I'm gonna screw around the timelines a bit, so when Ranma arrived at the Tendo's he was around 14 and a half, and he fought Saffron at about 15 and a half to 16.

All the Inners and Neptune and Uranus are 16

Ranma and the Nerima Wreaking Crew are 16

Hotaru is 14 and is attending the same high school as Haruka and Michiru

Setuna is many times older than the (to her) child Cologne, but her appearance is about 26

Chapter 1:Braided Not-So-Unknown Stranger is Coming to Town

Friday afternoon

"We now gather here today to give our last goodbye's to one of the greatest martial artists of this generation. His last hours in the clinic were painful and long, but he said that he would not have anyone mourn for him, because he was going to a better place. Good bye Ranma, we'll miss you." Dr. Tofu bowed his head, for once not going crazy with Kasumi so close by.

The various members of the Nerima Wreaking Crew stood about a lone grave. Genma, being the cheap asshole that he was, wouldn't spend money on a tombstone, but instead took a cinder block, scratched out Ranma's name on it, and stuck it in the ground above where the urn was buried. Ranma would have preferred a coffin, but the glob was still alive inside him and his body had to be burned in order to kill the glob.

Saffron, Kiima, Herb, Mint, and Lime had flown in all the way from China, as well as Happosai, and Taro. Ryoga was nowhere to be found, but Mousse, Cologne and Shampoo were present. Ukyo and the Kuno's were also present. Kuno was crying for two reasons. Ms. Hinako, also present, told him that his pigtailed girl, as well as the foul sorcerer Saotome, was dead. (No doubt she tried to free herself from the foul dog and was killed in the inferno that consumes a dead sorcerer) (Actually, the fire was when Saffron came to kill the glob that was still in the hole underneath the breakfast table.)

Taro, Tofu, Saffron, Herb, and oddly enough, Mousse and Happosai, stood stoically off to the side of the grassy yard, which was just part of an empty lot. (Genma was also too cheap to buy a plot in the local cemetery) Ukyo, Shampoo, Kasumi, and to everyone's quiet shock Nabiki, were crying rivers of tears on the left side of the grave. "I'm so sorry Ranma, I should have had the engagement switched over to me, but I was afraid of getting hurt, but I should have known that your would protect me." Nabiki sobbed into Kasumi's lap, along with Shampoo and Ukyo, who made good use of Kasumi's shoulders. Kasumi herself had herself a handkerchief. Nothing compared to a shoulder, but better than nothing at all.

Akane stood off on the far side of the lot, punching holes in the wall. "I can't believe he died, stupid pervert! He was my fiancee, I didn't say he could die! He's mine, noone else's, and I want him back!" She stomped her feet angrily, "Its all his fault for dying!" Soun was making a lake next to the grave, while Genma was fake crying next to him. "Oh! What a worthless son I hav- uh... HAD, dying and leaving his poor decrepit father behind!" *Crakle* He looked up at the sound, and saw that Akane had just destroyed the cinder block tombstone.

Meanwhile Juuban

A teen wearing black colored army pants, combat boots, and a black sleeveless T-shirt whistled as he dropped several packages into the mail. He was lean yet muscular at the same time, had a black braid the went all the way to the back of his knees, and drew stares and sighs from all the girls in view. He smiled at the post box (causing a few of the weaker hearted girls to faint), grabbed the black army satchel that he had set down, which meowed when he picked it up, and walked to the corner, where another teen, dressed in the same black pants and a gray T-shirt, waited. He too smiled, revealing sharp canines that looked like little fangs.

"Thanks for helping me set this up, Ryoga."

"No problem. Did you use the spring water I gave you?"

"Yep. Who knew that a spring without a template could provide the cure, huh?" A laugh.

"Heh heh, I guess no one knew because every time someone got cured, they drowned."

"I guess, lucky us that the bottles only had a liter. No one is stupid enough to drown in a liter of water."

Another laugh. "True. We'll meet the others at the Keihana Plaza Hotel tonight, right?"

"Yeah, I got enough cash at the last fight to buy enough food for all of us, with extra for me. I'm starved!"

"The two greatest weaknesses you have are still food and girls, huh? I mean, you even controlled the cat fist to where you love cats instead of running away at the mere sight of a kitten!"

