Disclaim me do rey mi fa so la ti do. I don't own Ranma or Tenchi or any thing else that may be hinted at in here. So much fanfiction has been written that is guaranteed that anything I write is probably plagiarism of some sort.

Brief A/N:

Frodo and Mary Sue live!…in the Poconos.

This is a revision and reposting of this chapter. I tried to follow some of Gangsta Spanksta's advice. And thank everyone for their honest criticism and helpful comments.

Mihoshi's link will become a mere communication link when Ranma reestablishes his connection to LinOhki.

A Horse and His Cabbit

Hello Nerth 3

RanmaRanmaRanmaRanmaRanmaRanma

All of the girls were in Washu's palatial subspace bathhouse, including Ranma and RyoOhki. RyoOhki was in her toddler form and she was staring intently at Ranma, who was returning the favor.

Mihoshi called out to Ranma, "Why don't you and RyoOhki join us? The water feels wonderful." Ranma glanced at the pool. 'Beautiful women-check, in the water up to their necks-check (whew!), steam from water may help hide embarrassment-check, may as well risk it. Ranma bounded to the pool's edge while RyoOhki strolled over, removing her jumper.

Ranma leapt in and began swimming toward Mihoshi, who gasped at what she saw. Her gasp was repeated by all females present, including RyoOhki who shifted to her cabbit form and entered the pool wearing a lidded gaze.

Mihoshi was surprised. "Ranma, your fur is black now and your gem turned red!" She picked the cabbit up to admire her new look and took on a look of shock. "Washu! Ranma's not a girl cabbit any more! Look! Naughty bits! Look!" Ranma shrank into himself at being held up for display, however innocently, by Mihoshi. "Oh, I'm sorry Ranma. I didn't mean to embarrass you." She set him into her lap, allowing him to sit comfortably, head above the water.

Washu was moving around to get a better look, the 'I've found a guinea pig' look in her eyes. RyoOhki was swimming toward him with an entirely different look, one that said the equivalent of, 'Oh My! KenOhki looks like an adolescent to this deliciously male, male. KenOhki who?' RyoOhki began to emit pheromones to match those that Ranma was unconsciously sending out. Ryoko instantly recognized what was going on as RyoOhki started nuzzling an increasingly nervous Ranma. About that time the other women noticed the smell and pronounced a group "EEWWW!"

Ryoko shouted "She's in heat!" All of the female humanoids made to get out of the pool as fast as they could and headed for the showers on one side of the room to wash off the pungent scent.

Ranma had memories of pets and farm animals at farms and monasteries that he and his father stopped at during their journeys and animals in heat. Something clicked. RyoOhki was a type of animal, sort of. He was also a type of animal, sort of. He and RyoOhki were both cabbits. He began to feel dizzy from whatever perfume was in the air. It. Did. Smell. Good. RyoOhki began to gently push him toward the edge of the pool. As the two cabbits left the pool, Ranma's thoughts began to scramble as RyoOhki nuzzled him, nipping him behind his ears every once in a while. His conscious mind fled, but his body went on in autopilot, which was just fine with the female cabbit.

Ryoko said "Let's get out of here!" The women dressed quickly and exited the bathing area. Washu set the area recording functions to get as much data as possible before anything else happened. Taking one last look at the act in progress, Washu grinned like a possum eating poop as she reluctantly closed the door.


Late the next day, two cabbits left the women's bathing area. RyoOhki was absolutely glowing and now smelled like sakura blossoms. She seemed like she only needed a feather in her mouth to have 'The Look'. Ranma's fur was in disarray and he moved very carefully. He had a look of his own, sort of a horrified enjoyment. He cracked an eye open and looked at Mihoshi and jumped into her lap, falling to sleep in an instant.

Mihoshi looked over at Washu and said, nervously, "Ranma doesn't exactly blame you for this, accident, but if you don't give him what he needs to be human again, SOON, he will #$&)(#!$&#$# you and smile about it." This time, only Washu and Katsuhito became stone statues with red ears and crossed eyes as only they knew what the very esoteric martial arts technique involved was.

