I must be out of my mind.
ANOTHER fic?!? ARGH!
OK, you can blame Nighthawk for this thing. He lives at:
Nighthawk's Fanfiction http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Quasar/6189/
I live at:
Cobalt's Fanfics http://www.lum.co.uk/cobalt/
C&C can be sent to [email protected] Flames will be used to heat
homes.
Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own the series depicted within, but go buy
them anyway.
Conventions:
~ ~ are used for thoughts and Telepathic communications.
#######
Uncles!
#######
########
Prologue
########
Hiroshi Kawasaka hated earthquakes. For a Japanese native, this wasn't too surprising.
But Hiroshi had a deeper, more personal reason to hate earthquakes. For you see, Hiroshi
worked in the Japanese National Records office. Now located in Tokyo, after the Kobe
earthquake destroyed the old site there, Hiroshi had the task of sorting all the recovered
records from the completely destroyed Family Registers section. Oh sure the families had
their own copies, as did the local offices, but this was the place where all the
government agencies came.
"Hum..." The clerk adjusted his glasses as he read the latest sheet in the pile. ~
Only ten more and this lot can go to the archive. Thank the Kami the Diet agreed to
computerise the records. ~
"OK. Professor Sokuke Tomoe (formerly Hibiki) married Kikimo Saotome. One daughter,
Hotaru." He mutters as he types. "Both rather young at the time I see. Sigh Young
love."
He finishes typing and hits return, committing the information to disc before turning to
the next page.
***
Setsuna Meioh (a.k.a. Sailor Pluto) was well versed in the detection of ripples in the
time stream. She could tell by the feel of the ripple what sort of problem had occurred.
However she was glad that the other Senshi were not around to see her attempt to hold
back laughter as an extremely ticklish feeling rolled down her spine.
She recovered quickly and checked the time stream. Nope, nothing. Shrugging to
herself, she went back to what she had been doing.
She never saw Crystal Tokyo flicker for a moment.
#########
Chapter 1
#########
Ranma Saotome was having a bad day. This was the norm for the pigtailed youth.
Attacks, abuse, glomps, weirdness and food. Can't forget the food, especially if Akane
made it.
And for once he'd wanted to learn at school. 'Knowledge is power', 'Know your enemy,
and know yourself', etc etc... It had been pounded into him over his time in Nerima that
a smart warrior is a better warrior. The problem was nobody seemed willing to let him
learn anything at school and, he reflected on his way back to the Tendo Dojo, he wasn't
likely to get anything done at home.
~ Sometimes I think the universe is out to get me. ~ Ranma thought morosely.
***
Kasumi looked up from her preparations at the sound of the phone ringing. Wondering who
it was as she wiped her hands, she walked over to the phone and answered.
"Hello, Tendo Dojo."
"Yes he lives here but..."
Kasumi was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
"Hi." Ranma's voice called out.
"He's just arrived." Kasumi said into the phone. "Could you wait a moment? Thank
you."
Ranma popped his head round the door from the kitchen.
"Hi Kasumi." Ranma greeted her. He was surprised to see her missing from the kitchen
at this time of day. "What's up?"
Kasumi beamed him one of her 'all is right with the world' smiles.
"Telephone call for you."
He looked at the older girl, then shrugged.
"Thanks." He took the phone from her and let her get back to cooking dinner. "Hello,
Ranma Saotome speaking."
"Yes they are my parents." ~ Although I wished Genma wasn't. ~ He added silently.
"Really? Do you have an address?" Ranma grabbed the notepad and pen Kasumi had made
sure was left by the phone and began scribbling down what he was told.
"Yes, I'll tell them. Thank you for telling us."
"Goodbye."
Ranma put the phone down. Then he carefully removed the top few sheets of the notepad
and tucked them in a pocket.
"Who was it Ranma?" Kasumi asked from the kitchen.
"Someone from the government confirming some things." Ranma had long learned to hold
back from telling Kasumi everything. Not that he didn't trust her; it was her sister he
didn't trust. Nabiki had a way of messing his life up worse than it was.
"I'll be upstairs for a bit." And with that he dashed off thinking one thing.
~ I'm an uncle?!? ~
***
In a nice house on the outskirts of Juuban another telephone conversation had just
finished. The sea green-hared lady who had answered it just stood there thoughtfully.
"Who was it?" A voice called from the next room, prodding the lady to walk back in.
"Someone from the adoption services."
The lady's companion, an extremely tomboyish young woman (and you could only tell
because her attributes were clear at the moment), looked up sharply and tensed.
"And?"
"They have located an uncle for Hotaru. He has the address so he will be contacting us
shortly." She then smiled. "But they won't be considering transferring her to his care.
Don't worry Haruka."
Haruka relaxed.
"That's good Michiru. I wouldn't want her upset over this."
"So how was your shopping trip?"
The blond sighed.
"She hit me with the 'look' while we were out."
"What did she get this time?" Michiru asked half resigned, half amused.
"A Ranko wall scroll." The short-hared blond replied. "I have to admit, she's not bad
looking."
Michiru glared at her. Haruka smirked back.
"Come off it love, I know you agree." As soon as the violinist assumed a mollified
expression, she continued. "Besides, You prefer Shampoo don't you?"
Michiru gaped. She'd believed THAT particular preference was a secret. Haruka just
chuckled at her expression.
"Humph. I bet you didn't know Setsuna has the Ranma and Ranko cuddly toys on her bed."
Michiru shot back at the racer.
"Really?" Came the surprised reply. "Which one does she prefer?"
"I can't decide." A third voice told them as the woman in question came into the room.
Her voice was half quoting as she stopped and posed. "I must have them both!"
The resulting giggle attack lasted five minutes.
"So." Setsuna started once they'd all calmed down. "I take it Hotaru's collection has
expanded once again?"
"Yes. A new wall scroll." Haruka shrugged. "I don't mind as it's helping her fit in
more at school."