"Shut up, pigboy! Just because I died doesn't mean I'm a totally different person!"

"Heh.... We better catch a train." The two started walking down the street towards the subway.

"So Ranma, why'd you grow out your pigtail. It makes you noticeable. If you were a girl it would be more inconspicuous."

"If I needed to change into a girl, I still have about a five or six crates of Instant Springs hidden away. Besides, the Dragon Whisker had to be able to tie onto something, and people might notice a pigtail, but a braid that long and cloths liked this? No one will suspect a thing.........."

A black cat poked it head out of the flap of the satchel and meowed, as if agreeing.

Monday Morning Juuban

*Ring*

"Yes?" A postman stood at the front door of the Tsukino residence.

" I gotta package for Kenji, Ikuko, and Usagi Tsukino."

"I'm Kenji." "Good. Sign here....alright, thanks." "Thank you."

Stepping into the house, he called out.

"Dear? We got a package!"

"Who's it from?"

Kenji checked the box, and discovered that there was no return address.

"It doesn't say."

Entering the kitchen, he placed it on the dining room table.

Ikuko finished drying the dishes, and grabbed a small knife. She sat down at the table and proceeded to open it. Lifting the tabs, she reached in and dumped out "a braid?"

Kenji picks up the braid and studies it carefully. "It seems familiar."

Ikuko shakes the box again. "Hey, there's a letter."

She slits the letter open and slid out the note

Dear Meatball Head

Tell your pop that I faked my death in Nerima and I'm gonna be attending Juuban High School. I'll be around in a bit, sorry I couldn't come visit you this week. I'm afraid that Akane Air no longer has a live passenger. See ya around.

"It doesn't give a name, although I'm pretty sure who sent the letter." Ikuko smiled.

"So, Ranma's finnally left Nerima. Good for him."

Kenji suddenly got a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Ikuko, dear, don't we have that spare room that no one uses?"

"Yes, do you think that Ranma should stay here?"

Kenji thinks about it for a second.

"Why not?"

"Maybe because Usagi is a girl and Ranma is a guy?"

"Ranma is a guy that has practically no sex drive, not to mention he's a girl half the time, I mean, he walks in on Usagi often enough, and it seems like it doesn't even matter to him."

"That's true."

"However, if Usagi can catch Ranma, I'll give them my blessings."

"That's a new response, what happened to the overprotective father?"

"I don't think that Usagi can get Ranma, but if she can, there's no one else I would rather have than him as a son in law."

Ikuko only thought one thing, 'Grandchildren!'

Luna, who was eating from her bowl, fumes "Who's Ranma! I haven't met him before!"

Same day 3:00

*Knock knock*

Grandpa Hino slid open the door.

"Yes? Can I help you?"

"I have a package for the Hino family."

After signing, Grandpa Hino went to the sitting room, where he was reading a newspaper, and slit open the box with a nail.

"Ranma's pigtail?!"

Dear Gramps

Sorry I didn't go to lessons last week, I was getting away from Nerima. I'm coming to live in Juuban, so I'll be around more often.

Dear Rei

I couldn't come to lessons last week, but I'll be able to come around a lot more now that I'm moving here. I'll see you soon.

'Ranma's moving to Juuban?'

Granpa Hino smiled broadly.

'I bet he can get Rei to loosen up. Besides, they can even get married right here if they hit it off right. If they don't, well, Ranma-chan is pretty cute.'

He bustled off to clean up and extra room.

Somewhere else

"Dr. Mizuno?" Ms. Mizuno looked up at the receptionist.

"Yes?"

"You have a package. Careful though, there's no return address."
"That's alright." She reached out and was handed the package.

She then smiled. "Thank you."

Dear Mizuno-san

I got away from the Wreaking Crew, and will be staying in Juuban, so you'll probably see an increase in business. Just so you know what to expect. See ya around. I'll drop by.

Brilliant idea struck her head.

"It doesn't sound like he has anywhere to stay, so he can stay with us! If anyone can get Ami to loosen up, Ranma can!"

Juuban High

"Meio-sensei?"

"Come in."

A student messenger opens the door.

"Meio-sensei you got a package. thank you, just set it down on the chair."

