened. Noriko was Hinako's daughter. Genma was far cleverer then he realized, the deception was more complex than he could ever know. He had to salvage this, even if it meant admitting his other shame. "Genma is your uncle, my child. Ryozo, Noriko is the eldest daughter of my second child Hinako."

"Is this true?" Ryoga's father could believe his ears. Goro was accepting Kenji's daughter as his family? This was not good; his son might accept this arrangement.

"Yes, but I'm only older than Miaka by two minutes. I also have an older brother named Natsume, a younger sister named Nodoka, and a younger brother named Kenshin. Natsume's really…"

"Thank you, Noriko that is enough." She wasn't the brightest of children. Still it told him he had five grandchildren he didn't know about. He had two more grandsons and two more granddaughters aside from Noriko herself. Still they were the children of Kenji and he would have nothing more to do with them.

The lost boy wasn't sure how to react. He was to be betrothed to Noriko…. It wasn't that she was uncute or anything, but she was kind of a ditz, and she wasn't fighter. She just wasn't his type. Still, his family honor was at stake, what should he do? Just then his stomach rumbled.

"Let's finish this after we eat." Goro waved his hand and several servants brought their lunch. He couldn't help but wonder how much Ryozo knew of Genma.

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Natsume sat across from his mother on the train. She was mad at him for not seeking out his sister in Juban. He knew his sister wasn't all that smart, but to go hunting for a manga character? "Mom do you really think Noriko is in Juban"

"Yes, Noriko's met a friend of your cousin who's similar to a manga character that probably gave her the idea." Hinako sighed. She wanted to intrude on Usagi's meeting with Nodoka, yes it was rude, but she hadn't seen her sister in forever.

"Really? What comic?" The oldest Ninomiya child tilted his head. He didn't know much about his cousins aside from their names, Ranma and Natsume. Ranma was a very odd name for a girl.

"Ranma ½. It's a manga by Rumiko Takahashi about a boy who turns into a girl with cold water and back with hot. My school has a complete collection, and I've read a few odd volumes. It's interesting." One of the random volumes she read even had an odd version of herself. The fictional Hinako Ninomiya had the same fashion sense as she did, but didn't really look like her.

"Mom, you don't mean the girl I met earlier, the grown up Nodoka, was a boy?" Natsume couldn't believe it. Sure she didn't have a feminine attitude, but….

"Yes, although normally Ranma acts more ladylike as Usagi. Usagi is the name she goes in school, a way to hide from your grandfather." Smiling, she was happy to know that Ranma didn't always act like a princess. One of these days she'd have to meet Ranma as a male. Hinako got up as the train pulled into the station. Extending her senses she looked for her daughter, hopefully she wouldn't be too difficult to find.

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As Nabiki and Mai wandered around crowded streets Nerima, Nabiki wondered about Mutsumi's grandmother. As old as she was, she was twice as strong as Ranma. Ranma was stronger than both her father and his own, she assumed it was just because they were past their prime. She thought that their spirits diminished with age, Ranma's spirit may be stronger but their skills were possibly greater. Stopping her thoughts and herself she got angry. Some guy had just patted her on the butt.

"Nabiki?" Mai turned around to look at her friend. The older Tendo twin seemed to be looking for someone.

"Some pervert just touched me." Ranma said righteous fury strengthened a person. Right now the middle Tendo daughter was plenty furious.

"Hey, I am not some pervert, I am Miroku Amaya. You should be honored that I have touched anyone besides my beloved." Miroku frowned, females were so unappreciative. Older women were even worse: his father got transferred back to the smaller Nerima branch of the company he worked for just because he had granted his father's boss the privilege of his touch.

"Amaya?" Mai looked at the pervert. He was tall, had purple hair, and brown eyes; he was kind of handsome, but his attitude left a lot to be desired. "Are you related to Mutsumi?"

"Ah yes, my beloved. What a cruel fate that we be brother and sister. Still, she is not truly of my family's blood, so our love is not forbidden." It saddened him that Mutsumi chose to remain with their grandmother. He understood she sought training to make herself more worthy of him but he was happy with her just the way she was.

"Well that explains why Mutsumi doesn't look Japanese." Nabiki rolled her eyes; she doubted her new friend cared for this guy at all. Poor Mutsumi, having this jerk for a foster brother must make her life miserable.

"My love is from Nyūchezū, where my grandmother was born. She came all the way to Japan to seek out my grandmother's training."

"Mutsumi is a martial artist?" She and Nabiki had started this quest to find out what Karumi did outside of school, and instead they were learning more about Mutsumi.

"I just found out myself today, Akane mentioned it when she told me Karumi was a martial artist." Nabiki found it hard to believe without checking for herself. Since she checked Mutsumi's spirit she checked Mutsumi's grandmother too. Looking at Miroku, she was surprised his spirit was so weak; even Kasumi was stronger than him. She thought since his grandmother taught Mutsumi that he'd be stronger.

