Disclaimer: I don't own Ranma, I only rent him.

Chapter 21 After dinner revelations.

Ryuu and Ranma were sitting outside. They had both taken a couple scrolls that appealed to the both of them and had come out here to get a little privacy. They were both currently studying their respective scrolls, but their minds were actually elsewhere.

"Hey Ranma."

"Yeah?"

"Honestly, what do you think about gramps?"

"... The guy sure seems to fall in love a lot."

Ryuu put down the scroll he had stopped reading and turned to Ranma.

"I'm not sure if I can blame him."

This time Ranma put down the scroll that he had been reading.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's obvious that he loves both of those women, and they said that he loved our grandmothers as well. Heck your, our, father even calls that one woman mom."

"I guess he should, seeing as how I was the one that raised him."

Both boys turned to the voice and were shocked that they had not felt the woman approach.

"Don't give me that look boys. Ranma, who do you honestly think your father trained against when he created the Senkens? I was chasing him for days trying to find my underware and dishes. He just kept saying that it was for the good of the art."

"You know martial arts?"

Yumi just smiled at them.

"Of course I do. I met Goucho at a martial arts competition. He was there supporting his father and I was there in the women's competition. He was so cute how he kept acting like a fool everytime I saw him. It seems that trait is hereditary."

"Wasn't Gramps already engaged or something?"

"Yes he was. I met her in the finals, she was my opponent. You boys are from a long line of arranged marriages to martial arts families. The whole mistress thing helped with that. I lost, by the way.

I honestly never thought I'd see Goucho again, but about a week later I got a letter inviting me to his house. I met his father and his fiancee again, and even met Goucho's best friend. She was a martial artist too. We all talked, and eventually I got Goucho alone to talk. He told me he loved me and then explained that he couldn't escape the arranged marriage.

By this time I had developed feelings for him and we decided to meet in secret. For weeks it tore my heart. It almost broke the day he married your grandmother, but his best friend kept me company, I didn't find out until after the honeymoon that she loved Goucho as well."

"So Gramps was married, was in love with you, and his best friend had a crush on him? That's like a bad soap opera."

"Yes, I know. But things were not what they had appeared to be at first. By the way Ryuu, Goucho's best friend was your grandmother."

"What!"

"Listen quietly boys, I'm getting to the good part. It seems you Saotome men have this little problem about falling in love at first sight. Sometimes you realise it, sometimes you don't, but either way it becomes an unstoppable force in your lives, and you can no more resist it than snow resists fire. Am I right? How are Kodachi and Akane?"

Ryuu and Ranma both blushed at the questions. They both had their thoughts drawn back to their respective loves and how they had fared little in holding back their passions when said girls had shown their willingness.

Ryuu placed his hand behind his back and felt at the light scars that Kodachi had put there a couple nights ago. His blush deepened, he had wanted to wait until they were married.

Ranma thought about Akane and how he had been helpless to resist her no matter how much he tried to claim he wasn't interested yet. She had only giggled and somehow read him and his desires like a book. Ranma's lust aura started to manifest as he remebered her passion and stamina...

"So that's what Akane was giggling about with the other girls."

"Hey Ranma, what the heck is that arua? It feels wierd."

"Huh? What aura?"

"Happosai in a thong."

Suddenly Ranma's aura stopped at both boys tried to kill the mental image that Yumi had just given the both of them.

"What was that for?"

"I needed you to stop. You might not have known it, but it seems that you've started putting out a lust aura when you think of Akane in an erotic manner. How about I continue?"

Both boy only nodded, blushing in embarresment.

"Fine. Well, as I said Saotome men fall in love at first sight and they can't resist the pull. There lies a problem with this. Sometimes they fall in love more than once. What happens then when a force that would cause them to move mountains is suddenly being restrained because it's not right to love more than once.

Goucho was in love with all three of us, but he hadn't told any of us. On his wedding night, he finally confessed to his new bride. Your grandmother knew about the power of the Saotome clan and about many of it's privilages. She hadn't been in love with Goucho, but stayed with him because of honor and even cared for him as a friend. She even shared his bed that night and soon Genma was on the way.

But she was also the kindest woman I have ever met. On the night she returned from her honeymoon she sent for me and Ryuu's grandmother. She asked us a simple question. Did we love him so much that we would be willing to share. All three of us were from old families and understood what she offered us.

I personally thought about the offer for weeks tearing myself apart. I don't know if I would have ever made a choice, but one night Goucho arrived at my house crying. He had once again failed all of his father's attempts at training. He was injured and bruised. He had decided to turn his back on the art.

