Chapter 2

Rainstorms are frequent during this time of year so it is not really out of place to the denizens of Tokyo. However, to one group of family and friends it couldn't come at a worse time. The Tendos, Saotomes, and the Ono's (including Hinako) were all sitting around the waiting room waiting for a response from the doctor presiding over Kimiko's care. Out of all the people waiting, Soun was taking it the hardest. His daughters seeing him in grief and wondering where there mother was started to get upset. Nodoka, Ibuki and Hinako tried their best to console them, but with Soun being so distraught it was hard to keep the tension down and the girls placated.

"Auntie, why is Tousan crying?" pleaded the 5 year old girl with red-brown hair as she looked up to the woman, with the reddish brown hair in a bun, holding her in her lap. The said girl had a forlorn expression on her face, while her eyes watered due to uncertainty.

"Don't worry about your father Nabiki-chan. He is just a little upset right now", replied Ranma's mother, as she lightly rocked the timid child in her lap. Looking down at her, the wife of Genma realized just how quiet she was compared to her other sister Akane whom was crying like all hell broke loose while Hinako-san held her. The Saotome matriarch could tell that this Nabiki would grow up to be a very beautiful and intelligent woman. She could tell by watching how the little girl's eyes seem to wander and take everything in.

"Where is mommy, is she hurt? Is daddy crying over mommy?" sobbed Nabiki as she glance up at Nodoka, looking for some kind of insurance. 'She is too observant, way too smart for a child' thought the aunt, now full-time mother of Ibuki, as she contemplated on what to say to calm the pint size girl down. Luckily for her, Ibuki came to her rescue.

"Your mom is going to be okay Nabs, she is just a little sick."

The said toddler took offense to that as she retorted out loud, "My name is NA-BI-KI", forgetting all about her questioning of the situation, the middle triplet, by 1 minute and 45 seconds, regarded the young kunoichi with a cover of agitation. Ibuki realized that the one thing Nabiki hated most was people calling her by names such as, Biki, Nabs, and Nabi-chan. Only her mother could call her by those names. She was almost like Ranma in that regard but a little bit more so, due to the fact that Ranma seemed to just accept it since he knew he couldn't do anything about it. Nabiki wasn't like that. Even though she was quiet and sharp-eyed, she still had little things that broke her stance such as chocolate ice cream.

"Hey how about some ice cream, Nabs. You too Kaschan and Tochan" said Ibuki enthusiastically, trying to cheer up the little ones in the waiting room. Kasumi, the oldest triplet, just silently nodded her head, blinking away the little rivulets of tears, as she scooted off Ibuki's lap. Tofu was sitting next to his father and made his way to the trio once he heard about getting some ice-cream. He was glad that Ibuki was taking them somewhere because he was bored just sitting around doing nothing. Being only 9 years old and not a member of the Tendo family, Tofu felt a little out of place with all of gloominess.

"Sure, I would like some ice-cream. Thanks Ibuki-san."

"No problem. Come on lets go guys."

"I want chocolate ice cream, and my name is Na-bi-ki" squeaked the little girl as she reluctantly held her hand up for Ibuki to take. Ibuki only response was to laugh as she used her other arm to take Kasumi hand, while they walk off to the cafeteria, along with Tofu. Ibuki felt like Tofu to an extent. She too was kind of uneasy being surrounded by sadness and not knowing how to handle it. She didn't want to seem like she was indifferent to the problem at hand; it was simply that she wasn't as close to everyone present. The only thing the young kunoichi could try was to put herself in the same situation as these girls at both her sides. Even though she lost her mother at a very young age, she wasn't close enough to know her or feel any loss. As far a she was concerned Nodoka was her mother and that was that. She knew her father, since she was raised by him, but the pain of not seeing him didn't affect her as much as it did before. She just hoped that some miracle would happen to make this all better.

After helping the future wife of Ono-san calm Akane down, Nodoka became conscious that her wayward son did not make his presence known yet. She chastised herself for not asking her daughter where Ranma might be. The close friend to Kimiko felt a little guilty about worrying about her son more than the welfare of Soun's wife, however, her child came first, not to mention that the said child would have to leave her nest due to his "abnormalities".

"Aki, would you know wh........" said Nodoka inaudibly as she stood near him next to the window overlooking the city landscape of downtown Tokyo.

"You are wondering where Ranma is? Don't worry he is in there with Kimiko- san" replied the doctor calmly.

"Nani?!"

"Somehow he is in the emergency room and the doctors can't sense him. It will only be a matter of time before they catch him and bring him to us. That son of yours sure is something, and just to think he will be only be six by the end of next month. " chuckled Aki as he glanced at Soun from his position. The said doctor then frowned when he looked at him and made his way to whisper in Nodoka's ear. Nodoka at the moment was pondering if the doctors would be lucky enough to spot him. She just hoped that her son didn't do anything foolish to get in the way of Kimiko-san operation.

"Take a look at Soun, do you see anything off about him."

"No, he seems a very upset and angry, but who wouldn't be given the situation he is in?"

"No his aura is a little out of place. He is almost giving off a battle aura."

Nodoka kept an eye on Soun carefully, noticing that even her errant husband couldn't calm him down. Detecting the enraged scowl behind the tears, Nodoka realized that Soun was a tad bit too irate to be angry at some gods. Soun was a sensitive and emotional man by nature, which was one of the things that Kimiko liked about him. He wasn't as gruff as other men, especially for a martial artist. He had a rather soft heart. This however wasn't the same person. The husband of the Kimiko looked liked a man possessed. But the question that bothered the mother of Ibuki was why though.

"I'm not a psychic like your son, but Soun seems pretty angry for someone who should be mourning over his wife. It almost looks as if he wants to murder someone" remarked the chiropractor as he too observed the Master of the Tendo School of Anything Goes Martial Arts.

"Let me go talk to him" said Nodoka as she turn away from Aki

"I do not think it is a good idea. I mean look at how he pushed Genma away when he tried to calm him down."

"I am sure that I will be able to get through to him. It seems if though he is angry at something like I should be 'doctor'"

"Now hold on what is that supposed to mean"

"It means that you knew about Kimiko's condition. And you didn't tell anyone about it."

"She didn't want to tell anyone about it. Heck she told me that she had cancer. I didn't even find out through her last physical."

"I find that hard to believe, doctor"

"Hey what is going on" said the young school teacher as she made her way to the arguing people.

"Nothing for you to concern yourself with Hina-chan, it just I am very crossed with your husband to be right now" replied Nodoka with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"About what?" question Hinako as she awkwardly glanced at both her friend and fiancé.

"Did you know that Kimi-chan was sick? Mr. Chiropractor knew all along and didn't tell anyone. For what reason did you do that? You think you are so fantastic that you can save everybody's lives. Mr. High and Mighty?" said the peeved woman as she poked Aki in the chest.

"Hey calm down. I knew about it too. Kimi said that she didn't want you to know. Why I have no idea, but that is the truth honest" countered Hinako as she tried to intervene before this situation got out of hand.

"Why don't we all calm down, ne. We don't want to wake up precious Akane again, now do we? Plus, we are supposed to be trying to support Soun in his family in his time of need" stated the bandanna clad martial artist, while he was holding Akane in his arms.