Michiru smiled, then turned to the older woman.
"Setsuna, did you know Hotaru had an uncle still alive?"
The time senshi blinked.
"Oh? Interesting."
Haruka looked on incredulously.
"You mean you didn't?"
"Contrary to popular belief, I don't know everything." Setsuna explained tiredly. "I
limit myself to what knowledge is necessary to maintain the time stream. Anything more is
dangerous."
The other two women nodded sagely. It had been pounded into them how dangerous
foreknowledge of the future could be. Besides, Setsuna's statement caused them to relax
slightly. If she didn't know, it meant it was probably not a threat.
"Any information on this uncle?"
Michiru shook her head.
"Only that they've contacted him and he should be getting in touch soon."
Setsuna smiled.
"It will be a nice surprise for her."
***
The girl involved in these discussions was happily adjusting her posters so she could
fit her new wall scroll up without blocking anything. This wasn't as hard as was first
thought. Most of her posters were in her art portfolio books.
She wanted them in pristine condition.
However, her favourites were up there. Ranma working out in the Dojo's garden, Ranma in
a flying kick, a group shot of the Nerima Wrecking Crew, Akane malleting Kuno into orbit
and Ranko fighting her panda. Why she had a pet panda (not to mention how she managed to
keep it) was one of the mysteries surrounding Ranma and the gang.
Also up on the walls were three wall scrolls. Her new one of Ranko in a combat stance,
one of Ranma walking along the fence top and one with Ranma and Ryoga in mid-combat.
Hotaru stopped and looked around. On the bed there were a plush Panda and a plush cat
with lavender-coloured highlights. On the shelves were videos, trading cards (She was
missing the Doctor Tofu, Martial Arts Ice-skating match and the ultra-rare Gold Ranma
cards), picture books, the rest of the cuddly toy set and the art portfolios.
To say Hotaru Tomoe liked Ranma Saotome was like saying the sun was a bit hot.
~ One day I'll meet him. ~ The purple-eyed girl thought. ~ He's so confident, so
strong. Everybody likes him. ~ She took another look around her room.
~ One day. ~ She swore.
***
"Where is that BAKA!?!"
The terrible war cry echoed through the Tendo compound like the sound of a jumbo jet
flying full throttle 3 metres over the roof.
"Uh oh. This does not sound good." Ranma muttered to himself as he made his way down
to dinner. He resolved to try and keep his mouth shut.
That wasn't thunder you just heard. It was the sound of supernatural beings collapsing
in laughter.
~ The weather's acting up again. ~ A small part of Akane Tendo's mind noted. The
bulk of it was seething in rage. However the object of her 'affections' wasn't playing
fair by coming into the dining room completely silent. He merely nodded to those present
and took his place at the table.
Nabiki blinked. What was Ranma up to?
Surprisingly, dinner was a quiet affair. With Ranma not saying anything Akane didn't
mallet him, Genma and Soun didn't pester him and Nabiki had nothing to needle him over.
"Thank you for the meal Kasumi." Ranma nodded as the ladies cleared up.
"What's with you Ranma?" Akane exploded.
Ranma sighed.
"I just didn't fancy a malletin' today is all." He said as he got up. "Just 'cause you
can't control your temper don't mean it ain't your fault you can't see the truth."
WHAM!
"Stop insulting me Ranma!" Akane told the twitching mess under her mallet.
"That was uncalled for." Nodoka frowned at the young lady. Who didn't notice.
"This BAKA insults me WHAM!, hangs off those two floozies WHAMWHAM!, insults my
cooking WHAMWHAMWHAM!! and has the nerve to try and blame me?!?!
WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM!!!!!.
"That's ENOUGH young lady." Kasumi told Akane.
"Humph." Akane dismissed her mallet and wandered off.
"I'll call Doctor Tofu." Nabiki sighed as Kasumi and Nodoka pealed Ranma off the floor.
And yet another day began winding down.
***
~ Why does that tomboy have to fly off the handle? ~ Ranma wondered as he pulled his
aching body up the stairs late that night. The good doctor had done what he could to heal
the vicious beating the youngest Tendo had inflicted on him.
~ Only Mom stood up for me, but even then she hid the fact I had an older sister. ~
He complained. ~ Maybe I'll go see this niece of mine. Yeah, that's what I'll do! ~
Slipping into his room, he got out his pack and started filling it Amazon-style using
what little Hidden weapons he had picked up from Mousse and the speed increase of the
Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken. Once done he visited the kitchen for some food and left the
Dojo.
***
~ Hum. Let's see. ~ Ranma studied the map in the train station, comfortable with his
purchase of a thermos flask (now filled with hot water) to add to the pack on his back. ~
They live... Where is it? Ah ha! There it is. And I'm... Here. Right. Then I just
need to go past the park, up the high street... ~
"Help! Thief!"
Ranma casually stuck one of his feet back.
~ ...Along this street... ~
The would be thief ran towards the exit, inwardly smiling at the ease of the robbery
when he tripped.
~ ...Turn here, head up this road... ~ Ranma didn't notice the irate robber tripping,
or when he got up and saw his foot sticking back.
"Why you...!" He growled and lunged. Ranma deflected absently with one hand.
~ ...Up to here when I turn right... ~
The crowd looked on in wonder as the pigtailed martial artist defended himself without
turning away from the map. Finally Ranma grabbed the fist thrown at him and twisted it
(and the arm), pulling the robber closer.
~ ...And then over here... ~
The robber didn't know what hit him when a straight side kick to the midsection both
doubled him over and threw him three metres back before he touched the floor.
Ranma hadn't even wobbled.
~ ...Round here and in here. Right, that's simple enough. ~
The martial artist turned and walked away, not noticing the shocked looks of recognition
from the crowd.
***
~ OK. Here's the park. ~ Ranma thought as he landed from his leap over the fence.
A group of girls saw him as he walked through the park.