Later, it was discovered that water was Ranma's gender trigger, when Mihoshi was giving the sleeping Ranma a sponge bath with cold water. Since he was asleep Washu had Mihoshi take him to the lab where she alternated cool and warm water baths while scanning him and her deeply with her most advanced instrumentation. She finally infused him with enough Masu to allow him to reach fully adult status. "I wonder if he'll be a man among men like he's a buck among buck cabbits (insert maniacal laughter)!"

Washu then got RyoOhki's cooperation using a basket of carrots as a bribe. After an hour of analysis, they came out of the lab. The little cabbit had a very human-like grin and Washu had the 'possum' grin again. The other residents were seated around the den waiting on food to finish cooking, Sasami having completed everything but one item in the oven. Ranma was in Mihoshi's lap being petted by the blonde klutzand Kiyone.

"Well, everyone, it appears that cabbits won't be an endangered species any time soon. RyoOhki is pregnant! Seven times over, not counting her 'backup'." Everyone had a shocked look and Ranma fainted. "Ryoko. The only reason that KenOhki and RyoOhki went at it for six months is that it took that long for her to get pregnant. Her heat is over and it's a good thing that the eggs can incubate indefinitely because I don't know what we'll do with all those cabbits, three males and four females."

Ryoko was going "Buhdee buhdee buhdee yuh buhdee…"

Ranma was doing the same in his mind and the feedback had Mihoshi going "Buhdee buhdee buhdee yuh buhdee…" in time to Ryoko. Her head jerked every so often, like a vinyl record skipping.

Katsuhito was chuckling while Tenchi looked embarrassed at the lidded gazed Ayeka was giving him.

Ryoko suddenly recovered "Hey! Miss royal panties, don't even think about doing that with MY Tenchi!"

"Like you would even know what I think, you old monster woman!"

Ryoko blasted Ayeka through the open doors before her shield had time to fully implement and followed her outside. Battle sounds followed.

Sasami stated in a slightly oblivious, Kasumiesque way, "Don't they play well together. Well, I'll go get dinner set out. The dining room will be ready in fifteen minutes."

Ranma 'toinged' into wakefulness at that.

Washu, noting his sudden awakening said, "Ranma why don't you see if you can come to dinner in your human form."

He stared at her and swayed as if on the verge of fainting again. The cabbit took on a look of intense concentration and began to grow until a young man with long black hair and a red gem in the center of his forehead stood before them. He took a look at his hands in wonder and suddenly glomped Washu's adolescent form. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She grinned and grew to her bombshell adult form and returned the glomp with a hug. RyoOhki frowned and left the room with a tear running down one cheek, something Washu didn't miss.

"Hey big boy, why don't we go to my room and I can get rid of these irritating clothes…"

Ranma looked confused for a second when a draft told him why some of the observers eyes were so large. Instantly, he grabbed a pillow to belatedly hide one part of his anatomy and backed into a corner. "I'msorrypleasedon'tkillmeI'msorrypleasedon'tkillmeI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry…" was coming out rapid-fire, as a disappointed Washu returned to her twelve year old's body.

"Don't worry Ranma, its okay. Its not anything I haven't seen before, though I am impressed that you live up to your name. Now why don't we get every one into the dining room and you can tell us all about it over a good meal. Err, as soon as you get dressed. Tenchi, your clothes might fit, though they may be tight in the shoulders and one other place."


Fifteen minutes later, all but Washu and RyoOhki were seated at the table. Ayeka and Ryoko's hair was a little burned but they had cleaned up a bit. They were staring at the young Adonis along with the rest of the females, making Ranma feel like a piece of meat that was being evaluated by a chef.

It was at that point that Washu entered the room followed by an stunningly exotic young woman whose eyes were downcast. She wore a robe decorated with a carrot motif. Claws on bare feet click clicked on the floor as she walked. The mostly mad scientist had a suspicious gleam in her eye. Ranma didn't need to be told who it was. He leapt up and lightly hugged the woman and whispered into her ear, "I couldn't help myself but I 'will' be a good father…a better father than mine was. You're way beyond kawaii." Tears began to stream down the fur of the cabbit girl's face. "Hey don't cry. I don't know anythin about relationships but maybe we can be friends and go from there, just don't cry. I can't handle cryin."