"I'm sorry Nodoka that I had to keep Kimiko's condition secret from you, but that's something my patient, at the time, requested of me, just like one of my OTHER patients" said the father of Tofu Ono.

Not missing the hidden message in Aki's speech, Nodoka calmly got herself together and apologize for her conduct. "I apologize if I offended you, Aki it is just with all this stuff going on, Kimiko, Ranma... I do not know what to do."

"I understand. I am just glad that you don't have that katana of yours", joked Aki as he watched the Saotome Matriarch brighten a bit.

Everyone had to laugh at that, even Genma (Though he became disturbingly nervous when Ono-sensei mentioned his wife family blade). For Aki he wasn't in the least bit concerned of his fiancé's friend's outburst. If his best friend was in the same situation, he would probably get a little hotheaded at everyone. What did concerned him however was that during this whole argument, Soun was still pacing solemnly back and forth with that face anguish and frustration. He would have thought that Soun would be highly upset that he withheld is wife situation and condition from him. As a matter of fact, he was surprised that he wasn't thrown through the window. Aki was an accomplished martial artist himself however he didn't think that he would be able to withstand an enraged fighter pure of "righteous fury". With that in mind, he walked over to him, with a sense of trepidation, to see how the father of the Tendo triplets was holding up.

"I am not angry with you know" said Soun, startling the family doctor from his thoughts. The weird thing was is that he said that without turning around to acknowledge him. This was serious.

"You are not. I mean I would if I was in your situation. If something like that happen to Hinako, I'll..."

"No I am not. I understand" said the owner of the Tendo Dojo as slowly turned around to look at the doctor.

"I am sure that Kimi-chan, wanted everyone to feel as if she's okay"

"I'm sorry for keeping...What did you just say?"

"I am sure that Kimi-chan thought that she would overcome this. She just wanted to protect everyone" said Soun as he choked down a sob. That was quickly replaced with that angry scowl from before. Taking a good look at his fellow martial artist's disposition, the son of Kin Ono, came to one conclusion.

"You knew didn't you?" question Aki as he watched the array of emotions play across Soun's face. When he didn't get a response he asked another question. "Why didn't you take her to a real doctor?" Aki's voice was becoming really stern at the moment. Maybe it was due to the fact that Nodoka was about to chew him out and he need some little reprisal. Whatever it was, Aki felt as though something was up with this situation, because it smelt foul. Foul indeed.

"That is not of your concern, Aki-sensei. Just know this if you couldn't save Kimi-chan then I knew no one could save her."

"What are you getting at I mean I would like to think myself as a good doctor but by no way am I that good. I just know some shiatsu and traditional little known remedies. I cannot provide all the technology and medicine that this facility can provide or even solve most of the problems that these professionals face daily"

"These people CAN NOT save my wife!"

"What! Hmm...You knew that your wife didn't have cancer. What did she have? How did she get it?"

"I do not know. I was hoping you would find that out."

"How in the hell can I find out about something when I do not know what to look for. There is something you are not telling me. Your wife is dying right now and if you want to try to save her I suggest you start talking"

"I have nothing to say to you. Now leave me alone or else" stated Soun as he walked away from Aki. Seeing his friend departure Genma made his way to him to give him some company. Meanwhile Aki was left spellbound. He wasn't sure that he could keep dealing with all of these furtive topics. He needed either some aspirin or info to clear his head. He had a feeling that the latter wouldn't come so he went to get some aspirin.

West of Tokyo, near the ocean front around the outskirts of Osaka, a middle aged man in a samurai styled straw hat with a long staff, walked along the beach with his five year old pupil. The man's attire consisted of a loose white ninja outfit underneath a blue overlapped vest. Around the vest was a woven band of straw and around his neck was a set of red beads. His staff was topped off with a large silver ring adorned with smaller rings hanging inside. As he slowly step on the dry sand, his charge was gleefully running across the wet sand below him kicking and splashing up water as he went. The boy was dress in a similar loose white ninja outfit. However he didn't have on a vest nor did he have his unruly hair covered by some straw hat.

"Ryuou please get out of that water. It is too cold for you to be playing in" commanded the older man as he lifted up his hat to peer at the older boy.

"But grandpa, it is not that c...cold. I...it is fun" replied Ryuou energetically. Even though the kid was having a good time, the older man could tell that his grandson was getting chilly. He could practically see his teeth chattering. While they were near the western southern tip of the largest island of Japan, the time of year was during the first week of January, so the water was still wintry.

"Ryu-chan, you are going to get sick if you stay in the water, and if you get sick you won't be able to go to Tokyo to see your mother."

"Momma?!" squeaked the little boy as he muffled a tiny sneeze. Wanting to go on the trip to see is mother, the little boy named Ryuou ran to his grandfather's side.

"Yes, your mother. I know that you don't remember much but it is okay, but first we need to go somewhere first."

"Okay", replied the boy cheerfully. The boy was to young to understand what was going on, only being the age of 5, but he really looked up to his grandpa. He thought that he was pretty nice and he enjoyed the times that he showed him some of his tricks. Even though they were hard to do, after every achievement of learning a new "trick", his grandfather would give him a smile that said he was proud of him. Somehow, Ryuou unconsciously strived to make his grandfather keep smiling at him. Unbeknown to him his grandfather would always smile at him and give him words of encouragement. For a grandfather, the man in the straw hat was fairly young. He barely past at being a grand father, however, that was due to the fact that he had a child, a son actually at the age of 22, and looking down at the kid below him, you could tell that his son had him at fairly young age also. The older man was wary in training Ryuou in the ways of the Seiden Mutou Ryu, due to his heritage, and plus the fact the boy was still young. However the man could tell that the young Ryuou had a pure heart.

'I never thought that two younglings of the infamous Jin clan would be my grandsons' said the man to him self, as he looked down at the boy, who was now throwing rocks in the rising tide of the beach. 'I will just have to help raise them until I am sure that they are not immoral'

The duo continued to walk until they came upon a fairly old cottage. Walking up to the cottage, the grandson opened the door after his grandfather unlocked it and went in as his grandfather took off his hat. Rubbing his right hand across his bald head, he noticed that it would be a chilly night soon. Turning to the east, the retired ninja and fighter felt a chill down his back.

'An omen...or perhaps a miracle in the making', thought the man to himself. As he turned around to enter his oceanfront home, he heard his grandson's laughter inside, along with some other voices. 'Who is in my home I wonder' said the man as he walked in through the door. Looking towards left hall, he noticed no sound was coming from the kitchen. Thinking that whoever was here probably would of came through the front door the man let his hat hang on his back around his neck as he opened the shogi door to the living room. Walking around the medium size tea table, the owner of this house looked at the foyer to see the back of his grandson's head. He was about to scold him about opening the doors to strangers when he notice him turning around with a big smile on his face.

"Grandpa! Grandpa!" shouted the boy as he jumped up and down. "Look"

"What is it?" said the older man, bending down to pat the boy on head, hoping to calm him down. "You know you shouldn't have open the door right"

"Sorry Grandpa" said the boy as he had the sense enough to look down at his feet. Not one to break the mood of his charge, the fairly aged man with a light chuckle, asked what all the fuss was about. The said boy just beamed happily as he pointed up to the front door. At the front door was a young girl around the aged of 11 in a white female gi top and blue samurai pants, standing in front of who is assumed as her father. The father is dressed in similar fashion however; he wore a red chest plate over his gi and had black samurai pants.