That one decision nearly broke his spirit. Gouch wanted so much to keep the family alive. He wanted to contribute and not be worthless. I made my desision that night as I comforted him. I even joined him in bussiness school after our arrangement was final. Since I wanted to finish school, I waited until later to give Goucho a child. You grandmothers did not. Genma and Hikaru were both born only a few weeks apart.

They thought it best not to explain to the boys at first, but when I became pregnant with Kanji we told them. I stayed by Goucho's side at work and your grandmothers took care of you three.When Kanji was two, there was an accident. Both your grandmother's were killed. I doubt Hikaru ever fully recovered. He ran away to make his own way in the world.

I stayed home after that to raise Kanji and Genma. Genma threw himself into the art and spent all his time with his grandfather, Kanji followed him like a puppy. Finally, your great grandfather died. It was before he could pass on everything to Genma and Goucho believed that it could cause the legacy of the Saotome clan to die out. He offered Genma a chance to build a new legacy for their family at his side.

Genma shocked us all when he said no and left. He soon found Happosai and impressed him with his Senkens. You both know most of the rest."

Both boys were Silent at this. This was more than they had ever known about their fathers. Finally Ryuu spoke again.

"So, my grandmother's name was Kumon."

"Silly me, no. That was your mother's name. Hikaru took it to honor her. Your Grandmother's name was Tita Hibiki. Your great grandfather was best friends with Sato Hibiki, the legendary wanderer. I believe that you know your other cousin Ryouga. His Grandfather was Tita's older brother."

Both boys fainted.

OOOOO

Chu Li stolled into the Nekohatten and looked around. The customers had noticed Shampoo's new lack of hair, but any curiosity was banished by the smile she wore on her face. Chu Li could not help but to smile as the girl's joy radiated the room. It wasn't long before she was noticed.

"Great grandmother!"

Chu Li found herself in a loving glomp and chuckled slightly. Her elder grandson had finally one the woman of his dreams. Now if only Wing fared so well. It seemed that the boy had some sort of plan and had been spending most of his nights training with Mu Tsu after his training with the Saotomes. This time spent away from Shampoo got on his nerves slightly, but Mu Tsu knew his brother's plans. Now if only they would tell her what it was.

Chu Li strocked Shampoo's hair and motioned her her to return to work. Cologne had pulled a fast one and had signed over the cafe to Mu Tsu, saying something about a wedding gift. Honestly, the two weren't even married.

Chu Li had actually been shocked when after years of pursuit Mu Tsu had actually wanted to take his time with Shampoo. He had said that they had the rest of their lives for all that stuff. Mu Tsu now spent his days with Shampoo running their 'Family' cafe. His first move had been to hire Nabiki Tendo to take over their books.

That had interested her because he had mentioned something about strange fees. He swore that he was under his word not to discuss their arrangement. Chu Li had simply followed them one day and was a little surprised to see Mu Tsu giving Weapon Training lessons. Nabiki Tendo wanted to learn had to fight with weapons and wanted to keep it secret.

This area was slowly growing on her. She was slowly becoming tempted to step down from the council and retiring here with her family. Mu Tsu had already stated he had no reason or intension of returning to the Amazon lands. As he put it, all his family was here and not just that of blood.

There had been a tension building in the village the last few years, but somehow being here had seemed like the answer she was looking for.

Chu Li sat on a stool and contented herself with watching her Daughter in law.

OOOOO

The figure moved fast. Hse had a mission to complete for her Great Grandmother, Xien Mao. She was to get to this Nerima at her highest speed. Maybe if things went well when she arrived she could visit with Shampoo some. It had been years, and a friend coming for a visit would be the perfect cover as she scouted around.

The girls felt her heart fill with ice as she pused herself harder. He had only been a weak farmer. He had meant nothing to her. He was gone. Dead. He shouldn't have been so weak. He should have...

The girl felt her heart start to crack and banished her thoughts once more. She had a mission she had to complete. Her village was in danger from a warrior who had beaten Saffron. She would need all her wits not to be his next target. She didn't need to be crying over lost oppertunities and love left unfulfilled.

As it had since not long after leaving her villiage, the tears ran down her face as she tried to banish her thoughts. The only time she could control her tears were in the company of Xien Mao.

One thought still ran threw her mind, why hadn't he just asked her to be a farmers wife if he couldn't be a warriors husband.

OOOOO

Ranma had been sitting in meditation for several hours. His face never wavered, but anyone could feel the fear he emitted in the room. The scrolls he had recieved had described the final steps of the nekoken and it's reasoning. He had believed all his life that his father had been crazy by throwing him into the pit of cats. He had been shocked when Kanji told him of Genma going threw the training as a teenager and going into the pit over and over again... for three days straight.