RyoOhki spoke, Ryoko and Washu wore surprised looks, "Miyahh. Rrranmma I'mm sorry that I took advvantage of you. It wasn't yourr fault. I'mm not an animmmal orr a pet eitherr."

"I can't believe that I'll be a daddy and I still say that I'll be there for ya. At the very least, I'll be there for ya as a friend and a father for our kids." RyoOhki renewed her hug and crying into Ranma's shoulder. "Come on, enough cryin. Let's get some eatin done.

Ranma told his story of growing up on a training journey, making and losing friends and of the disasters that befell when he and his father entered Jusenkyo's waters. When he finished, with his attempt to acquire masu to regain his gender and humanity, the people around him were reacting according to their natures.

Eventually the anger auras died down and the death threats against Genma's hide were squelched when Ranma reserved the right for his father's punishment, if any.


When dinner was finished RyoOhki stepped outside, wearing a pensive look on her face. For once, Ranma saw this and followed.

RyoOhki walked along the margin of the lake, immersed in memories, including the ones in her databanks. They were all there. Interacting with Ranma had somehow catalyzed her intellect and what used to be sensed in a haze became crystal clear. She HAD been an animal, a useful pet, a weapon and pack mule. Ryoko was in for a surprise if she expected blind obedience from now on. She wondered if Ranma could 'awaken' KenOhki, but for some reason it aggravated her to think of Ranma doing the same thing that had thrust her into sentience.

The people here had become like a family to her, but she wondered, could her, Ranma and their children become a real family? Ranma's promise to be a friend and a good father to their children brought a powerful emotion welling up to fill her to the bursting point. Was it…could she be…could she be in love? Tears began to run down her cheeks anew. Even if she loved Ranma, he couldn't love her. She had trapped him through blind instinct and she felt through their loose link that he would rebel against any forced relationship. Her crying became vocal as a sad mewing carried over the water.

She felt fingers lift her chin to stare into the bottomless blue pools that belonged to the being that had awakened her to the pain of being sentient, to have a feeling that some things might be right or wrong. she reached up and wrapped her arms around Ranma while still searching his eyes for something that matched what she felt. He said nothing for long moments, which for once was exactly the right thing to do. He placed an arm around her waist and they walked.

Their path carried them to a shallow pool surrounding a truly large tree and across stepping stones to a bower nestled at its base. Ranma sat and pulled her into his lap and looked at the stars through the foliage so high above. Sparkling points of light moved about them, like magical fireflies.

Finally, Ranma broke the silence, barely speaking above a whisper. "Ryo-chan, I gotta tell ya. I'm scared ta death of what's gonna happen. I came to myself a couple of hours after we started…you know. It was the greatest thing in tha world. I could feel what a nice, wonderful person ya were. Forget about us bein animals. Ya were a person dressed in a cute animal body. It wasn't mind reading we were doin, but it was somethin better. Kinda like we was sharin our souls."

"Ranma, that's just what I was feeling. I didn't know if you were getting the same response I was or not. I-I fell in love. I'm pretty positive. Yes, I know I fell in love with you."

"How come ya can speak so good now? Ya were barely able to talk, before."

"Silly anata, that's what comes of having an ultra computer as a part of you. Things like language are a snap when you realize what you can do by just thinking it."

RyoOhki's smile was so unbearably cute that he pulled her to him and started a kiss that was returned in full measure. A large pink aura sprang up around the two that didn't dissipate after the kiss was done.

Ranma asked, "Do ya want ta find out what its like in the bodies we're wearin now?"

Her only reply was a nod as she pulled him down onto the fragrant grass as the firefly like motes of light continued to sparkle about as if reveling in the pink glow coming from the two. In the branches overhead a ghostly woman with long twin ponytails smiled before disappearing. She was thinking, 'It looks like my sister has got the beginnings of a new people. I approve.'