"Well if it isn't the super-ninja" said the bald headed man looking at his guest, "And how are you doing today, Kasumi-chan"

"Very well, Mochizuki-san, thank you" replied the girl with long bluish black hair.

"A splitting image of your mother, how is Aoi by the way."

"She is doing fine."

"That's good to hear, still practicing in the art?"

"Yes, I am the best" replied the long blue hair girl as she lightly karate chopped Ryuou on the head, Hiyah!"

"One day I am going to beat you", countered the young boy as he swatted Kasumi's hand away.

"I do not think so smurf", retorted the daughter of the man wearing the red chest plate.

"I am not a smurf"

"Well come on if you think you are not a 'smurf', smurf", said Kasumi tauntingly as she ran through the front door.

"Kasumi, you all be careful" stated her father as he watched her daughter being chased by the smaller boy.

"Okay Dad" was the far off reply as the man with long black hair, with brown roots turned to his host, "I need to talk to you, somewhere confidential"

"I would assume so Ryuhaku" replied the bald head man as he turned around and enter the rest of the living room, looking at the tea table, he was reminded to offer his guest tea.

"Would you like some tea?" mentioned the man in a blue vest

"Yes, thank would be great Sokaku, I need to calm my nerves", answered the Kobujutsu master as he sat down near the tea table trying to calm himself.

Hearing the distress of his friend's voice, Sokaku Mochizuki quickly prepared the tea. Placing the tea on a tray, he entered the living room.

"Hey, Ryuhaku follow me to the study. We will be more exclusive there."

"Sure"

As the duo made their way through the halls of Mochizuki-san's beach house, Ryuhaku was pondering if his friend could reveal any information that could help him. He was no longer a target, due to his ingenuity and craftiness, however, his friends were in trouble and he did not know how to help them without revealing his true identity. Arriving in the small library, Sokaku carefully set the tray on a small mahogany table between two opposite chairs. Taking the seat to the right next to a set of books behind him on a desk, he motioned for Ryuhaku to take a seat.

"Tell me what is on your mind Todoh-san" said Sokaku as he sipped from his tea cup.

Feeling the wisps of heat coming from the tea, the father of Kasumi Todoh was broken from his trance, when his associate spoke.

"What was that?" asked the disturbed man as he nervously looked at his fellow colleague.

"You seem very distracted. That is not like you. What is going on?" affirmed the man in the blue vest as he continued to sip his tea.

"It is DOATEC again. I thought they were destroyed during the Cold War."

"Hmm, I figured as much. The answer to the Human Genome Project is still up and running" replied, the grandfather of two children of Jin decent. He had introspective look when he spoke and grab a few books from his desk behind him before sitting back down.

"Not only that but the body of the 'immortal one' was not found," stated the former champion of the Art of Fighting Tournament. The owner of the ocean front home stiffened at that remark.

"NANI?!, That can't be possible. He couldn't have survived that fall unless..."

"Unless what? He had the scrolls"

"He didn't have the scrolls", remarked the bald man as he rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger of his left hand.

"How do you know that, he could have made a copy of them?" questioned Ryuhaku looking for some sort of indemnity to this situation.

"If he had he would have made his move already. Mr. Howard is deceptive and cruel but not patient. It is not like him to wait. He's probably trying to rebuild his empire. So what does this have to do with anything?"

"You remember when I married Aoi right" recollected the Master of the Todoh school of Kobujutsu."

"You mean Kasumi Musashi, sister of Hayate Musashi, former heir of the Mugen Tenshin Style, right?" responded Sokaku with a smirk on his face.

"This is serious. Remember when Aoi..."

"You mean Kasumi"

"Yes, yes, Kasumi when she was captured by DOATEC to have her DNA sampled."

"Yeah, I recall that. She was cloned along with her brother. So?"

"That clone of Kasumi escaped DOATEC's confines years ago, I found out when I was tracing Takuma"

"What is with you and my son's obsession with the Sakazaki family?"

"What is with your obsession with the Shiranui Family" countered the husband of the former runaway kunoichi.

"Point taken, however, how we are suppose to find this woman now."

"We won't have to. Someone by the name of Gai Tendo, a friend of Takuma Sakazaki, is looking for her to make sure she doesn't pass down any secrets concerning DOATEC"

"I am sure that there is some time released disease in her DNA that will kill her. She is totally dispensable."

"Not necessarily. What if she had any offspring? That disease would not affect them," stated Ryuhaku as he handed his friend a manila folder from under his red chest plate. The man with the long black hair and thick mustache watched Mochizuki as he flipped through the contents briefly. Hoping to get some sort of shocking response from his comrade, he was a little thrown off when the wily sorcerer calmly sipped his tea and looked at him with a neutral expression.

"Okay Hayabusa, I think it is time that you revealed what you know about the Mugen Tenshin Style and why it is so coveted" stated Mochizuki-san as he looked at his guest with a smile on his face "And the history between you and Hayate, and your relationship with Takuma."

"Only if you tell me your secrets, I find it hard to believe that you have none" countered Ryuhaku Todoh, former known as Ryu Hayabusa, as glanced at his friend with the same smirk on his face.

"I see that we that we are at a stalemate", stated the sorcerer as he took another sip from his tea.

"I guess so", noted the former ninja as he sat a little more relaxed. He was pretty sure he had someone on his side to help him. Even though he had dedicated his life to stop evil and such, he now had a family and he wanted to be able to live in peace without all of this excitement.

"Deal then. You will tell me about your past and I will tell you about my past, then we solve this threat. I will go first" stated Sokaku as he opened one of his books, placing his tea to the right side by doing so.

"Very well" said the husband of the woman formerly known as Kasumi Musashi, now know as Aoi Todoh. He then decided to get comfortable so he could give his total attention to his acquaintance.

"I better start from the beginning. As for my name Mochizuki, it was my mother last name. I am a direct descendant of the great Mochizuki Saburo Kameie, also known as Koga Oni No Kami Kameie. His son first named as Mochizuki Saburo II Iechika, latter known as Koga Oni No Kami Iechika, was the founder of Koga style Ninjitsu. As you can see my descendants changed there name from Mochizuki to Koga due to the fact that they held the Koga province in 11 century Japan. The Koga clan was strong up until the 17th century. Both the Koga-ryu and Iga-ryu was inducted in the Tokugawa Shogunate. However during that time the Iga-ryu which were our rivals were primary. The Koga clan never wanted to be in the Shogunate, for we didn't trust that government at that time. Unlike the Iga, we always were treacherous, playing the good soldier while at the same time stabbing the government in the back. We were the only clan that could defeat the great Hanzo Hattori, and Musashi Miyamoto. However during the fall of the Shogunate and rise of the imperialists the Koga style slowly withered away and was merged with the Iga Style-ryu. While similar to the Iga in terms of movement there is one thing that separated us from the rest."