"Oh my..."
"Is that who I think it is?"
Ranma turned towards them slightly as he looked for landmarks.
"It is!" One squealed.
"He's more handsome in person..."
"He is A HUNK."
"That pigtail is so cute."
"I wonder what he looks like without his shirt?"
There was a group blush at that comment.
On the other side of the park, a gang of boys had also spotted the pigtailed youth.
"Hey guys, check it out!"
"Is that him?"
"Course it is. Look at how he moves."
"What about that back pack? It must weight a tonne."
"chuckle You're probably right, considering who we're talking about."
Both groups came to the same decision at the same time.
"We've got to meet him."
Meanwhile Ranma had been thinking.
~ OK, so that building is the tower. Over there is the statue. So I want to go that
way. ~ He paused. ~ And why is everyone staring at me? ~
Taking a few quick steps he jumped the pond, bounded over the heads of some small kids
into the trees then launched himself high into the sky to clear the park wall.
Everyone had uniform expressions of awe on their face as he disappeared.
"Wow! Did you see that?"
"That was cool!"
"I wanna know how he did that!"
***
~ It's down here to the end, then right. ~
Ranma bumped a small child, causing the child to drop his lollypop. Quick as a flash
Ranma caught it and presented it to the amazed child with a flourish.
"Sorry about that little guy." Seeing the young boy still gaping at him he chuckled.
"Don't worry about it." Ranma advised before straightening out and continuing on, patting
him on the head as he walks away.
"Yoshi!" A woman's voice calls and she comes up to the young boy.
"Mama I met Ranma!"
Smiling indulgently Yoshi's mother takes his hand.
"Of course you did. Now we have to be getting home."
Down the street Ranma got the feeling he was missing something.
~ What's with people round here? ~ He wonders. ~ Everyone seems to stare at me. I
don't look that weird. ~ He checks himself. Male; wearing his usual red Chinese top and
black pants; hair in pigtail; carrying a large camping backpack.
Nope, he couldn't see anything wrong.
Checking his reflection in a window he stops, the other shoe dropping with all the force
of one of Ryoga's umbrellas.
In the shop window were posters, pictures, videos, trading cards and cuddly toys. Maybe
a wall scroll or two at the back there. But that wasn't the kicker.
Nearly all of them featured HIM.
~ That's why is it? Nabiki, you are gonna pay BIG time. And it won't just be me. ~
Ranma growled. Then he saw the kids joyfully playing with the toys. ~ Maybe you'll get
lucky Nabs. ~ He looked a bit more and paled at all the girls with posters of HIM. And
the boys with the picture books of his fights AND posters of 'Ranko'.
~ I'd...best be going. ~ He thought, disappearing quickly down an alley so he could
leap to the top of the buildings and roof-hop. Four fiances (Well three and a psycho
gymnast) were MORE than enough.
***
Ding-dong.
Michiru looked up in surprise at the sound of the doorbell. Putting down her book she
rose to answer the door.
~ I wonder who it is. ~ She thought as she opened the front door. And blinked.
"Hi there." The young man on the front step greeted her. "Does Hotaru Tomoe live
here?"
"Um..." Michiru wasn't quite certain what to make of this. "Y..yes she does. Do..do
you want to speak with her?"
"Please."
Michiru nodded. Had Hotaru entered some competition?
"Hotaru! You have a visitor!"
The purple-eyed young girl walk round the corner with a curious expression on her face.
Who could be asking for her? Then she saw HIM. Her idol.
HE looked at her.
"Hotaru?" HE asked.
She nodded dumbly. HE walked in and crouched down to look her in the eye, then smiled
at her. One of those smiles that could raise the pulse in anything female.
"Hi there. I'm your uncle Ranma."
Hotaru fainted.
***
The view resolved into the ceiling of the living room. She was lying down on the couch.
Why was she on the couch? Oh yes. She'd fainted. Why had she fainted...?
Hotaru bolted upright.
"Yeah, I've done that a few times myself Hotaru-chan." Ranma chucked at the wide-eyed
look on his nieces face.
~ Hotaru-chan? Ranma Saotome called me Hotaru-chan? MY idol called ME Hotaru-chan?!?
And HE'S MY UNCLE?!?!? ~
She turned to look at the concerned faces of her adoptive parents. There were other
emotions there. Shock and amazement on Michiru's; keen-eyed interest from Haruka's and a
smile and a nod from Setsuna. She turned back to Ranma. Her UNCLE Ranma.
"Uncle!" She cried in joy. And glomped him.
"Oof! Not bad." He gently put his arms around the young girl. "With a little practice
you'll be a match for Shampoo."
The elder women chuckled.
"We'll start teaching her Chinese then." Haruka smirked.
"No thanks." Ranma muttered. "I have enough trouble with Chinese Amazons." He looked
around. "I was told Hotaru-chan..." Said girl hugged him tighter. "...Was livin' with
her adopted parents."
"That's us." Haruka pointed to Michiru and herself.
Ranma gauged them with a critical eye. While they were waiting for the young girl to
wake up they had introduced themselves. Ranma had thought Haruka was a guy for a few
seconds, but the experience he had with cross dressers and feeling the decidedly female
chi coming from 'him' clued him in very quickly. Besides, he figured three full-grown
women (and he was VERY careful to only think of them that way) would know how to deal with
a young girl. AND Kasumi had managed it while much younger than these three.
"Nice to know she's been taken good care of."
Haruka blinked. She'd expected some sort of comment about them being too young or
something.
Setsuna felt eyes on her.
"I'm their housemate."
Ranma nodded. "Hotaru-chan, do you mind letting up a bit? I do need ta breath you
know."
Haruka sniggered.
"What do you expect? We only found out she had an uncle yesterday. Then you show up
and we find out her uncle is her idol."
Ranma winced.
"Yeah, I kinda saw all the stuff in the shops. Figures Nabiki'd do something like this
and not tell us."