"What's next, Andy is a martial artist?" Wait, did Nabiki even know about Andy…? Learning what she had about both her old and new friends, she forgot there were things they didn't know about her. Or things she didn't think they knew about her.

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Ryoga looked over at Noriko, his family's honor was at stake. The meal had given him some time to think, but not enough. If it was Usagi he was sitting across from him, he was sure his friend would find some way out of this. Under normal circumstances declining an arrangement would not be such a bad thing, but as powerful as the Narita family was it could have some terrible consequences for his family.

Noriko was excited. Sure she didn't know Ryoga that well, but he seemed like a nice guy. Miaka would be so jealous, after she and Nodoka finished picking on her that is. "I was surprised when I found out I was being betrothed. If it's to you though, I don't mind."

"We barely know each other. Each time we met was because I got lost, my family has absolutely no sense of direction. It's contagious; if we were to get married you'd loose your sense of direction too." Maybe if he was honest with her about the pit falls of being in his family, she might end this herself. It would be better than dishonoring his family.

"I get lost all the time anyway. I'm terrible with maps." The older Ninomiya twin playfully hit herself in the head. Natsume always had to hunt her down when ever she got lost. Thinking about it, Natsume was probably looking for her now. Maybe she should have at least let him know where she was going.

The boy seemed like he was trying to convince Noriko not to go through with the engagement. Goro couldn't help but wonder why, why not simply say he wasn't interested in her. It didn't matter either way; Genma had been successful in embarrassing him again. In truth it would be better if the boy did not accept the betrothal, then he would no longer have to acknowledge Hinako and her children. He was not happy acknowledging them as it was. Still things would be far worse if Ryozo thought he picked up a random girl from off the streets.

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Akane sort of felt like a fifth wheel. Occasionally Usagi or her mother would ask her what she thought of an outfit, but otherwise the two kept her out of things. Oddly enough Usagi seemed to be enjoying herself. It seemed like she let herself be a girl for this.

Watching the two made her happy even if she did feel left out. Ranma went his whole life without knowing his mother, this was something he needed. The youngest Tendo sister missed her own mother, but at least she had been a part of her life.

What was Ranma; a boy or a girl? Right now and at school it was easier to believe Ranma was really Usagi. At home Ranma did seem like a guy, but he spent more time as a girl.

When she and Nabiki first accused him of liking Ryoga there wasn't any reaction other than disgust. The second time although she sounded disgusted, there was a slight hint though that the thought might not be that bad. Then earlier today she blushed at the accusation by her mother. Was Ranma becoming Usagi?

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At the suggestion of Ranma's grandfather, Ryoga walked within the property of the Narita estate with Noriko. She seemed to be enjoying herself glomping onto his arm. What in the world was he going to do?

"Grampa sure is silly, warning us about pitfalls." Noriko was enjoying herself. The day started weird, but even if she didn't meet the Senshi it was going to end great.

"IT'S NOT SILLY I COULD USE SOME HELP DOWN HERE!"

The lost boy looked down, and was grateful for the shout, he and Noriko almost walked into the same pit. Well the least he could do to thank her for her warning was get her out of there. "Stand back I'm coming down."

"Ryoga?" The older Ninomiya twin frowned as Ryoga freed himself of her and then watched her soon to be fiancé jump into the pit. Then she watched him jump back out with a young woman who looked suspiciously like her brother. After Ryoga put her down she got closer in the female's face. "Natsume?"

"Yes?" The girl in the kimono wasn't Ranma, but how did she know her name. Natsume rolled her eyes; she was poking her in the chest now. 'Why are you doing that?"

"When did you become a girl?"

"I've always been a girl."

"But you're always saying you're a guy."

"What? I don't even know you."

"You don't know your own sister."

"My sister is a redhead"

"Nodoka is the redhead, me and Miaka got our hair from daddy."

"My dad doesn't have any hair and my mother's hair is auburn."

"Of course she does, we have the same mother. Wait, daddy has hair."

"No we don't. No he doesn't"

"Um, I can explain this." To Ryoga what was going on seemed fairly obvious. This was Ranma's sister, the infamous Natsume Narita; Miura used to go on about. Also Noriko mentioned earlier that she had an older brother named Natsume. Noriko was confusing her cousin for her brother. "Noriko this is Natsume Narita, your cousin. Natsume, this is Noriko Ninomiya."

"Ninomiya?" The same name as Furinkan's new principal; her mother said Hinako was her friend. If what Ryoga said was true; they were sisters? Natsume wondered why her mother just said they were friends.

"Oh." Noriko pouted. "It would have been cooler if my brother got turned into a girl."

The oldest Narita child bent down and whispered in Ryoga ear. "She's a bit of a ditz."

Ryoga sighed; the more he got to know Noriko the less he liked her. Maybe some guys would be more than happy with cute ditzy girl, but not him. His perfect girl would be Ami Mizuno with Ranma's skill. Keeping voice down, he replied. "I'd rather be engaged to Ranma."