"What was that?" questioned Ryuhaku, trying not to sound intrigued, but slightly failing.

"It was the fact that we could to this" calmly stated Sokaku as he moved his hand toward a glass mural on the table. By pointing and marking a line on the glass quickly, without touching it, he was able to cut a sheet of papyrus paper on the far end of the left wall, behind the transparent mural. Astounded by that display, Ryuhaku almost dropped his cup as he was drinking his tea.

"How in the hell can you do that?" question the father of Kasumi Todoh as he glanced at the wall with amazement. "A ki attack that can go through matter and hit its supposed target?"

"Now that is a secret, both the Iga and Koga ryu used all five elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void, which was a sort of a representation of the 6th sense, however we have something better than a 6th element, a seventh sense, more or less."

"That is a bunch of Buddhist Philosophy, what does that have to do with your style", commented the rival of Takuma Sakazaki with an incredulous look on his face, "There is no such thing as a 7th sense"

"I find that an accomplish ninja as yourself to be adamant about this is beyond belief. How about I show you this then." With that, the sorcerer lifted his left hand and emitted a tennis ball sized orb of electricity which spread to about the size of a soccer ball in his palm."

"So what is so great about that" said the former best friend of Hayate Musashi. He was impressed with his friend's showcase of power however over the years but he too could harness chi and convert it to mana so that was no big thing.

"I know that you are thinking this is chi or ki. Sorry this is neither. It is more or less universal in its properties. By combining my conscious sense with the flow of my body and energy, I can harness an energy source that has no shape, definition, or classification." The globe of electricity in his left hand all of sudden solidified into solid ice. "Most people use emotions to accomplish this. You probably would say that harnessing ice you need to be free of emotional chi. That is false. Ice correlates to a cold emotion such as apathy, laziness, or sadness. There is no such thing as being totally free from thought; therefore it is not possible to harness what most people conceive of as pure 'Ki', unless you are using the ki outside you."

"So what this has to due with this 'seventh sense'".

"Everything. As humans we have the ability to consciously and rational control things on a physical sense level. However we can also rationally control our mind somewhat, that is why we cannot only harness ki and chi but make it take shape."

"I can understand that"

"Okay, the mind is a void. It holds a different type of energy, such as other organs in your body. When in recuperation the body automatically replenishes different types of energy for each part of your body. That energy might go to strengthen your immune system or senses. However the body is not a void. It can't hold infinite amounts of energy. Therefore it has limitations. The mind is a void however it is within the body. You have to break through its limitations. The soul is eternal in its nature, therefore there aren't any limits. The soul uses the mind to operate the body. But this takes time to even master this. One who is able to master this can transcend human life to the astral. The body as a result has no limits. I can't even do this. Plus it is dangerous for your soul could be lost without proper guidance. Much like what happen when I siphon some of the power from the Jin twins. I became evil. Only through my son and grandson have I been able to get back on the path."

"I think I understand now. I thought that the last known master of the Koga- ryu was Fujita Seiko"

"That was false. All he knew was the forms not the higher arts like I do. My son is more of a master than he ever was."

"You mean Geki Mochizuki, right"

"Yes but I need to tell you something else. As you know I am a sorcerer, descendant of the Koga-ryu and rival to the Shiranui Clan, however I am also a supposedly a rival to Sakazaki as well.

"Your son sure is. He hates them more than I."

"I was born as Zeku Kisaragi, Sokaku is my middle name. My son is named Eiji Kisaragi he uses an alias of Geki. He is also my second son, hence the name Eiji".

"..." was the silent reply as the father of Kasumi was shocked out of this world.

"I think that I've said enough for now. Now you see why I want the "immortal one" and why he hates Takuma and Ryo so much. However, they are just pawns. The true enemy is the former."

"But...never mind. I see I am not the only one who has changed identities. But let me ask you this question what clan did Kisaragi originate from?"

"The Fuma clan and Iga clan"

"The Fuma was a bunch of pirates from all over, China, Korea, Japan...they were speculated to have killed Hattori Hanzo."

"Because the Iga clan was using secrets of what is was rumored to be from the Lin Kuei or Ikai clans. The Fuma is the Japanese spawn of the Lin Kuei. There is a group in China called the Hizoku I believe that has continued the ways of those aforementioned groups.

"Shimatta, I thought I knew ninjutsu. Your son must be real powerful then right"

"No, his emotions cloud his judgment. In terms of techniques, he is almost unbeatable but he no longer has the focus. I have failed to reach him in that department as of late."

"Hmm, I see."

"So Hayabusa it is your turn."

"Okay, as you very well know I was trained from an offspring of the Iga- ryu. My clan was not necessarily a rival to the Mugen Tenshin or ally; however I was once the best friend to one of the heirs of the Mugen Tenshin Clan, his name was Hayate. I myself was pretty verse in the mystic and magic arts however I felt as though my time of fighting against fiends and demons and such had come to an end. When I heard that one of the heirs of the Mugen Tenshin Style was being hunted down, I went in to investigate. Kasumi was the one. Defeating Tengu and helping stomp out DOATEC's Genra creation, spawned from Epsilon and Omega Projects, I went on to just defeating DOATEC completely, or so I thought afterwards I fell in love with Kasumi and name our daughter after her for she...we had to change our identities. The DOATEC organization was trying to make a race of "super ninjas" to counter attack the other Human Genome Projects for "enhanced soldiers" in the rest of the world."

"I kind of figured all of that already, what happened to Hayate? Is he still alive?"

"Yes, he is but I do not know where. Aoi and I lost track of him a couple of years ago."

"Who is this Gai Tendo? And what is his relationship to Takuma?"

"As you know Takuma was force to become a hitman for the 'immortal one'. It amazes me how he continues to escape death anyways, Takuma's friend and fellow rival Gai Tendo is also a sort of hitman. However, he is a freelance. I do not know whom he works for; the only thing that distinguishes him from other people is his fighting style. It is formless but incorporates other styles in it. It is not like Jeet Kune Do however.

"Hmm, that style looks familiar I wonder..." said Sokaku, also known as Zeku Kisaragi, as he pondered for a moment, "We need to find as much about this Gai Tendo person, I have someone with the same first name that can help us."

"Who would that be? Not your son I hope", remarked the Kobujutsu master as took a sip of his tea.

"Yikes, this tea is cold"

"Would you like for me to make more" said the bald man as laughed to himself. "We have been talking for quite awhile"

"No, that is not necessary", replied the black dyed hair man, not wanting to admit that his throat felt rather dry and he was in need of a drink. "You were saying about someone to help us."

"Yes, he is my student and my adopted son, Guy Kumon. He will be able to help us."

"It seems as though you know more than you are letting on but I'll wait till your plan shows itself"

"It really isn't my plan, it is fate"

At the Pao Pao Café 2 in Osaka Japan, a trio of young men where sitting at a table waiting for their orders. In the center of the trio, a man with blond hair was somberly drinking from his cup of tea. In front of him was a red cap, with the title 'Lone Wolf' and from the look of his downcast expression it seems as though he was alone. He didn't even respond to his friends comments. He just sat there staring off into space.