"You didn't know?" Michiru asked surprised.
"Na. Nabiki wouldn't wanna lose profits."
"That sounds rather..."
"Mercenary?" Michiru nodded. "She ain't that bad. Some of it goes ta repair the Dojo.
Life ain't exactly easy on it."
"I thought all the craziness was made up myself." Setsuna commented.
"Knowin' Nabiki, she calmed it down probably."
All four of the ladies stared at him.
"What do ya know?"
Hotaru spoke up.
"Well, you've got four girlfriends..."
"Snort THAT'S wrong."
"...Several rivals for their affections..."
"Not that I wanted them."
"...An idiot for a father..."
"Oh THAT'S true. He wrecked my life."
"...A hentai old letch for a master..."
"HE ain't my master." Ranma growled.
"...Shampoo's great-grandma trying to get you to marry her, super powered martial arts
battles all the time..."
"It ain't all the time. There's the crazy plans and magical stuff."
The older women's eyes narrowed at that.
"...Ranko Tendo and her panda helping out..."
Ranma's eyes narrowed.
"...All the cute pets wandering around..."
"Eh?"
"...The fun school..."
"FUN?!?"
"...Wacky teachers..."
"Wacky? Try weirder than heck."
"...And all your friends."
"...Friends?" Ranma echoed faintly. "I don't think I have many friends."
There was silence for a few moments.
"So things are different from what we know." Haruka stated.
"Yeah, basically."
Before they could launch into a detailed Q&A session, Michiru's watch alarm went off.
The ladies groaned.
"We're supposed to meet the others in ten minutes." Michiru sighed.
Hotaru eep'ed and let go of Ranma before dashing off to her room.
"Well, that's one way to get her to let go." Setsuna noted.
"She will probably want you to go along." Michiru told Ranma.
"I don't know..."
"You'll agree." Haruka smiled slyly. "She'll use the 'look' on you. The problem is we
don't have enough space in the car for all of us."
"The 'look'?" Ranma asked weakly. "Wide, sparkling, puppy-dog eyes? Trembling lower
lip? Hand together, half praying half begging?"
Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna all solemnly nodded.
"Why me?" The martial artist sighed. "Did I anger some Kami in a past life or
somethin'?"
"Uncle Ranma?" Hotaru's hopeful voice came from behind him.
Sighing, he turned.
"Yes Hotaru-chan?" He asked.
"Will you come with us?" She went straight for the kill.
"Argh. OK, OK. Just turn it off will ya?" Ranma flustered.
Hotaru giggled and did so.
"Yep, I angered some Kami." Ranma muttered.
"Now that's sorted out, how are we going to get there?" Haruka asked. "My car doesn't
have enough room for all of us."
Ranma looked at what his niece was wearing. Long skirt, blouse and jumper. It'd do.
"Well if my devious niece here can lead me there..."
The girl giggled and nodded.
"...I can take her. You three go on ahead. I need to explain some things to Hotaru-
chan."
"OK." Haruka said uncertainly.
As the others left, Ranma turned his attention to his niece.
"Hotaru-chan?"
"Yes?" She looked up at him.
"Are you afraid of heights?"
***
"Is it just me, or does the day seem warmer all of a sudden?" Michiru asked wryly as
they rode to the meeting at the shrine.
"What the hell is it about him?" Haruka wondered. "No guy's EVER done that to me."
"He is...intriguing, isn't he?" Setsuna chuckled.
"I shudder to think what the others will say." Haruka grinned evilly.
"Ooo. Bad Girl." Michiru smirked.
"You like me that way, don't you?" Haruka replied slyly.
"Are you going to drive or initiate foreplay?" Setsuna asked blandly.
***
Hotaru was having the ride of her life as Ranma carried her over the rooftops.
"Which way from here?" He asked as he cleared the gap of a major street.
"That way!" She pointed. The young girl couldn't believe how fast they were covering
the distance. It DID have the advantage of going straight there.
***
"Well, this is a turn up for the books." Rei commented as the elder Senshi came in.
"The Senshi of Time is late."
Setsuna wisely said nothing.
"Sorry we're late, but something came up." Haruka apologised. "And your watch is fast
Rei."
"They're right Rei." Ami told the fire priestess. "They are right on time. You are
probably just used to them being here earlier."
Rei glared at the studious senshi. Why couldn't she ONCE win an argument with Haruka?
"Where's Hotaru?" Usagi asked.
"That is what came up." Setsuna stated. "She should be arriving..."
A faint shriek of laughter came from outside.
"Now." She finished.
Wondering what was going on, the Inner Senshi rose and made it to the door as Ranma
crested the hill. Barely touching down he cleared the courtyard to land a few metres in
front of the group.
"I wonder if this is how Setsuna usually feels?" Michiru whispered to Haruka.
As he put down a madly grinning Hotaru, the Inners got a good look at the person in
front of them.
"Am I seeing things?" Minako drooled.
"Only if you're seeing what I'm seeing." Makoto replied, eyeing the young man in front
of them hungrily.
Ami looked to the end of the courtyard, to Ranma, and back again.
"How...?" She had a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Oh wow." Usagi stared.
"Impressive." Mamoru nodded at the feat just performed.
Rei was trembling from the feelings of raw vitality rolling off the young man.
Still grinning hugely, Hotaru turned to the others.
"Hi everyone! Meet my uncle Ranma."
Five sets of eyes opened as wide as they would go, and Mamoru blinked.
"UNCLE?!?"
***
A technician looked up as one of the seismographs in Tokyo blipped an alert for a
second. Sighing, he wandered over.
~ A short, single, huge spike? ~ He blinked. ~ Weird. ~ He checked the maps. ~
Juuban? ~ Pondering for a few seconds, he shrugged. ~ Whatever. ~
Too bad for him that Nerima was monitored in the next room over, otherwise he'd have
recognised the event.