His father hadn't lost his eyesight and needed glasses for anymedical reason other than it was the one wound that Genma never truely healed. Kanji had showed him a picture of a young Genma without glasses. He had actually, almost, looked noble.

Ranma had learned of the past that Genma had never told him about. Genma had always tried to make him the best no matter what. Now Ranma understood why. It was not enough for a man to be able to protect himself. Ranma had said many times that it was the duty of a martial artist to protect the weak. Ranma now knew that it included family, and that understanding brought new light to his father's image.

For the first time since Ranma had been a child he found reason to actually be proud of his father.

And now he was begining the end of his training in the Saotome family style, the completion of the Nekoken. It began with deep meditation and a perfect comtrol of his mind and soul. He was now ready.

Inside Ranma's mind Ranma stood tall and allowed his spirit to flow around him. He looked towards the darkest courners of his mind and matched eyes with it. It was the pure primal force and instinct he had forged when he was a child. It was the nekoken and he had not faced it in all these years. Ranma motioned it forward and watched as it left the shadows. For the first time in his life he saw the embodiment of his greatest fears and was surprised. Ranma new what to do. He kneelt and waved the nekoken forward. When it was close enough, he picked it up and held it. He stroked it's sides and accepted it as a part of himself...

Ranma never noticed when the nekoken was no longer there, but soon felt the fear he always felt leave him. He was finally at peace.

Ranma came out of his trance and knew that he had succedded. Ranma felt the tears start and just sat as they fell from him eyes. He never noticed Akane enter the room, but felt her embrace as she tried to comfort him.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Ranma wiped his eyes and nodded.

"Yeah. I guess I need to."

"Ranma, what happened? I was expecting you to scream or yell or something, not be sitting here crying."

"It was a kitten Akane..."

Akane had barely heard Ranma whisper. She strained her ears to listen as Ranma tried to explain. She knew that he needed her at his side now more than ever.

"I was only a child when it happened. My mind became one of the animals attacking me. I became a cat, but I was still me. I always refused to admit that it was me. I didn't even remember that I had actually fought back so that I could have some of the fish as well. I was a child who became a cat, so I became a kitten..."

"I knew this is hard on you Ranma, but there's something you're not saying. What is it? Please, tell me."

Ranma leaned back and looked into the eyes of the woman he loved.

"It was starving, I was starving. It was always starving no matter how much I ate. It was why food always had such a strong hold on me. I was always scared and starving, and I was always a little kitten. Just trying to fight for enough food to live."

Suddenly Ranma's eyes got round as a thought struck him.

"What is it?"

"Pops... He went through the training as well, but he never was able to give his mind fully to the cats. But the way he acts, especially around food, I bet it did work somewhat. We've always fought over food before, but we always acted like it was normal. I didn't know it wasn't until I met you and your family."

"Are you saying that your father has a part of the Nekoken inside him?"

"He's always been able to keep up with me, even if he can't beat me anymore. The whole point of the Nekoken is to allow the mind, body, and soul to develope instincts that would normally take centuries to accuire. I can actually remember it now. The training, everything. Oh... my ... god..."

Akane watched as Ranma started to blush.

"Um Akane? I'm sorry. I just remembered our first kiss..."

Akane's eyes widened at the thoughts, then she smiled.

"Now you know why I was mad afterward."

Chi backed away from the door and motioned the girls, Natsume and Kurumi, to back off. They could leave their brother to this momnet.Ranma had gotten so few in his past.

OOOOO

Natsume and Kurumi walked on either side of there brother, Ryuu. It had been a couple hours since Ranma announced that he had beaten the Nekoken. They were now going to see one person that they hadn't known that they needed to talk too. This was too important to the girl. Searching for family back become their life, and they weren't going to leave out anyone. Even their distant cousin.

Ryuu had been reluctant to want to do this He was still a little bothered about their grandfathers parting words about taking care of everything. No one had told their other family about the upcoming fight. He didn't know what his grandfather was up to, but knew someone was most likely in for some pain. He just hoped that it wasn't him.

It didn't take long for the trio to arrive at their destination. They stepped into the resturant and was greeted by it's owner before they were recognised.

"Welcome to Utchan's. Oh, hey guys. What's up? Ranma coming as well?"

Natsume had decided to do all of the talking.

"No, we've got family bussiness that, for once, doesn't include him. We'd like to speak to you and your boyfriend. We've actually come for Ryuoga mainly."

"He's in the back right now. I'll go get him. Hey, Konatsu. Could you and Akari watch the shop for a while?"