"Hey man you alright?" questioned the man with a Japanese headband wrapped around his forehead as he impatiently waited for his food to arrive, "Yo dude you need to cheer up, what is with you guys. Your brother Andy is one thing, but for you to have your face in the dumps is just not normal. Anyways where is my food? I'm starved."

"That hideous appetite of yours is what keeps people from you. And you wonder why you have no social life. You disgust me", replied the brash long blond hair guy sitting across from his dim-witted friend.

"Hey what is that supposed to mean Mr. I rather train in the mountains somewhere sitting on a bunch of rocks meditating, instead of admitting that you love some woman, and you talk about having no social life. You have no life. You are boring, period. I wonder what Mai sees in you" retorted the man with the long stalk of brown hair.

"I have you know that I asked Mai to marry me a few weeks ago and she accepted. Thank you very much" stated Andy as he got up from his seat to look at the annoying 3rd wheel of the trio in the eye.

"Big whup, it took you long enough. And that really doesn't count anyways. The way she came on to you was a proposal in itself. So you just finally accepted. There is nothing manly about that. A pretty girl asks you out and you say no. What the hell is wrong with you, you nimrod. Mr. I gotta go train."

Back near the diner, the owner of the restaurant was talking to his pupil and business partner Bob Wilson. Bob Wilson, who now owned the old restaurant in Southtown was here helping out the new restaurant open and establish its grounds. Seeing his former teacher in a foul mood meant only one thing. Pig-Headed Fighters trying to get a meal. Knowing his old sensei, the animated Bob Wilson knew that kind of behavior was not acceptable. It just wouldn't do.

"Those dolts will ruin business, if they don't keep it down. I thought that establishing a restaurant in Japan would be great, since I would be moving away from the old Southtown, but guess what happens, the city's occupants follow me."

"Don't feel too bad. At least they are not tearing up the place like they did in Southtown. Are those alligator bits done yet?" casually remarked the Capoeira fighter as he wiped down a waiter tray with a towel, "That Joe Higashi sure eats some weird stuff."

"Tell me about it, an alligator, a freakin overgrown lizard for Christ sakes. He is not paying me enough to keep up with a bunch biting reptiles that is for sure. Hey Ricardo is Joe's order ready yet?

"Yeah, Order 66 is up" was the reply from the kitchen.

"Alright Bobby, would you be so kind as to personally deliver these 3 orders and tell them to lessen up on that barbarian raucous" reply Richard Meyer as he continue to survey the rest of the restaurant. Opening a new café, one must always look out for costumer satisfaction and response; it keeps the dollars coming in.

"I'll be sure to relay the message. 1 order of Natto noodles for Andy, Check, A clubhouse sandwich with a side order of fries for Terry, Check and 3 orders of Fried alligator bits, Check. Damn Joe!" As the acrobatic Capoeira fighter made his way to his fellow combatants table, the said trio was still making a scene, well only two of them.

"Look you wimp I oughta knock some sense in you ya pansy, letting your woman dictate what goes on in your household."

"I find it very amusing that you always criticize my relationship when you are not even in one. You supposed to have all the women. Yeah right"

"What!? You yellow knuckle brained..."

"I think Andy got you there Joe" said Bob as he placed their orders and tickets on the table, "Here you go. Hey Joe don't worry, I am sure that you will find that special someone someday, just keep looking, he, he."

Even the somber Terry had to laugh at that one, as he tried to hide his laughter. "Hey thanks Bobby, and give my gratitude to the owner, ne", stated Terry as he perked up a little.

"Sure thing, Bogard, you seem a little bit out of it. That is not like you. Would you like to talk about it?" said the capoerista as he glanced at Joe grunting about 'overly emotional men and their girl friends'.

"Nah, You do not need to concern yourself with me. I am sure you have other customers to attend to", commented Terry as he picked around his food.

"Come on, I am your friend and I would like to think that these other two people next to you are also. So come on spill it out already" encouraged the Brazilian native as took the other empty seat across from Terry.

"Hey man, what is up with this ticket, alligator bits do not supposed to cost double the amount here in Japan what gives, plus everyone's else meal cost cheap." said the renowned Thai fighter as he buried his hands in his pockets for more money.

"Alligator bits, Joe, Alligator bits?"

"Arrgh! You all are trying to hustle me out of my loot. You...thieves!"

"Anyways 'Lone Wolf' how bout it"

"Lily...Sulia...I rather not talk about this" mumble the hero of Southtown as he measly ate his food.

"Wha, This is serious what about Mary Ryan, I thought you liked her. Don't tell me you are still not over those other two. They are gone now there is nothing you can do about them" chipped in Andy as he waited for his noodles to cool down.

"It is not that I think that don't want to or that I am falling for Mary, it is just that...that... Forget it"

"I think I understand now, you are afraid. That is really not like you", responded Bob Wilson as he put his prop his elbows on the table and rest his head on his thumbs.

"He is not afraid for himself, more like afraid for her. You feel as though she is going to be taken away from you also."

"Yeah...I...do"

"But I do not get it. Both you and Mary had a common enemy, and you defeated him so there is nothing to worry about, right", said Joe as he popped another bit into his mouth, while leaning back against his chair. Even though he was trying to play lighthearted and cool, he kind of felt nervous around Terry at this moment.

"I didn't defeat him...I just have this feeling"

"Don't mention that bastard around me. He is dead, kaput, end of story"

At this moment Andy cell phone started to ring. Picking up the phone, the younger of the Bogard brothers put it to his ear to answer.

"Hello, Andy Bogard speaking"

"Hi, This is Mary. You won't believe what I am about to tell you..."

As Mary continued to tell Andy what was up, his face gradually became sterner until it became a growl. Aggressively passing the phone to his brother Andy only had one thing to say.

"Who in the hell got Yamazaki out from prison!"

"Terry, you and your omens are going to be the death of me" replied Joe from the floor as fell backwards off his chair due to Andy's recent outburst, "It really is"

On a building across from the Nerima Central Hospital, the unknown man in the cloak surreptitiously spied on the hospital sensing for someone. Looking around the side of the building the man continued his search until he sensed an unusual ki signature.

"Ah I see she kept her youngest twin. That must mean the other one is one of the 5 and the heir to the true power of the Orochi". The mysterious man stilled himself on his perch to keep watching the building. He was actually looking through a window waiting for someone to show up or pop up to be seen.

"I see the young one doesn't want to be seen. I guess it is for the best. That lady is needed. Her time is far from up yet. I wonder where is the other 5 are at. At least I know these twins will turn out alright, but I must find the other one and the others."

Then the figure on top of the building fluttered his cloak around him and vanished.

"Where is the White Dragon?"

In the waiting room, Aki Ono was sitting alone as he watched his fiancé and Nodoka worry over Kimiko's situation. All of a sudden he felt as though he was being watched. Looking out the window he could have sworn that he saw someone on top of the building. Feeling something, Aki excused himself from the two women in the waiting room. As he made his way to the elevator, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was upon something big. 'All these weird things are not a coincidence' he kept telling himself as he made his way to the roof.

Back in the waiting room, Hinako and Nodoka were wondering were Dr. Ono was going. Sensing the distress in her companion's posture, the Mother of Ibuki and Ranma told Hinako that she would look for her fiancé. Telling her that she wanted to apologize to him face to face for her outburst earlier, she convinced her friend to go and find Ibuki to see if they were okay.