ANOTHER fic?!? ARGH!
OK, you can blame Nighthawk for this thing. He lives at:
Nighthawk's Fanfiction http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Quasar/6189/
I live at:
Cobalt's Fanfics http://www.lum.co.uk/cobalt/
C&C can be sent to [email protected] Flames will be used to heat
homes.
Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own the series depicted within, but go buy
them anyway.
Conventions:
~ ~ are used for thoughts and Telepathic communications.
#######
Uncles!
#######
########
Prologue
########
Hiroshi Kawasaka hated earthquakes. For a Japanese native, this wasn't too surprising.
But Hiroshi had a deeper, more personal reason to hate earthquakes. For you see, Hiroshi
worked in the Japanese National Records office. Now located in Tokyo, after the Kobe
earthquake destroyed the old site there, Hiroshi had the task of sorting all the recovered
records from the completely destroyed Family Registers section. Oh sure the families had
their own copies, as did the local offices, but this was the place where all the
government agencies came.
"Hum..." The clerk adjusted his glasses as he read the latest sheet in the pile. ~
Only ten more and this lot can go to the archive. Thank the Kami the Diet agreed to
computerise the records. ~
"OK. Professor Sokuke Tomoe (formerly Hibiki) married Kikimo Saotome. One daughter,
Hotaru." He mutters as he types. "Both rather young at the time I see. Sigh Young
love."
He finishes typing and hits return, committing the information to disc before turning to
the next page.
***
Setsuna Meioh (a.k.a. Sailor Pluto) was well versed in the detection of ripples in the
time stream. She could tell by the feel of the ripple what sort of problem had occurred.
However she was glad that the other Senshi were not around to see her attempt to hold
back laughter as an extremely ticklish feeling rolled down her spine.
She recovered quickly and checked the time stream. Nope, nothing. Shrugging to
herself, she went back to what she had been doing.
She never saw Crystal Tokyo flicker for a moment.
#########
Chapter 1
#########
Ranma Saotome was having a bad day. This was the norm for the pigtailed youth.
Attacks, abuse, glomps, weirdness and food. Can't forget the food, especially if Akane
made it.
And for once he'd wanted to learn at school. 'Knowledge is power', 'Know your enemy,
and know yourself', etc etc... It had been pounded into him over his time in Nerima that
a smart warrior is a better warrior. The problem was nobody seemed willing to let him
learn anything at school and, he reflected on his way back to the Tendo Dojo, he wasn't
likely to get anything done at home.
~ Sometimes I think the universe is out to get me. ~ Ranma thought morosely.
***
Kasumi looked up from her preparations at the sound of the phone ringing. Wondering who
it was as she wiped her hands, she walked over to the phone and answered.
"Hello, Tendo Dojo."
"Yes he lives here but..."
Kasumi was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
"Hi." Ranma's voice called out.
"He's just arrived." Kasumi said into the phone. "Could you wait a moment? Thank
you."
Ranma popped his head round the door from the kitchen.
"Hi Kasumi." Ranma greeted her. He was surprised to see her missing from the kitchen
at this time of day. "What's up?"
Kasumi beamed him one of her 'all is right with the world' smiles.
"Telephone call for you."
He looked at the older girl, then shrugged.
"Thanks." He took the phone from her and let her get back to cooking dinner. "Hello,
Ranma Saotome speaking."
"Yes they are my parents." ~ Although I wished Genma wasn't. ~ He added silently.
"Really? Do you have an address?" Ranma grabbed the notepad and pen Kasumi had made
sure was left by the phone and began scribbling down what he was told.
"Yes, I'll tell them. Thank you for telling us."
"Goodbye."
Ranma put the phone down. Then he carefully removed the top few sheets of the notepad
and tucked them in a pocket.
"Who was it Ranma?" Kasumi asked from the kitchen.
"Someone from the government confirming some things." Ranma had long learned to hold
back from telling Kasumi everything. Not that he didn't trust her; it was her sister he
didn't trust. Nabiki had a way of messing his life up worse than it was.
"I'll be upstairs for a bit." And with that he dashed off thinking one thing.
~ I'm an uncle?!? ~
***
In a nice house on the outskirts of Juuban another telephone conversation had just
finished. The sea green-hared lady who had answered it just stood there thoughtfully.
"Who was it?" A voice called from the next room, prodding the lady to walk back in.
"Someone from the adoption services."
The lady's companion, an extremely tomboyish young woman (and you could only tell
because her attributes were clear at the moment), looked up sharply and tensed.
"And?"
"They have located an uncle for Hotaru. He has the address so he will be contacting us
shortly." She then smiled. "But they won't be considering transferring her to his care.
Don't worry Haruka."
Haruka relaxed.
"That's good Michiru. I wouldn't want her upset over this."
"So how was your shopping trip?"
The blond sighed.
"She hit me with the 'look' while we were out."
"What did she get this time?" Michiru asked half resigned, half amused.
"A Ranko wall scroll." The short-hared blond replied. "I have to admit, she's not bad
looking."
Michiru glared at her. Haruka smirked back.
"Come off it love, I know you agree." As soon as the violinist assumed a mollified
expression, she continued. "Besides, You prefer Shampoo don't you?"
Michiru gaped. She'd believed THAT particular preference was a secret. Haruka just
chuckled at her expression.
"Humph. I bet you didn't know Setsuna has the Ranma and Ranko cuddly toys on her bed."
Michiru shot back at the racer.
"Really?" Came the surprised reply. "Which one does she prefer?"
"I can't decide." A third voice told them as the woman in question came into the room.
Her voice was half quoting as she stopped and posed. "I must have them both!"
The resulting giggle attack lasted five minutes.
"So." Setsuna started once they'd all calmed down. "I take it Hotaru's collection has
expanded once again?"
"Yes. A new wall scroll." Haruka shrugged. "I don't mind as it's helping her fit in
more at school."
Michiru smiled, then turned to the older woman.