'Who's this from?'

Setsuna Meio slit the box open with a letter opener.

'Ranma, should have known.'

Dear Setsuna,

I'm coming to Juuban, so don't kill me on accident. Help me register in Juuban High, but dont use Saotome, cause Ranma Saotome is officially dead. Add me to another clan or somethin. I'll drop by your house Wednesday night. Thanks!

*sigh* 'So, Ranma, you finally got away from that hell hole. Good. It would have been a damn shame if you died in Nerima, a man like you deserves MUCH better'

She smirked in a un-Setsuna like way.

'Of course, you have no idea what is waiting for you here.' She pulled out her communicator.

*Beep* Usagi's face suddenly appeared on the screen of the communicator.

"Setsuna!?" "Princess, you now have Destiny's permission to dump Mamoru."

"Setsuna, keep with the times, he ditched me last week." ".....I see..."

Elsewhere in Juuban 5:00pm

"What's this?" *rustle*

"SEMPAI'S BRAID!"

*tear* sound of letter hastily torn open.

Mako-chan

I've finally left Nerima, and I'll be staying in Juuban. I'll be able to come visit you more, now that I'm attending Juuban High, and I'll be able to teach you more.

"Sempai can stay with me! I'll cook for him and everything! It'll be like we're married." Makoto blushed at the last sentence. "Well... I won't mind if he wants to live here." 'I'll have to walk in on him a lot when he's using the furo. And he can walk in on me! We'll, not like he doesn't. But he doesn't act like he cares if I'm naked or not, he just closes his eyes, and talks.'

She sighs 'I wonder if he even notices me, I mean, he IS a girl half the time.'

Makoto Kino turns around and opens the door to the spare room.

Meanwhile

"Minako! You have a package from Ranma!"

*zoooooom* snatch *zooooooom*

Minako rushed out and rushed back in with an open package

"Look Artemis! I got a package from Ranma!"

A white tail swung lazily to and fro from her desk. "Who's Ranma."

Insert starry eyes, "I met him in England while fighting youma there, He's a great fighter." she sighed happily. "The most perfect guy in the world."

"Better than Mamoru?" "Way better." A white furred head perks up.

"Now I'm interested."

Minako placed the pigtail at the edge of her desk, and watched Artemis jump off the bed and bat at it.

"Minako? What's this?" "Ranma's braid, its how he sends mail when he doesn't want to write his name. He might get in trouble otherwise."

Artemis thought about it. "Then how did your parents know that Ranma sent the package?"

"Cause no one else has a braid like this." "How come he can cut it off?" " He has this weird curse that makes his hair grow really long unless he ties it with a special piece of string."

"......I'm at a loss for words......"

"Hey look, a letter. ahem"

Dear Minako

I left Nerima and am moving to Juuban. I'll be seeing you soon. If Sailor V needs help, I'll be around more.

"He's coming here?! to JUUBAN!"

"What's wrong Minako?"

"Ranma's coming to live in Juuban! Quick! um......"

*zoooooooooom*

faintly, Artemis can hear "Mom, can Ranma stay with us?"

The white cat snorted. ' no way she'll say yes...Minako must be insane to ask, he's a gu-'

"Of course he can stay! oh, I must get the guest room ready! Minako, we can't let him get away this time!"

"Right!"

"DAD!! Ranma's coming, help us!"

"Coming!!!! He ain't gonna get away this time."

"Go buy tranquilizers, dear!"

"I'm on it!"

'WAAHHH?' Artemis sweatdropped, REAL BIG, ' The world's turned upside down and left me here.'

Hino Shrine

"Grandpa! I'm home!" Rei walked into the kitchen to find a dusty Grandpa Hino sipping tea, with a package in front of him.

"Grandpa, why are you so dusty?"

"Rei, I have some good news." "Really?"

"Yes." Grandpa Hino gave a wide grin and handed her the pigtail. Rei gave him a confused look, took the pigtail, examined it for a second, then smelled it, and suddenly gave a very un-Rei like squeal and hugged it to herself.

Granpa Hino sweatdropped 'Wow, Rei never did that before. I think that I don't have to do anything to get Rei to jump him.'

Outside, two ravens were cawing laughingly.