When Dr. Aki Ono made his way to the roof of the hospital he immediately looked across to see if he could find the one he saw or thought he saw earlier. Looking earnestly, he couldn't find anything that could show evidence of someone being there. Then he heard Nodoka's voice from behind him.

"Did you see someone up there?" questioned the wife of Genma as she made his way to his side, "Because I felt it too."

Not expecting that to be the first thing said Aki slowly turned around to regard her. "You felt as though we were being watched. I least I do not feel like an idiot. At first I thought I was just feeling something."

"My, my are you two perceptive, however I am not surprised by you Nodoka" stated a voice from behind them.

"Okay, who are you and what do you want!" commanded the chiropractor as he stepped in front of Nodoka. Looking around he still couldn't not see anything. He couldn't even pinpoint a ki signature. With his hairs standing on end at the back of his neck, the future husband of Hinako knew that facing this guy was about the same as making a death wish."

In front of the two, next to entrance on the roof, a figured of a cloaked man flickered into view. After removing the cloth from his head, the man eyes were revealed along with a very long brown pony tail attached to his bald head. "You can calm down now. I am not here to harm you or your family" stated the man. His mouth and nose were still covered by a mask.

"How do you know my name", questioned Nodoka with steel in her voice as she inadvertently gripped her family blade closer to herself.

"Prepared as ever I see An Mei" replied the man. Looking at both of them, he could tell that they were still wary of him however it really didn't matter

"I am not going to ask you again. Who are you and what do you want?" shouted Aki as he cautiously stepped forward a little more to protect Nodoka from harm."

"I am An Mei's brother, Jin Fuha" replied Fuha casually as he slowly bent down to sit against the wall. I am here to tell you something about your sons, my nephews, and what they have to do with saving your friend's life."

"What the...!?" shouted both Aki and Nodoka at the same time. "I have you know that my name is not An Mei, and if you were my brother you would of known that, and as for my children and my friends if you harm any of them I swear to the 10 mountains of hell that I will kill you...slowly" declared the woman with reddish brown hair as she glared daggers at this supposed stranger.

Shocked by his wife to be friend's words, Dr. Ono just readied himself for the next statement to be made between these two. 'What in the nine hells is going on here. If I make it through this month alive I am going to go on a very long vacation', thought the doctor to himself.

"Hmmph if you weren't my sister you wouldn't even attempt that" chuckled the man known as Fuha, "You are right I am not the brother you know as 'Guy Kumon', but you do know me, remember that promise I made you take about initiating a child into becoming a ninja, by the looks of your youngest son I can see that you kept that promise."

"What do you mean I made that promise to someone by the name of...?"

"Lin, right. Well you see Fuha and Lin are one in the same, Nodoka, and I am that person. I gave you those scrolls and that water and I am your brother. Trust me on this" said Lin as he removed his mask and cloak to let Nodoka get a full view of him. "Do you believe me now?"

"How...is....what...what is going on?" shrieked Nodoka as she fell to her knees in shock. Luckily Dr. Ono was there to make sure she fell gently as to not cause any harm to herself. Knowing that his companion at the moment needed a respite to calm herself down, Aki proceeded to ask the man known as Lin a few more questions. 'Maybe I can find out what all of this stuff going on is about.'

"Okay Fuha-san, I presume, what is it that you want from us?" questioned Dr. Ono warily as he leaned over Nodoka making sure she was alright. The said man just glanced over at the doctor and made no move to approach them. He just casually glanced at the pair with a bemused expression on his face.

"What is your name, if I am assuming correctly, doctor, and how close are you to my sister?" stated Lin as he shifted his position slightly, getting more comfortable while resting on the wall, "Also, for now it is perfectly find to call me Fuha, in the presence of her, however I must ask you to called me Lin if we ever must be among others, you got that?"

"My Name is Dr. Aki Ono, and yes I am a doctor, chiropractor actually, plus I am a very close friend of the family, Lin-san. Now what do you want from us?" said the doctor suspiciously. The Saotome matriarch started to regain her senses and propped up to hear this man claiming to be his brother. Sensing that he had their full attention, the ninja know as Lin started to give them some sort of explanation.

"My name is formerly Jin Fuha of the Jin Clan, and I am originally from China, just like you are. You see, Nodoka, An Mei, you were adopted", stated Lin as he watched Nodoka's reaction. He was surprised when he didn't hear a denial of sorts. Gazing at her facial expression, all he was able to gather was a faint frown marring her features.

"I know", said the mother of Ibuki and Ranma, sadly, "I figured as much, that means Guy is not my real brother for he was adopted as well, nor is Allison or Jeff my siblings."

"No, they were not your siblings by blood but they were your family", responded the mysterious cloaked figure, understandingly, "I am not trying to harm you or take away your family, they raised you and I am sure they loved you. That is all that matters."

"Saotome-san how is it that you knew that you were adopted?" said the local chiropractor with a curious look on his face. "Did your foster parents ever tell you?"

"No they did not. At first I did not even ponder that thought if I was adopted or not but as I got older I realized that my family looked different from me. Jeff and Allison were half Japanese and half American; I on the other hand was..."

"Nodoka you are not even Japanese, hence the reason why I call you An Mei, it is a Chinese name." interrupted Lin as he made his way to sit closer to the pair. He was surprised how well Nodoka was taking this, but then he didn't take into consideration that even though she was brought to Japan for safety reasons, she still lived an eventful and somewhat tragic life. 'And I am afraid it is only going to get worse for her.'

Slowly rivulets of tears trickled out of eyes as she looked at Aki and then Lin as he came to join them. As of right now, Nodoka felt extremely out of place in the world. She didn't know why she was given away and adopted. She didn't understand why her oldest twin son add to leave her, and she knew that her other son were sure to leave her. She didn't understand why her first and true love had to leave her while she regretfully married Genma. She didn't understand why Jeff and Allison Bogard had to die why she was still training in Japan. She just didn't understand it. It was if the demons and gods were sent to her just to make her life a living hell. And because of that, she wept as to why her world continuously turned over.

Not knowing what to do, the recently established doctor just held the distraught woman within his arms. Hoping, but doubting that his attempts at soothing the woman, once known as An Mei, pains; he turned to the other occupant of this conversation with a look that said 'We need some answers now!'

Catching the hint and not liking to see his sister so distressed he took a serious glance at the doctor and slowly exhaled trying to figure out whether or not this man was trust worthy.

"Ono-san, excuse me for being blunt but need to ask you if would just keep this discussion between just us three, there is a lot of things that are going on that will have a great impact on our future and I need you to be able to keep this secret. I know that this is a burden but I will assure you that all will be revealed in due time. Do I have your word?" stated the ninja as he bowed to the man in front of him. Sensing the returned bow, Lin raised his said slowly, "Thank you for being a friend to An Mei here, you do not know how much I appreciate it."

Perceiving that he to could put his trust in this man, Dr. Aki Ono visibly lowered his defenses and turned his attention to his upset friend, trying to make sure she was up to dealing with the strenuous discourse ahead. Aware that they were now ready for his explanation he began to weave his story or at least some of it. He could not divulge everything to soon for it might put people in danger and backfire.