For the first time, the Saotome's noticed the former Kunoichi in his new look and some new clothes. The girls barely noticed Akari working near him, even when she turned to smile at them. Her smile lessened when she saw the looks on the girls faces. It was starting to really annoy her that girls found HER man so attractive.

Konatsu had been nodding and suddenly stopped when he felt his love's happiness start to slip. He turned and smiled at her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see that Konatsu had used his duplification to send one of himself to her for a quick kiss before disappearing in a puff of smoke. She giggle at his attemt to cheer her up. This was why she put up with other girls flirting with Konatsu. He only had eyes for her, and there was no hesitaion in his soul, only patience.

Ukyo came out from the back holding Ryouga's hand and lead everyone to a booth in the back. Natsume decided to take charge of this.

"Ryouga, does the name Sato Hibiki mean anything to you?"

"Huh? That's my great grandfather."

Ukyo decided to interupt here.

"Whoa whoa, the Great Wanderer? Wasn't he the guy that... Why am I not surprised that you're related to a guy that got the Emperor lost while protecting him from an assassin."

"Yeah, Grampa loved to tell me about his dad. Why did you guys ask?"

"You mention your grandfather. Did he have any siblings?"

"Yeah, he said that his younger sister fell in love with a guy that was promised to another woman. Sound's a little like Ranma's life too me."

Ukyo and Ryouga started laughing at what they were sure was a joke but soon stopped laughing when they saw the girls smiles and Ryuu's look. It seemed to say 'Run away, run away now'.

Ukyo decided that enough was enough.

"What's really going on?"

"Our biological father's birth name was Hikaru Hibiki, he was your grandfather's nefew. We're cousins."

All sounds in Utchan's stopped. The proved to be quiet a feat since no one had been near the radio to turn it off.

"Ryouga is related to you three?"

Ryouga wanted to know something that he felt was even more important.

"What about Ranma, am I related to him?"

"No, you're not related to Ranma-"

"Oh thank god!"

Everyone facefaulted.

OOOOO

XXXXX

Hikaru watched as his daughter came in with supplies. She hadn't been done a moment when she ran back out. He shook his head at her actions these days. This mission to help her oldest friend had brought a fire to her spirit that reminded him of her mother.

Hikaru knew that Miyo was watching over their daughter as she began to truely fall in love. Chi would be both surprised and proud of his friend 'Gos'.

Hikaru needed to see to the others. The word of his daughter's plan had spread and had an unexpected side effect. A reunion had been taking place in Nerima of late. Friends and rivals long scattered were returning.

What had truely shocked him most, more so than Ukyo's return, was that SHE had come. No one knew how she found out, or even how she got here, but she simply waited without talking to anyone.

If it turned out that there must be war with the Amazons where Chi was now, then the Amazons would never know what hit them.

And yet, even though Hikaru felt a coming battle, he felt a much darker enemy in their futures than the amazons of legend.

XXXXX

OOOOO

Happosai and Taro sat talking. It still surprised him how fast the young man could fly in his other form.

"So my boy, how goes our allies in China?"

"They're ready. It seems that the trick you suggested worked. It not only brought the Pheonix back to power, but it cemented an alliance if for no other reason than it could be used in future times if needed."

"The Pheonix and The Dragon stand together. I only pray that we don't have to declare war on the Amazons. And are they ready to attack?"

"They say that they'll attack in seven days, that gives the amazons a day to declare surrender or peace when they arrive and a day for me to reach China to call our allies back. Old man, I have a question. How did you know that it would work? I mean having Prince Herb and his father provide the chi to power Saffron's transformation so that he matured sooner than expected. It was a gamble."

"Let's just say I was given some good advice from an old friend."

Happosai had to resist the urge to pat the letter from himself that he still carried. Cologne had been the only other person who had read it. She had actually cried as she read what had happened and what had to be done. Shampoo didn't even know of the depression that Cologne found herself in.

Happosai said his goodbyes to Taro and made his way back to the woman he loved, even after three hundred years. With Shampoo now dead to the tribe, Colong no longer felt any alligence to the village as a whole. Oh, there were many old friends, but if it was a choice between the village and the youngwarriors she had begun to think of as family... Cologne spent her nights drunk lately, and only Happosai could find her before she could sober herself.

Happosai would never tell another soul.

OOOOO

Author's notes:

FINALLY!

My muse has returned to me. To para-phrase Kuno, I write on!

I have moved and am still dealing with fun moving troubles. I now live in Heber Springs Arkansas. It is beautiful here, and has return much insperation.

I hope everyone checks out my other works, and as always please review.