RyoOhki woke up to a feeling of exquisite fulfillment. She opened her eyes to see her lover's long red hair, sparkling with dew in the morning light. Apparently the change had happened when the moisture in the air had condensed enough to cause it. She gazed raptly at the petite figure of her special someone and wrapped the small girl into a snug embrace, her eyes glistening with emotion.

"Wake up, anata, we have a lot to do."

Ranma groaned. She opened her eyes and froze, relaxing when memory returned. "Ryo-chan, was last night as wonderful as I remember?"

"No. It was better." They untangled arms and legs to stand up, taking each other's appearance. "Nice tail, by the way." Ranma looked over her shoulder at the new appendage, while RyoOhki took on a distant look and a short kimono-like robe decorated with carrots in a cross stitch motif shimmered into existence on her lithe body.

Ranma 'saw' how she did it and a few seconds of concentration later was dressed in black silk pants with ankle ties and a blue silk shirt with a rearing stallion facing a western dragon on the front. Her tail extended from an ingenious flap in the back of her pants. "Why don't we clean up in the onsen before breakfast. I'd like ta be a man for ya."

They came together and kissed deeply before walking back to the house, arm in arm. Ranma asked, " When do ya want the wedding?" RyoOhki looked at Ranma in stunned happiness, eyes once again glistening. "I know ya could probably do a lot better'n me, but I want ta be able ta take ya ta my Mom, if she's still alive, that is. What about you is your mom still around?"

RyoOhki looked saddened. "If I have a mother, it would have to be Washu-chan. You see, she created KenOhki and I out of Masu and some mineral life forms. She must have included some of her own dna for me to be able to gain this form you see. Ryoko would then be kind of a sister with a blend of Masu and Washu's genes."

As they neared the house, Ranma could tell that breakfast had just begun preparation and she thought of a way to cheer up the slightly depressed looking cabbit girl. "Hey, Sasami's gonna be a while getting breakfast ready. Why don't we get some trainin in on our way ta the onsen?" Ranma shrunk down to her red-furred cabbit form and made a silly face with crossed eyes and long tongue out, going "Biidaaa!"

RyoOhki nearly fell over with laughter, as she shifted to her own brown, black and white furred cabbit form. She began to give chase on the ground, through the treetops and in the air while Ranma dodged and mostly missed or phased through obstacles while going backwards the whole time, never failing to make a ridiculous face. The two continuously were miyahing up a storm of cabbit laughter.


The cabbits were being observed from the portico. Washu was in a reflective mood and Katsuhito stood silently beside her admiring the way that Ranma was using martial arts moves as a cabbit and, unbeknownst to RyoOhki, was training her in them as well.

After a few minutes the cabbits disappeared into the onsen and chased the other female occupants out with a great deal of splashing and loud giggling. "You know, Washu-chan, it isn't too late to be a mother to your daughters." She turned away, staring at the onsen. He didn't see it but he could sense the lonely tear tracking down her cheek as he went inside.


At breakfast, a freshly scrubbed Ranma and RyoOhki were sitting as if glued at the hip. Ranma's tail was notably missing in his male form. Ayeka and Ryoko were seated beside Tenchi, making him very uncomfortable. Kiyone, Mihoshi, Sasami and Washu were in the other seats with Katsuhito at the head of the low table. All were watching Ranma inhale his food in horror. After a minute, the young martial artist noticed and reduced the rate of eating to one more polite. "I'm sorry, my father and even the Amazons ta a lesser amount viewed eating as martial art training."

"I hope that you won't continue to practice that vulgar display of macrophagia in this house." This was Ayeka pontificating.

"Well your high pantywad, I think that my nephew's just a guy with a healthy appetite. Right 'Mom', he is Ryo-chans son's brother…err…sister?"