"Setsuna, did you know Hotaru had an uncle still alive?"
The time senshi blinked.
"Oh? Interesting."
Haruka looked on incredulously.
"You mean you didn't?"
"Contrary to popular belief, I don't know everything." Setsuna explained tiredly. "I
limit myself to what knowledge is necessary to maintain the time stream. Anything more is
dangerous."
The other two women nodded sagely. It had been pounded into them how dangerous
foreknowledge of the future could be. Besides, Setsuna's statement caused them to relax
slightly. If she didn't know, it meant it was probably not a threat.
"Any information on this uncle?"
Michiru shook her head.
"Only that they've contacted him and he should be getting in touch soon."
Setsuna smiled.
"It will be a nice surprise for her."
***
The girl involved in these discussions was happily adjusting her posters so she could
fit her new wall scroll up without blocking anything. This wasn't as hard as was first
thought. Most of her posters were in her art portfolio books.
She wanted them in pristine condition.
However, her favourites were up there. Ranma working out in the Dojo's garden, Ranma in
a flying kick, a group shot of the Nerima Wrecking Crew, Akane malleting Kuno into orbit
and Ranko fighting her panda. Why she had a pet panda (not to mention how she managed to
keep it) was one of the mysteries surrounding Ranma and the gang.
Also up on the walls were three wall scrolls. Her new one of Ranko in a combat stance,
one of Ranma walking along the fence top and one with Ranma and Ryoga in mid-combat.
Hotaru stopped and looked around. On the bed there were a plush Panda and a plush cat
with lavender-coloured highlights. On the shelves were videos, trading cards (She was
missing the Doctor Tofu, Martial Arts Ice-skating match and the ultra-rare Gold Ranma
cards), picture books, the rest of the cuddly toy set and the art portfolios.
To say Hotaru Tomoe liked Ranma Saotome was like saying the sun was a bit hot.
~ One day I'll meet him. ~ The purple-eyed girl thought. ~ He's so confident, so
strong. Everybody likes him. ~ She took another look around her room.
~ One day. ~ She swore.
***
"Where is that BAKA!?!"
The terrible war cry echoed through the Tendo compound like the sound of a jumbo jet
flying full throttle 3 metres over the roof.
"Uh oh. This does not sound good." Ranma muttered to himself as he made his way down
to dinner. He resolved to try and keep his mouth shut.
That wasn't thunder you just heard. It was the sound of supernatural beings collapsing
in laughter.
~ The weather's acting up again. ~ A small part of Akane Tendo's mind noted. The
bulk of it was seething in rage. However the object of her 'affections' wasn't playing
fair by coming into the dining room completely silent. He merely nodded to those present
and took his place at the table.
Nabiki blinked. What was Ranma up to?
Surprisingly, dinner was a quiet affair. With Ranma not saying anything Akane didn't
mallet him, Genma and Soun didn't pester him and Nabiki had nothing to needle him over.
"Thank you for the meal Kasumi." Ranma nodded as the ladies cleared up.
"What's with you Ranma?" Akane exploded.
Ranma sighed.
"I just didn't fancy a malletin' today is all." He said as he got up. "Just 'cause you
can't control your temper don't mean it ain't your fault you can't see the truth."
WHAM!
"Stop insulting me Ranma!" Akane told the twitching mess under her mallet.
"That was uncalled for." Nodoka frowned at the young lady. Who didn't notice.
"This BAKA insults me WHAM!, hangs off those two floozies WHAMWHAM!, insults my
cooking WHAMWHAMWHAM!! and has the nerve to try and blame me?!?!
WHAMWHAMWHAMWHAM!!!!!.
"That's ENOUGH young lady." Kasumi told Akane.
"Humph." Akane dismissed her mallet and wandered off.
"I'll call Doctor Tofu." Nabiki sighed as Kasumi and Nodoka pealed Ranma off the floor.
And yet another day began winding down.
***
~ Why does that tomboy have to fly off the handle? ~ Ranma wondered as he pulled his
aching body up the stairs late that night. The good doctor had done what he could to heal
the vicious beating the youngest Tendo had inflicted on him.
~ Only Mom stood up for me, but even then she hid the fact I had an older sister. ~
He complained. ~ Maybe I'll go see this niece of mine. Yeah, that's what I'll do! ~
Slipping into his room, he got out his pack and started filling it Amazon-style using
what little Hidden weapons he had picked up from Mousse and the speed increase of the
Kachuu Tenshin Amaguriken. Once done he visited the kitchen for some food and left the
Dojo.
***
~ Hum. Let's see. ~ Ranma studied the map in the train station, comfortable with his
purchase of a thermos flask (now filled with hot water) to add to the pack on his back. ~
They live... Where is it? Ah ha! There it is. And I'm... Here. Right. Then I just
need to go past the park, up the high street... ~
"Help! Thief!"
Ranma casually stuck one of his feet back.
~ ...Along this street... ~
The would be thief ran towards the exit, inwardly smiling at the ease of the robbery
when he tripped.
~ ...Turn here, head up this road... ~ Ranma didn't notice the irate robber tripping,
or when he got up and saw his foot sticking back.
"Why you...!" He growled and lunged. Ranma deflected absently with one hand.
~ ...Up to here when I turn right... ~
The crowd looked on in wonder as the pigtailed martial artist defended himself without
turning away from the map. Finally Ranma grabbed the fist thrown at him and twisted it
(and the arm), pulling the robber closer.
~ ...And then over here... ~
The robber didn't know what hit him when a straight side kick to the midsection both
doubled him over and threw him three metres back before he touched the floor.
Ranma hadn't even wobbled.
~ ...Round here and in here. Right, that's simple enough. ~
The martial artist turned and walked away, not noticing the shocked looks of recognition
from the crowd.
***
~ OK. Here's the park. ~ Ranma thought as he landed from his leap over the fence.