"As you know I previously stated that I was Nodoka's brother. We also have a sister named Kai-Sin who lives in China. The reason why you were sent away by our parents was because of an ancient legend regarding your sons. However, no one really knew of that legend except our mother, whom I am sorry to say I can't reveal to you right now..."

"And why in the hell not, I mean you just appear and tell me all this stuff and give me some bull as to why you must keep MY mother, MY blood mother a secret from me. Where is my blade?"

"Calm down, please calm done, let me explain" placated the cloaked individual as he put his hands up in a warding gesture. Even though he was some rouge assassin that didn't mean that he didn't fear or at least wanted to be on certain people's bad side. His sister was one of those people. "Look, there are reasons why I can't tell you right now. Believe me when I tell you this, it is for your own safety and protection"

"So what good is it for you to be wasting our time then?"

"What if I were to tell you that your twin sons are the only hope for saving our future, I know you realize how gifted those youth are. If not where his your other son and why is he not with you? Those children of yours have a destiny to prevent evil."

"My, other son is with his grandfather, my..."

"Sokaku Mochizuki, Eiji's father, what is your son named?"

"Ryuou, Kisaragi Ryuou" announced Nodoka as took a glance at Aki and Lin, whom she now knew as her brother. By the way he mentioned her father in law so familiarly that must have meant that he was close to him. Even though she really didn't have enough evidence to prove if in fact that this person wasn't her sibling, she did want to latch on to the fact that he somewhat knew of her origin and past. Not really having a stable family anymore, she yearned for something to feel that void and solidify her position.

"Nodoka, Aki-san, I am here to tell you all that someone tried to murder your friend whom is bedridden as of now. She was poisoned."

"So how do we save her? I do not know what she was poisoned with, therefore I can't even trace it let alone cure it?" stammered the chiropractor now getting involved in the conversation. The stuff about Nodoka's children not being blood related to Genma Saotome wasn't new news. The mother of Ryuou and Ranma previous examinations and physicals were proof enough that Genma wasn't either father of those two. As to why she was married to Genma well he really didn't know at this point, So Dr. Ono just saved that question for another time. 'No point in getting diced for meddling in a woman's relationship affairs' thought Dr. Ono to himself.

"You are going to save her, Doctor" answered the man formerly known as Fuha as he allowed a smirk to show on his face. "However you are going to have a little help"

"What do you mean?" stuttered the fiancé of Hinako as he looked at Chinese man with an agape expression. 'This guy says the most ridiculous stuff that you just have to believe him'

Nodoka was way past the point of rationalism dealing with this newcomer. With the way her life was as of late she just took everything for face value. Hearing that one of her best friends could some how miraculously come out of this ordeal alive was very soothing to her ears. "Well what are we waiting for? That is about the most useful thing that you said since to you got here!"

"Okay, okay, I just need to know a few things. Which son did you choose to receive the medallion?" questioned Lin as he looked at his sister hoping that she made the right choice.

"Ranma..." murmured Nodoka as she looked down at her hands in lap.

"Huh, I do not get it. Why does it matter which one receives it? They are both twins. I do not understand how one could be so drastically different from the other", inquired the doctor as he looked back in forth between the two trying to comprehend what was being said between them. 'Hmm something was mentioned about a medallion. As a matter of fact I saw Nodoka give Ranma that necklace before pouring some water on him. Maybe I should ask about that?'

"I do not think that information is important as of now, we need to get you two back to your family and try to save your friend's life" stated the Chinese man sternly as he got up from the floor heading to the roof entrance of the hospital.

Following suit with the mother of the Kisaragi twins at his side, curious to what was so important about that necklace; the fiancé of Hinako made is way to Lin. "What about that necklace? What is so special about that medallion?" Dr. Aki Ono anxiously asked.

Turning around to look back at his sister, Lin glanced at her facial appearance for confirmation as to whether or not he should reveal the rest of the explanation. Seeing only a slight neutral shrug from his younger sibling, the Chinese man proceeded to answer as truthfully as possible without really saying anything. 'This man thinks he can get all chummy and comfortable around me just because I am partial to my sister. So what he is her friend, that doesn't necessarily make him one of mine?' Lin thought as he answered the doctor's question, "It is just a something to distinguish and identify her son, Ranma with."

"Nani? Why would she want to that? I thought that his identity needed to be kept secret?"

"Let's just say that some allies of ours will need to recognize the difference between the twins. That is all. Anymore questions?"

Looking at the ninja body language, the brown haired chiropractor knew that he probably wouldn't get any more information from Lin, especially if Nodoka didn't even know. However, he felt as though he could find out this mystery without necessarily receiving too much help from them. He just needed to examine and watch over Ranma a little more carefully. "No, I guess not" said the doctor out loud 'What is so special about Nodoka's children? Why is Ranma so gifted at a young age?'

Making their way toward the elevator downstairs, Dr. Ono continued to contemplate on the significance of Ranma's unusual gifts. 'How was he able to know that Kimiko was sick, much less get to try to go to the hospital himself? Luckily he didn't blindly run into traffic, for we pick him up 3 blocks from the house with the car. Why is he in that room now? Too many questions, hopefully we can trust this guy. Even though he is indifferent to me he does seem to care for Nodoka a bit. I guess I am going to have to go along with this.'

"Lin-san?" questioned Dr. Ono as he entered the elevator behind the two supposed relatives, "I suggest that you find a lab coat or a spare set of cloths as to not bring attention to your self."

"Ha! Do not worry about that, I will be waiting with Ranma. Meet us there" and with that the Chinese assassin disappeared into thin air.

"I am never going to get used to that" commented Nodoka as she wearily shook her head, trying to get over the shock of it.

"Me neither, me neither."

Returning back from the ice-cream shop downstairs, Ibuki along with Kasumi, Nabiki, and Tofu made their way to Hinako who was sleeping in a chair while holding little Akane. Motioning the rest to be quiet, the schoolgirl ninja lightly shook the young school teacher awake.

"Hmm, what...oh it is you Ibuki-chan" drowsily stated the Hinako as she tried to get the sleep from her eyes.

"Where is everyone?"

"I am not sure; however, I have been resting for awhile so they should be here soon, Your Uncle Genma left with Soun to see if he could cheer him up and Your mother left with Aki to talk about something. Everyone just left me here."

"How rude", commented the teenage girl, as she looked around the room with a slight frown on her face.

"Tell me about it. So how was the trip to the ice cream shop? The little ones didn't give you any trouble did they?" said Hinako as she cooed and made funny faces to the children while trying to tickle them. Kasumi and Nabiki started to laugh and giggle with all the attention they were receiving from their "Aunt Hinako". When Hinako attempted to grab Tofu, he just made a disgusted face while saying "I'm too old for that". Both Hinako and Ibuki had to laugh at his remark has he tried to escape their prying hands.

"It is good to see that at least the kids are in a good mood" commented Nodoka to Aki as they both entered the waiting room.

"I hope I can keep them that way" replied the well-known chiropractor as he looked at Hinako and Ibuki play with the little ones.