A light went off in Ranma's head. "Do you mean that Lin-chan was a boy…cabbit? It figures. We were both in the spring of drowned young girl and she never got hit with hot water. According to KhoLun, the spring won't make us related, but I got changed different from other people that fall inta the springs, probly cause Lin-chan was still in the egg. Anyway, thing is that I'm not related ta Ryo-chan and I'm gonna marry her."

He was met by silence from around the table.

"Well! She's gonna have my babies an my honor won't let them be without a father and a name. AND, by the kami, I'll do my best to be a good father ta 'em."

Katsuhito interrupted Ranma, "That's all well and good, but the Juraian empire will not be happy with beings as powerful as yourselves just running around unchecked…"

"Well, I-they won't. They will be raised as martial artists. A martial artist's first duty is ta protect the weak an those that can't defend themselves an if anyone thinks that they can lord it over my friends, family or the weak…well, they better watch out. Ya are all friends an gonna be family, but don't make me choose between ya anMY 'family' ya won't like the answer."

"That is just the answer I wanted to hear, Ranma." Surprisingly, this came from Washu. Katsuhito merely sat back and nodded. "I think that you are the perfect husband…or whatever for my youngest daughter. RyoOhki can you forgive me for taking advantage of you? I'll be there for you in the future. My children are going to be a force in this universe and I want to be there for them."

RyoOhki spoke quietly, "Something I had always missed was a parent." Ranma nudged her and she went to Washu and took her hands. "I love Ranma very much and it means a lot that you affirm our choice. I hope you'll never be sorry."

"If we're going to make this work, we have to get you recognized as a sentient group. Thanks to Ranma's dip in the spring, I think that you will qualify as an adopted subset of humanity, a very special subset that I will take responsibility for at the court of Jurai. Part of this process will be to give you a proper wedding on Jurai."

"Thanks Mom, ya got my vote now. Uhh by the way, can you use your computer ta find my mom. I haven't seen her in over ten years and want ta introduce her ta my new family."

"BUWHAA HA HA HA HA HA! That's nothing to the greatest scientific genius in the universe!" 'I still got it!' "I'll find her and we'll have her here at lunch! Bye, got a job to get to." Everyone sweatdropped at Washu's return to her normal self.

Katsuhito averred, "If your mother is alive, Ranma, Washu will have done exactly as she said by noon. We have a guest room, you and Ryo-chan can retire there to 'discuss' your plans."

'Discussion' did not exactly cover their activity for the remainder of the morning. Katsuhito did interrupt Washu to request more insulation for the walls of the guest room.


Just before noon the residents were sitting around the dining room table, waiting on the last person to arrive. Ranma was nervous. Could his mother-in-law deliver on her promise? Small talk dominated the conversation in anticipation of an announcement.

When Washu finally walked in she maintained a straight face until she was almost at the table when she broke out in laughter. "Oh. I am the best. I found her in minutes, but setting up a tracking portal took a bit." A snap of her fingers brought her holographic monitor and keyboard. On the screen, Ranma could see a kimono clad woman who resembled his girl form. He wondered where the red hair had come from, since it was so rare in Japan. Washu brought out a remote with one red button and said "Say hello to your mother, Ranma!" Pushing the button caused the monitor to expand into a door sized opening to somewhere, just as the woman stepped through.

The portal vanished. Washu said "Hello Nodoka Saotome, welcome to the Masaki shrine."

Upon realizing that she had been transported somewhere without being asked, she pulled a katana and its sheath from the silk wrapped bundle in her arms. In spite of the restrictive kimono she took, what was to Ranma, a very workman-like offensive stance. His respect for her was solidly set from that opening move.

"Who are you and how did I get here!" In a tone that showed a trace of anger.

"Well, I just thought that Ranma's mother would want to be involved in his wedding plans."

Ranma piped up, "Hi Mom!"

Nodoka took in Ranma and the odd looking girl latched onto him and rolled her eyes up into her head and fainted. Her son caught her, avoiding the falling blade. He set her onto the couch. Washu said, "I guess that went as well as expected. She'd better brace herself when she wakes up." She took what looked like a whoopee cushion from the air and squeezed it under the woman's nose, creating a flatulent noise. The smell of ammonia caused several to wrinkle their noses.

