Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi is the sole creator of Ranma ½ and all character therein. But the plot is mine!

Next of Kin

1: The Letter

Happosai bounced into the main dining room just as Kasumi was setting down breakfast on the table.

"Hello Happosai," Kasumi said with a smile. "Will you be joining us for breakfast?"

Happosai nodded as he shifted a mysterious cloth bag from his shoulder to the ground. Kasumi looked at the bag with mild interest. "Did you just come back from traveling again Mr. Happosai?"

"You could say this bag contains the fruit of my labor." Kasumi nodded and headed back into the kitchen to get the tea. Happosai ditched the wise look and clung to the bag like a kitten to catnip. "My treasures."

Nabiki entered the room still in her pajamas and yawned, enjoying the luxury of a Sunday morning and nowhere to be. Akane followed, but stopped short at the sight of Happosai. She narrowed her eyes slightly, wary of the pervert. Not wanting to be rude, she nodded politely in his direction.

"Akane!" Happosai squealed as he rushed towards the girl with outstretched arms. Akane tensed, waiting for impact, but before he could reach her, Happosai felt a kick to his head.

"Man, you never give up," growled Ranma, not happy at the unexpected arrival of his 'master.' Happosai shed fake tears and rubbed the slight bump on his head. "Now is that any way to treat your poor master?! You should show some respect!"

Ranma rolled his eyes. Happosai looked around and grabbed a glass of cold water on the table and threw it at Ranma. Instantly replacing the grumpy teenaged boy was an equally grumpy buxom redhead Ranma with a wet t-shirt. Happosai clung to the girl Ranma's chest as she cried put with repulsion. Ripping the letch from her chest, she threw his across the room. Akane and Nabiki looked on, chopping on food. Happosai stood on his feet, glaring at Ranma. Before he could react, the door slid open and in rushed Saotome Genma and Tendo Soun.

"Master!" they cried, rushing to his feet. Happosai switched his glance from Ranma to his old students. "Yes well- Hey what are you doing?!"

Happosai found Ranma going through his bag. Ranma held up a bra. "You dirty old pervert. What do you need these for?"

As the bag tumbled over and the contents of women's undergarments spilled across the floor, Akane reached and held up a pair of panties. "These are MINE!"

Ranma looked at the panties and rolled her eyes. "Who would want a dumb girl's underwear anyway."

Akane's vein popped. "Well excuuuuuuuse me."

Scowling, she returned to eating. Happosai went into stealth mode and re-stole the said panties and stuffed them into his bag. Hopping up, he grabbed the bra from Ranma's hands. "Mine."

Kasumi returned with a tray of tea and set it on the table. Reaching in her apron pocket, she pulled out the day's mail. Looking up, she smiled and gestured for everyone to sit and the table and eat, in an effort tot break the obvious tension in the room. Grumbling, Happosai and Ranma sat down at the table. Ranma grabbed the teapot and poured some hot water over her head, changing back into male Ranma. Kasumi sorted the mail. "Bill...Bill...Oh look, a challenge letter from Ryoga..."

Ranma reached over and grabbed the letter. Furrowing his eyebrows, he skimmed the letter as Akane peeked over his shoulder.

"Hey," she exclaimed. "The date of the challenge was two days ago."

"Figures. The guy has no sense of direction," said Ranma, putting the note away. Everyone returned to his or her meal when Kasumi held up an envelope. "Happosai, you have mail."

Happosai looked up from his bowl with interest. He reached over the table and opened it. Everyone else watched as Happosai's carefree expression changed to one of a more serious nature.

"What is it Master?" Tendo looked concerned. Saotome shifted. "Does it have to do with the dojo? Is it a challenge? A threat?"

"Hush!" Happosai whacked Soun with his pipe. "This "–Happosai waved the letter around – "is a letter from my great niece in China. She wrote that she is coming to Japan to have me train her."

"She arrives tomorrow." Happosai set the letter down in front of the speechless crowd. He started to contemplate this as he smoked his pipe. She'll stay here of course. Maybe Ranma can show her around. She's about your age you know. If she's half the fighter I am, then she'd make the best heir to the dojo."

Seeing at what he was getting at, Soun and Genma exchanged worried glances. Happosai cackled. "Who knows? Maybe Saotome and I will join families instead of Tendo and Saotome."

"Wait a minute," said Nabiki, slamming her hand on the table. "Your 'niece' writes a letter out of no where, telling you to train her in the way of Anything Goes Martial Arts and we are suppose to believe this and just let her stay here? Where's the proof in all this?!"

"Nabiki's right. We don't know this girl. I mean, have you even met this girl before?" asked Kasumi, biting her lip. Nabiki started to go through the envelope for clues.

"Well, the last time I saw her she was three, and I haven't heard from her since. That was about thirteen years back. But if she's any relation of mine, she will know the family secret."

Everyone leaned in a little closer. Waiting.

"Oh well! We'll find out tomorrow. Ranma you be sure to show her a good time. After all, if she is my niece, then she is also an heir to the Schools of Anything Goes Martial Arts. You can marry her and I will consol Akane!"

Akane looked horrified at the thought, and Soun and Genma didn't look to far behind her. Ranma looked at all the faces and laughed. "Hey, maybe she'll be cute. That would be a change from a certain tomboy I know."

Akane whacked him over the head with her mallet. "Ranma, you can be such a jerk!" she said, standing up. Sending him a glare, she stormed out of the room. Kasumi shook her head at Ranma. Ranma scowled, avoiding her 'look'. "I was only joking."

Nabiki pulled out two photographs. "Hey, I found something."

The pictures were slightly faded, worn at the corner. In the first picture, a female version of Happosai could be found holding a baby, while Happosai himself was standing in the background, making faces. The second revealed a girl about eleven or twelve standing in a school uniform, her aqua hair in braids. Thick black frames adorned her face, and her smile revealed shiny braces. She slumped slightly, and looked all around sickly. "Here are some pictures. They're old, but at least it can give you an idea of what I look like."

Everyone stared at the picture, while Ranma burst into laughter. "That girl must be related to Happosai! Bwahahahahaha."

Happosai's face fell, tears stinging his eyes. His own flesh and blood! Women like that weren't supposed to exist. Turning to the laughing boy, he growled. "You can laugh now but she could just as well be your wife!"

Ranma suddenly closed his trap and shuddered at the idea. Across the table, Genma and Soun relaxed. This girl would be no threat on the kids' engagement. She barely looked well enough to stand, let alone act as heir and fight.

Author's Note: I hope you liked the beginning. The rest of my chapters will be a lot longer. Anyway, I hope you all review with comments or suggestions. They'd be really appreciated. This is the first fic I've posted so be kind!