"You are thinking about what that man said right. You think you will be able to save Kimiko"

"I do not know"

Just then, Hinako spotted her fiancé and the Saotome Matriarch as they came forward and sat on opposite sides of her. Looking at their faces, the Furikan High school teacher could sense their nervousness and apprehension; however, it wasn't directed at her. "What's happening, is everything okay", said Hinako out in the open.

"No, it isn't" replied Aki Ono in a somber voice.

Hinako then looked to Nodoka to see if anything was amiss, however, she couldn't read her face and it look as though she wouldn't be revealing any information soon.

"I want to know what's going on."

"We really do not know ourselves" stated Nodoka as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Rivulets of tears started to flow from her eyes, yet struggle to keep her emotions in check. It wouldn't be good for the little ones to see that she was upset.

"Nodoka, I am going to check up on Kimiko. I do not know if this is going to work, but we have to trust him. He is the only one who presumably has a clue to what's going on" commented the doctor as he got up and made his way to exit the waiting room. From time to time, Hinako wondered just why this group of family and friends went through so much. 'Is it because we are all related to the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryu or something?' she thought to herself as she watched Nodoka and her fiancé exit the waiting room.

In a midsized yacht approaching the industrial district of Osaka, a man with long brown hair in a ponytail with a lengthy black Chinese coat with red trim, quietly looked at the distant shore. Coming from behind him was a young boy with similar apparel, however without the coat, holding a cell phone. Excusing himself, the young boy who seemed to be a subordinate to the older, told him that he had a rather important phone call.

"Who is it?"

"She said her name was Mistress C"

"I will take it", said the robed figure as he turn to address his assistant

"Very well sir", replied the boy as he bowed, about to take his leave.

"Eh, Duo Lon", stated the older man, his back now facing his audience, "I see that you are growing you hair out like mine"

"I guess I am master", responded the young teen

"I see. Don't trained so hard. Try to enjoy your self on this trip, ne?"

"I will try master", said the teen as he entered the deck.

Raising the phone to his ear, the Chinese man answered the phone.

"Miss C, what can I do for you?" remarked the man with a smirk on his face.

"Project Omega 2 is now underway"

"Hmm, I am also ready on my end. I am approaching Osaka, as we speak"

"I will be awaiting your arrival. You will be directly escorted to our N.E.S.T.S Base here before we depart to France."

"Why do we need to go to France, isn't the N.E.S.T.S Headquarters stationed in Austria?"

"Yes of course it is but I have to pick up my son first."

"I see, well I will see you soon."

"We will be waiting."

As the man hung up his phone, he glanced at the water, "I know you are out there looking for me, trying to avenge your comrades, but your friend didn't have what it took to become a ninja, and if you wasted all your time seeking to better just him, you as well will succumb to the same fate. It goes the same for you son...the same."

Back at the Nerima Central Hospital, Nodoka and Dr. Ono were trying to enter the room that their friend Kimiko was bedridden in however due to the fact that they were not of the hospital's staff they were not allowed entry.

"I am sorry, Ono-san, Saotome-san, you must wait until waiting hours before you can see her" stated one of the nurses at the information desk.

"I understand protocol and such, but I am a doctor. As a matter of fact this very hospital has needed my expertise from time to time. I should at least be able to check up on my former patient."

"Like I said before I am sorry but rules are rules."

"Look here, Ms...", looking down at her nametag, Nodoka continued. "Narita, my best friend is in there and she might be dying and no one has even given us a status on how she is doing. Screw your protocol, I am going in there, and you better not even try to stop me!"

"Security! Security!" shouted the nurse while she pointed to the two individuals in front of her.

"What seems to be going on here!" stated the now present police officers stationed on this floor.

"I need these two escorted out of here. They are causing a disturbance", she stated, indicating the pair in front of her.

"I am going to need you two to follow me" commanded the officer as he gestured for them to leave.

"Now wait one minute..."

"Ito-san, Narita-san, they are with me" stated a man dressed in a white doctor coat complete with glasses and a hospital mask on. On his coat the he had a nametag that read 'Dr. Kai Arakaki. Nerima General Senior Partner'

"But, the..." started Ms. Narita.

"I understand the consequences, however, Tendo-san, the patient is not being tended to right now and I think it might be helpful if I were to talk to her family. Maybe there is something that they know that might be able to help us treat her better."

"Well in that case, Saotome-san, Ono-san, you are permitted visit your friend"

'Why that pompous bit...' thought Nodoka to herself.

"Very well, Saotome-san, Ono-san, if you would follow me please, Kimiko-san room is just 4 doors down that left hall" said Dr. Arakaki as headed to the room. The other two just followed.

Entering the room they could see an occupied hospital bed near a window surrounded by a myriad of medical equipment and monitors. As for the moment everything seems pretty stable, but the trio that entered knew for a fact that Kimiko's vital signs were steadily decreasing. On closer inspection they could see that the Tendo matriarch was indeed the occupant of the room, however they thought that the bulge near her feet were a bit off but they didn't mention it. Just as Dr. Tofu was about to put his palm to Kimiko's forehead, to check her temperature something shot out from underneath the blanket, near the end of the bed.

"Who are you and what do you want with my Obasan?" stated a little boy standing on the bed looking directly at the one known as 'Dr. Arakaki'. Looking down at the boy, Dr. Arakaki wondered why the boy was looking at him so sternly. 'I'm sure that doctors come in here all the time. Plus, the boy didn't even acknowledge the other two arrivals'

"Ranma, show some respect, His name is Dr. Arakaki and I would like if you would greet him properly", reprimanded Nodoka as she tried to pick up her son from the bed. "And why did you run off like that? You had me worried, you know? You can't just stay in this room, I thought I..."

"Hmm, No-chan I think that your son gets the idea." Said Dr. Ono has he and Dr. Arakaki sweat dropped.

"I'm sorry 'Kaasan'" said Ranma somberly as he hugged his mother around her neck from her warm embrace.

"I know baby, now apologize to Dr. Arakaki, dear" replied Nodoka in a cooing voice.

"No, that man is not a doctor", command Ranma in his pint size voice as he once again leveled a glare at Dr. Arakaki. Nodoka was almost too shock to even say anything. Her child was never this stubborn.

"But Ranma-chan, look at his uniform..."

"No"

"Ranma-kun listen to your mother", admonished Dr. Ono as he walk up to the pair. "Your mother..."

"I do not believe that scolding the boy will do any good for he is right I am no doctor" stated the other occupant in the room as he revealed himself to be Lin.

"I should have known" stated Aki dryly, "However, where is the real Dr. Arakaki? Hmm, you didn't do anything to him did you?" 'I can't believe I was just shown up by wonder-boy over hear and Nodoka's estranged so called brother again. I need some new friends or maybe a new profession.'

"Yes. And how did you look exactly like Dr. Arakaki, brother" followed the Saotome matriarch.

"As for the first question, he is sleeping soundly in his office, which is locked by the way, and for the second, well that is a secret", chuckled Lin as he walked toward Nodoka, who was still holding her son. "As for you little Ranma, I am your uncle and you are going to help me and Dr. Ono here save your aunt." All Nodoka and Ranma could say was, "NANI!"

End of Chapter 2

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