A group of girls saw him as he walked through the park.
"Oh my..."
"Is that who I think it is?"
Ranma turned towards them slightly as he looked for landmarks.
"It is!" One squealed.
"He's more handsome in person..."
"He is A HUNK."
"That pigtail is so cute."
"I wonder what he looks like without his shirt?"
There was a group blush at that comment.
On the other side of the park, a gang of boys had also spotted the pigtailed youth.
"Hey guys, check it out!"
"Is that him?"
"Course it is. Look at how he moves."
"What about that back pack? It must weight a tonne."
"chuckle You're probably right, considering who we're talking about."
Both groups came to the same decision at the same time.
"We've got to meet him."
Meanwhile Ranma had been thinking.
~ OK, so that building is the tower. Over there is the statue. So I want to go that
way. ~ He paused. ~ And why is everyone staring at me? ~
Taking a few quick steps he jumped the pond, bounded over the heads of some small kids
into the trees then launched himself high into the sky to clear the park wall.
Everyone had uniform expressions of awe on their face as he disappeared.
"Wow! Did you see that?"
"That was cool!"
"I wanna know how he did that!"
***
~ It's down here to the end, then right. ~
Ranma bumped a small child, causing the child to drop his lollypop. Quick as a flash
Ranma caught it and presented it to the amazed child with a flourish.
"Sorry about that little guy." Seeing the young boy still gaping at him he chuckled.
"Don't worry about it." Ranma advised before straightening out and continuing on, patting
him on the head as he walks away.
"Yoshi!" A woman's voice calls and she comes up to the young boy.
"Mama I met Ranma!"
Smiling indulgently Yoshi's mother takes his hand.
"Of course you did. Now we have to be getting home."
Down the street Ranma got the feeling he was missing something.
~ What's with people round here? ~ He wonders. ~ Everyone seems to stare at me. I
don't look that weird. ~ He checks himself. Male; wearing his usual red Chinese top and
black pants; hair in pigtail; carrying a large camping backpack.
Nope, he couldn't see anything wrong.
Checking his reflection in a window he stops, the other shoe dropping with all the force
of one of Ryoga's umbrellas.
In the shop window were posters, pictures, videos, trading cards and cuddly toys. Maybe
a wall scroll or two at the back there. But that wasn't the kicker.
Nearly all of them featured HIM.
~ That's why is it? Nabiki, you are gonna pay BIG time. And it won't just be me. ~
Ranma growled. Then he saw the kids joyfully playing with the toys. ~ Maybe you'll get
lucky Nabs. ~ He looked a bit more and paled at all the girls with posters of HIM. And
the boys with the picture books of his fights AND posters of 'Ranko'.
~ I'd...best be going. ~ He thought, disappearing quickly down an alley so he could
leap to the top of the buildings and roof-hop. Four fiances (Well three and a psycho
gymnast) were MORE than enough.
***
Ding-dong.
Michiru looked up in surprise at the sound of the doorbell. Putting down her book she
rose to answer the door.
~ I wonder who it is. ~ She thought as she opened the front door. And blinked.
"Hi there." The young man on the front step greeted her. "Does Hotaru Tomoe live
here?"
"Um..." Michiru wasn't quite certain what to make of this. "Y..yes she does. Do..do
you want to speak with her?"
"Please."
Michiru nodded. Had Hotaru entered some competition?
"Hotaru! You have a visitor!"
The purple-eyed young girl walk round the corner with a curious expression on her face.
Who could be asking for her? Then she saw HIM. Her idol.
HE looked at her.
"Hotaru?" HE asked.
She nodded dumbly. HE walked in and crouched down to look her in the eye, then smiled
at her. One of those smiles that could raise the pulse in anything female.
"Hi there. I'm your uncle Ranma."
Hotaru fainted.
***
The view resolved into the ceiling of the living room. She was lying down on the couch.
Why was she on the couch? Oh yes. She'd fainted. Why had she fainted...?
Hotaru bolted upright.
"Yeah, I've done that a few times myself Hotaru-chan." Ranma chucked at the wide-eyed
look on his nieces face.
~ Hotaru-chan? Ranma Saotome called me Hotaru-chan? MY idol called ME Hotaru-chan?!?
And HE'S MY UNCLE?!?!? ~
She turned to look at the concerned faces of her adoptive parents. There were other
emotions there. Shock and amazement on Michiru's; keen-eyed interest from Haruka's and a
smile and a nod from Setsuna. She turned back to Ranma. Her UNCLE Ranma.
"Uncle!" She cried in joy. And glomped him.
"Oof! Not bad." He gently put his arms around the young girl. "With a little practice
you'll be a match for Shampoo."
The elder women chuckled.
"We'll start teaching her Chinese then." Haruka smirked.
"No thanks." Ranma muttered. "I have enough trouble with Chinese Amazons." He looked
around. "I was told Hotaru-chan..." Said girl hugged him tighter. "...Was livin' with
her adopted parents."
"That's us." Haruka pointed to Michiru and herself.
Ranma gauged them with a critical eye. While they were waiting for the young girl to
wake up they had introduced themselves. Ranma had thought Haruka was a guy for a few
seconds, but the experience he had with cross dressers and feeling the decidedly female
chi coming from 'him' clued him in very quickly. Besides, he figured three full-grown
women (and he was VERY careful to only think of them that way) would know how to deal with
a young girl. AND Kasumi had managed it while much younger than these three.
"Nice to know she's been taken good care of."
Haruka blinked. She'd expected some sort of comment about them being too young or
something.
Setsuna felt eyes on her.
"I'm their housemate."
Ranma nodded. "Hotaru-chan, do you mind letting up a bit? I do need ta breath you
know."
Haruka sniggered.
"What do you expect? We only found out she had an uncle yesterday. Then you show up
and we find out her uncle is her idol."
Ranma winced.
"Yeah, I kinda saw all the stuff in the shops. Figures Nabiki'd do something like this
and not tell us."