"What are you two talking about?" Noriko tilted her head. Ryoga was supposed to be getting to know her, not getting to know her cousin. Then again she wouldn't mind too much getting to know the female Natsume. Her cousin needed a sword though.

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Mutsumi sat in her room dreading her future. Legally she was the adopted daughter of her master's Son-in-law, now that he was back in Nerima it would look strange if she lived with her master rather than 'her own" family. She liked Rei and her husband, but Rei's son…. She was not looking forward to living with Miroku again.

"May I come in?" Rei stood outside the open door. After seeing Mutsumi nod she stepped in. "I'm sorry we're back. Miroku ruined Toshihiko's promotion by assaulting his new boss. We're lucky Toshi still has a job."

"How did Miroku end up like that? You and Toshi are great people." During the short time she lived with the Amaya's, before Toshi got promoted, Miroku fell in love with her. Constantly he would say it was their destiny to meet, and then whenever he was around another beautiful woman he would grope them.

"Well my uncle and my grandfather were both terrible perverts, I guess my son got a recessive gene that skipped my father, brother and me. My mother calls it the curse of Happosai." Sighing, Rei wished it was a curse. Curses could be broken or lifted; nothing they tried cured her son of his perversion.

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When her grandfather's guards started chasing her Natsume decided to run. Since her brother wasn't in trouble she didn't feel the need to interfere in the Omiai. Ryoga should be able to handle himself.

Thinking about Ryoga, she wondered if her brother was aware of his feelings for him. It was possible that he agreed to the Omiai thinking it was her brother he was being engaged to. So it wasn't that Ryoga was gay, he knew her brother was a part time girl.

Kasumi would probably find that very interesting that the real Ryoga liked the real Ranma. Knowing how she could be she'd probably try to fix them up. That being the case, she wasn't going to tell her former best friend.

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After Ryoga and Noriko returned they sat around the table. Ryozo was worried, if Ryoga accepted this arrangement the family curse would continue for another generation. Unfortunately it was likely the boy thought the family might have to face repercussions for not accepting the arrangement. If only his son knew how much Goro loathed his second daughter's family; why Goro accepted a thieving con man over an honest sword master he would never know. "Well Ryoga, what have you decided?"

"Yes boy, what have you decided? Noriko accepts you, do you accept her?" Something told him the boy was going to accept Noriko. He would have to renounce his disownment of his younger daughter; he would have to accept her husband as a member of his family. Genma would pay for tainting the Narita family.

"I will accept this engagement." Ryoga put on a false smile; it was for his family's honor. Maybe he could get used to Noriko.

"May both our houses flourish." The Narita patriarch would need to spend some time in a dojo. He needed to work out his anger. Genma had won this round, but he would get his revenge. Still adding Ryoga to family was not in and of itself a bad thing.

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Lio's Corner:

-I took out the pre-chapter note because Ranma starts to think of himself as she as the chapter progresses.

-Jonajhensu: Sailor Moon is just a Manga in this story; there will be no actually Sailor Senshi. The Furinkan Otaku Club will dress as the Senshi from time to time.

-James Axelrad: Sorry, I've been a little busy with military things. Chapters will come out as I have time. I wish I could write more often, but work comes first.

-Asgeras: The pronoun thing has been changed as of this chapter.

You're wrong about Ryoga, yes Usagi and Noriko look alike, but Noriko isn't a redhead (Kenshin and Nodoka are the only redheads in her family.) and she's bigger than Ranma. Ryoga isn't as dumb in this story.

I haven't decided what will happen when Goro finds Genma, but don't expect Genma to disappear.

I don't know about giving Ranma multiple fiancées. In fact ... I think Akane will be his only one. Not to say other girls won't be interested in him, just Akane is his only fiancée.
-Chrysicat: Well, maybe I'm taking the family resemblance thing a little too far. I've never watched Scrubs.

-The names of Miroku's parents come from the actors who voice Shampoo and Mousse.

-When this chapter was first posted most of the Author notes were missing. I had a simplified family tree made, but I decided since there is no Omake this time I could make a better one.

-F-A-M-I-L-Y-

Narita Family Tree:

Natsume Narita (male) is the father of Goro Narita

Goro Narita, is the husband of Ron(deseased); and the father of Nodoka Narita and Hinoko Ninomiya. Nodoka and Hinako are twins.

Nodoka Narita, is the wife of Genma Saotome; and the mother of Natsume Narita (female) and Ranma Saotome. Ranma Saotome also goes by Usagi Narita.

Hinoko Ninomiya is the wife of Kenji Ninomiya; and the mother of Natsume Ninomiya(male), Noriko Ninomiya, Miaka Ninomiya, Nodoka Ninomiya, and Kenshin Ninomiya. Noriko and Miaka are twins. Nodoka is named after her mother's sister.