At the Tsukino Residence

"Usagi!"

"YES?"

"Your Mother and I have something for you."

*patapatapatapata smack......patapatapata* Usagi's ever loving parents sweatdropped at the smack.

Usagi appeared with a lage bump forming on her head, it kind of looked like a meatball, adding to the two already on top of her head. It was obvious she fell on her face while running.

Still sweatdropping, Kenji handed the braid and the letter to his ever clumsy daughter.

"It's from Ranma! lessee,," she opens the letter.

"Dear Meatball Head, Tell y-HEY!!!! I AM NOT A MEATBALL HEAD!"

"Actually dear," her mother helpfully supplied, "you are, now in more ways than one."

At the same time

"Ami, dear?"

Ami looked up from her desk. "Yes Mom?"

Her mother sits down at the edge of the bed while Ami spins around to face her. "Mom, what is it?"

Her mother smiled, and handed her the pigtail while saying, "It seems that Ranma is moving to Juuban and I am going to invite him to stay with us."

"EHH?"

Insert picture of dumbstruck Ami holding pigtail.

Dr. Mizuno professionally classified the position as one of a love struck girl, and smiled, albeit a little on the evil side. She stood up and leaned close to Ami's ear.

"No need to hold back, you have my full support...If your need clothes or such, tell me, I can get you ANYTHING...."

Monday Night

Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru were watching TV when Setsuna walked in.

"Good, you're all here, I must speak with you."

Haruka switched the TV off as Setsuna sat on the couch.

"So, What do you need Setsuna?"

"A friend of mine needs a place to stay and I'm thinking about using one of the spare rooms......"

As she was speaking, she pulled out the letter from her purse and was bringing out the pigtail when Hotaru jumped up.

"THAT'S RANMA-SEPMPAI'S!"

At that, Haruka and Michiru both jumped up at the same time and grabbed at the braid. "Ranma! Lemme see that!"

They suddenly realized what happened, looked at each other and said together, "How do you know him!"

"Ahem," they turned back to Setsuna. " It seems to me like all of your know Ranma." Three nods and slight, but noticeable blushes.

"Interesting. Alright, starting from you Hotaru. how did you meet Ranma?"

Hotaru's blush became slightly deeper "um...well...He saved me from a bunch of bullies one day, and he comes by to check on me sometimes, maybe once a week or so, and he talks to me and teaches me martial arts whenever he is around."

"and you have a crush on him." Hotaru's blush intensified. "umm.."

Setsuna smiled. "Ranma can have that effect on girls, and queer men. Thank you Hotaru. Now Michiru."

Michiru looked thoughtful. "Hmm, I must have met Ranma about three or four years ago, back when I was still interested in guys. Oversimplified, I met him, became his friend, and after him, other guys just didn't seem right...I guess you can say he turned me off to all other guys...When he disappeared one day, I promised myself that I would get him back someday. He really was the last guy I was attracted to. After him, no one else is good enough." She then looked over to Haruka, "Well, except Haruka." who smiled.

"I see....." Setsuna's contemplative face now turned amused. "Haruka?, it's your turn."

Now was Haruka's chance to blush. "Ummmm.........oh my God, uhh, well, we went to the same all boy's junior high school together. I didn't have many friends at the time because I didn't want anyone knowing that I was a girl. Then Ranma showed up with this weird trick of reading one's aura or something and discovered that I was a girl." *Sigh* "He was so cute when he got confused and couldn't figure out why my aura was different from all the other guys in school...."Haruka's eyes seem to drift around in outer space.

"Go on, Haruka."

"Huh? Oh ya, uh, well anyways, I told him the truth, and we kept it as our secret, along with this Hibiki guy, who Ranma met in school. They started teaching me Martial Arts, some thing about the Saotome School Of Indiscriminate Grappling, but informally, he called it the Anything Goes."

"When we fought, he didn't hit me, he would just poke me in the ribs, and I would try to poke him back, and the couple times I did? His body is to DIE for.....Anyways, like Michiru, he was the one to turn me off to other guys. After him, other guys just seemed like perverts. I mean, if Ranma saw me half naked or somethin, he didn't even blink, but any other guy just stared at you, y'know?"

"Well, thank you Haruka, was there anything else you would like to add?"