"You didn't know?" Michiru asked surprised.
"Na. Nabiki wouldn't wanna lose profits."
"That sounds rather..."
"Mercenary?" Michiru nodded. "She ain't that bad. Some of it goes ta repair the Dojo.
Life ain't exactly easy on it."
"I thought all the craziness was made up myself." Setsuna commented.
"Knowin' Nabiki, she calmed it down probably."
All four of the ladies stared at him.
"What do ya know?"
Hotaru spoke up.
"Well, you've got four girlfriends..."
"Snort THAT'S wrong."
"...Several rivals for their affections..."
"Not that I wanted them."
"...An idiot for a father..."
"Oh THAT'S true. He wrecked my life."
"...A hentai old letch for a master..."
"HE ain't my master." Ranma growled.
"...Shampoo's great-grandma trying to get you to marry her, super powered martial arts
battles all the time..."
"It ain't all the time. There's the crazy plans and magical stuff."
The older women's eyes narrowed at that.
"...Ranko Tendo and her panda helping out..."
Ranma's eyes narrowed.
"...All the cute pets wandering around..."
"Eh?"
"...The fun school..."
"FUN?!?"
"...Wacky teachers..."
"Wacky? Try weirder than heck."
"...And all your friends."
"...Friends?" Ranma echoed faintly. "I don't think I have many friends."
There was silence for a few moments.
"So things are different from what we know." Haruka stated.
"Yeah, basically."
Before they could launch into a detailed Q&A session, Michiru's watch alarm went off.
The ladies groaned.
"We're supposed to meet the others in ten minutes." Michiru sighed.
Hotaru eep'ed and let go of Ranma before dashing off to her room.
"Well, that's one way to get her to let go." Setsuna noted.
"She will probably want you to go along." Michiru told Ranma.
"I don't know..."
"You'll agree." Haruka smiled slyly. "She'll use the 'look' on you. The problem is we
don't have enough space in the car for all of us."
"The 'look'?" Ranma asked weakly. "Wide, sparkling, puppy-dog eyes? Trembling lower
lip? Hand together, half praying half begging?"
Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna all solemnly nodded.
"Why me?" The martial artist sighed. "Did I anger some Kami in a past life or
somethin'?"
"Uncle Ranma?" Hotaru's hopeful voice came from behind him.
Sighing, he turned.
"Yes Hotaru-chan?" He asked.
"Will you come with us?" She went straight for the kill.
"Argh. OK, OK. Just turn it off will ya?" Ranma flustered.
Hotaru giggled and did so.
"Yep, I angered some Kami." Ranma muttered.
"Now that's sorted out, how are we going to get there?" Haruka asked. "My car doesn't
have enough room for all of us."
Ranma looked at what his niece was wearing. Long skirt, blouse and jumper. It'd do.
"Well if my devious niece here can lead me there..."
The girl giggled and nodded.
"...I can take her. You three go on ahead. I need to explain some things to Hotaru-
chan."
"OK." Haruka said uncertainly.
As the others left, Ranma turned his attention to his niece.
"Hotaru-chan?"
"Yes?" She looked up at him.
"Are you afraid of heights?"
***
"Is it just me, or does the day seem warmer all of a sudden?" Michiru asked wryly as
they rode to the meeting at the shrine.
"What the hell is it about him?" Haruka wondered. "No guy's EVER done that to me."
"He is...intriguing, isn't he?" Setsuna chuckled.
"I shudder to think what the others will say." Haruka grinned evilly.
"Ooo. Bad Girl." Michiru smirked.
"You like me that way, don't you?" Haruka replied slyly.
"Are you going to drive or initiate foreplay?" Setsuna asked blandly.
***
Hotaru was having the ride of her life as Ranma carried her over the rooftops.
"Which way from here?" He asked as he cleared the gap of a major street.
"That way!" She pointed. The young girl couldn't believe how fast they were covering
the distance. It DID have the advantage of going straight there.
***
"Well, this is a turn up for the books." Rei commented as the elder Senshi came in.
"The Senshi of Time is late."
Setsuna wisely said nothing.
"Sorry we're late, but something came up." Haruka apologised. "And your watch is fast
Rei."
"They're right Rei." Ami told the fire priestess. "They are right on time. You are
probably just used to them being here earlier."
Rei glared at the studious senshi. Why couldn't she ONCE win an argument with Haruka?
"Where's Hotaru?" Usagi asked.
"That is what came up." Setsuna stated. "She should be arriving..."
A faint shriek of laughter came from outside.
"Now." She finished.
Wondering what was going on, the Inner Senshi rose and made it to the door as Ranma
crested the hill. Barely touching down he cleared the courtyard to land a few metres in
front of the group.
"I wonder if this is how Setsuna usually feels?" Michiru whispered to Haruka.
As he put down a madly grinning Hotaru, the Inners got a good look at the person in
front of them.
"Am I seeing things?" Minako drooled.
"Only if you're seeing what I'm seeing." Makoto replied, eyeing the young man in front
of them hungrily.
Ami looked to the end of the courtyard, to Ranma, and back again.
"How...?" She had a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Oh wow." Usagi stared.
"Impressive." Mamoru nodded at the feat just performed.
Rei was trembling from the feelings of raw vitality rolling off the young man.
Still grinning hugely, Hotaru turned to the others.
"Hi everyone! Meet my uncle Ranma."
Five sets of eyes opened as wide as they would go, and Mamoru blinked.
"UNCLE?!?"
***
A technician looked up as one of the seismographs in Tokyo blipped an alert for a
second. Sighing, he wandered over.
~ A short, single, huge spike? ~ He blinked. ~ Weird. ~ He checked the maps. ~
Juuban? ~ Pondering for a few seconds, he shrugged. ~ Whatever. ~
Too bad for him that Nerima was monitored in the next room over, otherwise he'd have
recognised the event.