"Huh…Zwhaa?"

Katsuhito decided to take the lead, to neutralize some people's lack of tact. "I'm sorry for the abrupt way that you were brought here. Some, living here are given to bouts of impetuosity. Again, My apologies."

"Ranma. Son, is that really you."

"Yes, Mom. It's me. I asked Washu-chan over there ta…to help me find you. I've missed ya…you for so long. I couldn't even picture what you looked like any more, but one look and I knew. I knew it was you." Tears started to run down his face. "Mom, before an accident happens, I gottta…I've got to tell you about what has happened since I left with Pops."

So Ranma told his story again while everyone ate the repast provided by Sasami. Two hours later, "…and that's why I want to get married to RyoOhki. It's the only honorable way to handle it."

Nodoka had remained quiet through the whole story, no matter how fantastic. When she looked at the others seated at the table when some particularly outrageous part of the tale was recounted, they didn't bat an eye, or would add some even more unbelievable bit to the story.

When she sensed that it was done, she took a deep breath and counted to fifty in an attempt to calm herself. "Ranma, your fiancée is a beautiful exotic woman, but I am hard pressed not to discount your story without proof."

"Of course, Mom, I'd think it was crazy too, but I wanted you to know all of it first. Watch carefully." Ranma and RyoOhki shrank to reveal two cabbits staring at her with sadness filling their eyes.

Nodoka gasped, "Oh my!" Her hand covered her mouth. "Can can you restore yourselves." They complied. "Now what about you changing into a girl?"

Ranma took a glass of water set well to one side for that purpose and poured it over his head. Nodoka's heart almost broke over the sad look in her daughter's eyes as she looked through her dripping bangs. "Oh my darling son…daughter, whatever." She gently took Ranma into her arms.

"You aren't going to ask me to commit seppuku?"

"Child, that was just a fiction of your father to justify kidnapping you from me. I would never ask you to do something so barbaric." She tightened her hug. "Do you really transform into a space ship?"

"Yeah, Mom, actually I think of myself as a starship. Though I haven't done that yet… So how do you feel about seven grand kids?"

Washu piped in, "Ranma, I set up a monitor for that purpose and Fertile Myrtle there has twelve little ones developing nicely. I should have a contraceptive implant ready this evening."

Nodoka jumped up and did a short fan dance, "Grandkids!" until her eyes rolled up into her head and she had fainted, falling on top of Ranma who had fainted the instant that Washu had passed on the good news.


The rest of the afternoon was spent with the mother's, son-daughter and daughter getting acquainted or reacquainted on the porch overlooking the lake. Katsuhito just stood thinking about Achika and going over his long memories and lost loves at the shrine. Late evening brought Tenchi's father home from a two week business trip to America. Tenchi brought him up to date on the happenings, actually slapping his father when he went on about getting his video camera to catch the bedroom action that night.


Next day:

(Insert standard Ranma-Tenchi sparring session followed by equally standard Ranma-Ryoko grudge match because Ranma won, all moderated-orchestrated by Katsuhito.)

Ranma lay, face into the lawn, after Ryoko had called up the mother of all hammers when he had stuck his foot halfway down his throat asking how old she was and was she a 'house sitter' for tombs awaiting their rightful occupants.

RyoOhki and Nodoka were helping Ranma get up when Tenchi, Ayeka, Katsuhito and Sasami disappeared into thin air. Washu brought up tactical and announced "They've been kidnapped and a shielded bomb is on its way. Folks we got thirty seconds to get the hell out of dodge or we're all dead!"

Ranma looked at RyoOhki and the two nodded at each other. Shortly, two massive ships left in pursuit, carrying their precious cargo, just as the bomb's wave front temporarily caught up and passed them. The two cabbits accelerated, chasing the obviously Juraian vessel after such a cowardly attack. A third cabbit ship pulled into the line. Ranma was relieved that LinOhki had done okay. He prepared to contact the other two as they all followed the enemy into the event horizon of a wormhole.

08JAN06