"Except that he left before I could jump his bones, no, that's it. I did talk to him for a moment about four month ago, but he had to leave before anything could happen."

"So are we all agreed to let Ranma stay here?" Setsuna smiled. 'Ranma has more friends than I thought.'

Haruka and Michiru looked at each other, then at Hotaru, Looked at each other again, nodded, then turned back too the youngest member of the Senshi. "Hotaru?"

"Yes?"

"If you want to jump Ranma, be sure to be in your adult form." "OK!" Unnoticed by the others, Setsuna developed a very tiny sweatdrop on the back of her head.

Haruka smiled "Hotaru? do you want the braid?"

"It's OK, I already have one."

Michiru then whispered into her lover's ear. "Haruka, I think I have a good use for the braid tonight."

Setsuna got a even bigger sweatdrop, and a mind full of naughty thoughts involving her, the braid, and the Time Key.

That night, many other girls were holding braids instead of stuffed animals for bed.

Tuesday Noontime

The four sailor senshi who attended Juuban High were eating lunch at there usual spot underneath a tree. In the tree were two cats who were sharing their woes with each other.

"Minako just won't stop sighing over this boy that she's been talking about." Artemis put his paws over his ears and meowed pitifully. "Last night all she did was moan his name over an over again. I couldn't a wink of sleep!"

A haggard looking Luna responded in a equally haggard tone.

"I know how you feel. Usagi was doing the same thing last night. It was 'Oh Ranma! Harder! Faster!' almost the entire night. I'm glad that she's finally given up on her Mamo-chan, but moaning someone else's name in her sleep a week later is ....why are you looking at me like that?"

'The Princess was having a wet dream? I understand Minako, but...' He then realized something important, and coughed

*ehem* "Um, Minako was having a wet dream about a boy who just happens to be named Ranma as well. We'll, I think it was a boy, but sometimes she was talking like it was another girl..."

Under the tree

"What's wrong Usagi? You seem to be eating kind of slow today. Is Mamoru still bothering you?"

Everyone looked at Usagi, who had drool dripping off her chin while daydreaming. She suddenly snapped out of it, then noticed everyone looking at her.

"Why are you all looking at me?"

Makoto gestured with her chopsticks. "You aren't eating my bento?"

"huh?" Usagi looked down to see her half finished bento, lying *gasp* unfinished! Well, she'll correct that!

*SNARF*GOBBLE**MUNCH MUNCH* CHEW*GULP*SIGH

"There! All done!" Mass sweatdrop.

"So? What were you thinking about? Must have been important."

Usagi sighed dreamily, with stars in her eyes. "This boy I know is moving to Juuban."

Makoto smacked herself with her palm. 'should have known, Usagi is sighing over another guy..' She then smirked, 'I bet her boy cant compare to Ranma though.' She suddenly got a brilliant idea.

"I bet this boy of yours can't compare to my sempai!"

"CAN TOO!"

"CAN NOT!"

Ami raised her hand. "Makoto, we've never even seen your old sempai. In fact, I was starting to think that he didn't exist."

"FINE! I'll prove it to you! He's moving to Juuban soon, and I'll bring him over."

Minako perked up at that.

"Hey! I know a cute guy that's coming to Juuban too! Lets make this a contest, Everyone has to bring their man to a afternoon at Rei's and the losers has to buy the winner ice cream for a month."

She held her hand palm down between her, Usagi and Makoto, and her hand was quickly joined by three others.

"DEAL! hUH?"

The other three girls looked at Ami, who smiled a little mysteriously, and said, "I'll bring a man that will knock your boots off."

Up in the tree

Luna and Artemis shook their heads at the actions going on below.

"This can't be good.

The next day, at the weekly Senshi Meeting

All the Inners and, surprisingly, the Outers, with the exception of Setsuna, were present.

Minako was explaining the terms of the bet to Hotaru, and didn't notice the remaining two outers listening in on the couch behind her.

"...then we bring them over for an afternoon at Rei's, who already agreed. So, are you in?"

Behind her, Michiru and Haruka looked at each other, and said

"Deal!" startling Minako, in more ways than one. The room went quiet, and everyone swiveled their head towards the two Outers.

A long silence

Usagi queried plaintively "Haruka? Michiru? I thought you guys were lesbian."

The more elegant Outer smiled and shook her head. That's when Setsuna spoke up, from behind Usagi.

"Not purely, only driven to other alternatives when the guy they were chasing left. They turned into a kind of lesbian oriented bisexuals after he disappeared."

"EEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!DON'TDOTHATUSCAREDMEITHINKILOSTTENYEARSOFMYLIFE!"*gaspgasp*pantpant*

Setsuna smiled slightly.

Haruka then spoke. "We recently heard that our man is coming back and both Setsuna and Hotaru know him."

Setsuna turned to Minako. "The Outer Senshi agree, but the four of us are bringing the same man."

"Agreed."

Thursday Afternoon

The Inners were walking to Rei's house for their twice weekly study period when they were met by Setsuna and Hotaru at the bottom of the shrine stairs.

"Setsuna! Hotaru-chan!? What are you doing here!?"

" Setsuna-mama brought me here after school ended."

"Do not worry Rei, there is no trouble. I am here to meet someone. My friend said that he was arriving today and was going to pay his respects to a shrine before he did anything else. Naturally, I thought of the only shrine he might visit in Juuban, and here I am."

As they started up the long stairs, Usagi asked a reasonably intelligent question.

"Setsuna?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Why don't you just look for your friend in the Time Gate?"

"That is a good question. When I discovered him, I tried to kill him because he was the only person I was unable to alter or effect though the Time Gate. I was defeated, and he asked me why I was trying to kill him. I teleported back to the Gate, but he latched on for the ride, and soon after, we became friends. I stopped trying to kill him, but I am still unable to track him in the Gates of Time."

"YOU WERE DEFEATED!!?" An incredulous group of Inners stared slack jawed at the older woman.

*Sigh* "Yes, and quite soundly, I must admit, and in more ways than one."

They climbed on in silence for a few more moments.

Rei then spoke. "Why would your friend choose this shrine out of all the others in Juuban?"

"He doesn't like uptightness or rules, so he would probably visit the Cherry Hill Shrine for its more relaxing aura."

Suddenly, a growing suspicion began to form in Rei's stomach.

"Aura? He can feel auras? He wouldn't be a martial artist, would he?"

"Wh-"*Rustle*Thump* The green-haired woman was cut off when the group heard a heavy thump up ahead at the shrine.

"What was that?" yelled Minako, Rei, and Makoto, echoed by Usagi

They rushed up the rest of the stairs (they were pretty close to the top by now) and saw nothing.

"Huh?!"

They then rushed inside of the building, and saw Grandpa Hino sitting in the front room drinking tea.

*slam*Patapatapata* Swoosh*

"Oh, hi Rei, did you bring your friends over to study?"

"What was that thud just now, Grandpa?"

"Huh? Hmm....if your here, then who's in the furo? I thought I heard the heavy window being slammed a minute ago."

Unnoticed by the others, Setsuna and Hotaru had already walked off by themselves to the furo.

(I gave the shrine a furo with a changing room)

They walked in the changing room, and saw a black satchel on the table with a black cat sleeping on top it.

Stepping past the cat, they entered the room the Furo was contained. Steam greeted them. Peering past the steam, they saw a long black braid hang over the side of the furo facing them.

Setsuna called out

"Ranma? Is that you?"

"Setsuna?" Head turned around halfway "What are you doing here."

*paptaptataSCREEECCHH*

The rest of the girls rushed in, and screeched to a abrupt halt in shock.

"RANMA!" As if realizing what they had said, they then looked at each other in shock. "HOW DO YOU KNOW HIM!"

"HUH?!" The boy in the bath turned all the way around, while keeping most of his body submerged. "What are all you guys doing here!"

End Chapter 1

There's the first full length chapter of this story! Review and commentary accepted. Flames are accepted but not appreciated all that much. Constructive criticism is allowed however.

It may take me 2 weeks to a month for a single chapter. Then again, I might get inspired and write a chapter in a week, but don't expect any miracles. Tell me what you think of this story!

Chapter 2 Teaser

"Hey now! Hands off! I thought you two were lesbians!"

"So did everyone else....but they're wrong, and so are you."