Chapter 4

Phoenix Trouble

Vegeta had just walked in when that little tidbit was dropped, to say Vegeta was floored was like saying the Pacific Ocean was a lake. He stood there stunned for a few moments. "What are you saying woman, that Kakkarot has another sibling?"

Bulma gave him a dry look, "Nothing gets past you does it," she stated holding up the paper, "That's what it says here, Vegeta," Bulma explained waving the paper in front of him.

After a few moments of uneasy silence Vegeta grumbled, "What does this have to do with me?"

Bulma shrugged, "Thought you'd like to know that's all, since you're so proud of your race," she stated. Vegeta turned on his heel and left, I could distinctly here him growl under his breath walking away.

I quietly looked at the paper not really making heads or tails of it, but acted like I did. "Man, to think all this time Ranma and Gohan are cousins, heh it's going to knock them for a loop." I quietly put the paper in my pocket kiss Bulma on the cheek. "Thanks, Auntie Bulma you're the best."

Bulma blushed heavily at this, and gently swatted my arm. "Get going before I start drilling you about Krillin and his wife," she stated, not needing to be told twice and secretly apologizing Krillin in advance for the phone call he'll be receiving I headed back home first to tell my mom what I found out.

Once I arrived home I got my ass chewed out for worrying her, I quickly apologized for not calling and anything I missed. Then spent the next hour telling her about the events on the boat trip, the kidnapping, but left out the part about Nabiki kissing me, I rather her not know that at this point. Then I just as I was about to talk about the fact she had a sister-in-law, the phone rang. Mom went over to the phone, she answered it and a few minutes into the conversation she started to glare at me for some reason. "Shiro there is a girl on the phone for you," she stated in a cool voice. Going to the phone I watched as my mother grumbled heading back to the dining room table, a part of me hoped it was Akane or Videl on the phone. Akane would be easy to explain while Videl would get Gohan in hot water, a win/win situation there. However this proved to be not the case, Nabiki was on the other line.

"Oh hey Nabs what's up?" She goes on to tell me about the things I already brought to light earlier. As we progressed she seemed rather pleased with what I did, "Thanks, I got some serious tidbits to bring to you tomorrow."

"Really, will I able to sell them this time?" Nabiki asked I could almost feel her smile.

With a mental shrug, "Not really sure, I guess you could but, only if you're a good girl," I replied with a smile. This friendly bantering back and forth had been going on for nearly a month now. It was a refreshing turn of events; I leaned against the wall listening to her as she mock pouted over the phone.

"Must be good if your teasing me," she said, I could hear her change ears apparently ready settle in for a long conversation. "Well anyway care to explain how you broke the news to Mrs. Saotome; because when she suddenly popped up here she tore into the panda, I've never seen anyone in my life that scary."

I knew what it's like to be on the wrong end of the Riot Act which is usually wordy and poorly thought out, "Whatever happened the panda got what was coming to him," I said with a spat.

I could hear Nabiki chuckle just a bit, "Well, he was given two options, either commit seppuku or atone for every dishonorable act and then be cast out of the Saotome Clan. The fat slob chose number two," Nabiki said I could hear her shudder a bit, "But did you have to tell her everything?"

I could sense she was uneasy, "Better to let her know at a point where she could have thought things out clearly than on the spot, the panda should thank me, if I waited until we reached the house to tell everything, he be missing his head right now."

"Well the only thing he missing now is his pride and his ear," she said rather calmly, "Strange though is my dad was really calm throughout everything."

I smiled gently, "Really, you should know by how amazing a little affection from a girl can do to give confidence to a man." I could feel Nabiki smile through the phone and could almost feel the warmth in it.

"Talking from personal experience?" she asked.

I chuckled softly, "Yeah, you could say that," It's through this bit of conversation and no doubt from the kind smiles I was giving, that sparked a strange sensation in my stomach. I looked up to see my mother giving me a glare that could drop Cell dead without much fighting. "Uh, listen Nabs I better go, forgot to tell my mom about you and I."

I could hear my beloved Nabiki give a tsking sound, "Now, Shi-chan you should know better than that, your mom has a right know you're dating."

Pausing slightly feeling my heart beating faster, "Well, don't worry, I'll just tell her about Gohan and Videl, that should get me off the hook for a little while."

"That's cruel even for you my Shi-chan," made my heart flutter a bit her saying that. "Well if you're still alive later, call me back," she said softly.

For a brief moment I wanted to more than to just call her back, I wanted to hang up the phone. Run outside and fly to the Tendo training Hall at that point. But it would have to wait until after I told my immediate family about the info I have. "Like I said I got that little secret to give my family then I need to talk to Ranma, afterward how about we talk then."

I could hear her giggle slightly, "Okay it's a date then, see you soon," she said softly, hearing a click I hung up the phone went to face my executioner.

"Who was that?" mom asked.

I shrugged taking a sip of my milk, never did like tea. "Simple mom, that was my girlfriend."

Mom looked ready to burst, "What do you mean? Is her family rich? What is she like?"

I had to bite my down hard to keep from laughing, few things could get me to do so and seeing Chichi go ballistic because one of her son's had basically told her he was dating. I knew she wasn't going to like the next thing I had to say, "Well I'm not the only one, Gohan's got a girlfriend too," I state looking mildly offended.

"WHAT?" Chichi exploded stretching her wash towel twice its normal length, "Why are you doing this to your poor mother?"

I sensed Gohan entered the house, and quickly sat out of the line of fire as he rounded the corner, with Goten on his shoulder. "Hi mom, sorry I'm late."

Chichi growled standing up fist clenched at her sides glaring down her middle child, "Why because you were smooching your girlfriend, leaving your mother to stay home to worry about you?"

Gohan gently set Goten down then tried to fend off his mother verbal tirade, "But mom were only friends, and I never kissed her, yet," this brought mom to tears.

"YET!" mom cried dropping to her knees. I wondered why it would matter at all, because her sons were getting interested in girls. This kind of thing happened in the original DBZ series when Videl stayed with Gohan to learn how to fly. Now with two older sons it seemed Chichi even more outrageous.

Gohan looked at me for a second then leaned toward, "You told her about Videl?"

I shrugged looking a bit worried, "Had to tell her something, Nabiki called telling me about Ranma's mom finding out his curse, and well after that Nabiki and I got to talking."

"So are you guys official, I mean that..." Gohan's words were muffled for a few moments namely because I had my hands over his mouth to keep him from finishing his sentence.

"Icksnay on the Ickss ay, bro," I smiled nervously speaking in pig Latin. "And yes we made it official," I smiled which only brought more tears to our mother's eyes. The entire time Goten looked utterly confused, for good reason being too young to understand the meaning of girls yet. Though in most DBGT fan fics Goten is usually put together with Bra, but that's another story and not one I'm willing to elaborate on. "Oh before I forget got some really awesome news for you all," I state getting excited.

Goten seemed to pick up on it, "What!" he asked jumping up and down.

I slowly sat waiting for mom and Gohan to take seats which wasn't easy considering mom was still in her 'I have two ungrateful sons' mode. But she gradually calmed waiting to hear what I had to say. "Well a few months ago while we were training Ranma I noticed how he seemed to get stronger after every sparring match, regardless of whether he won or loss. Nabiki also," I heard mom growl at the name, "told me how Ranma would comeback against an opponent he lost to and beat them soundly the next time around, what would say that reminded you of?"

Gohan frowned for a moment thinking, "Reminds me of what Vegeta said about Saiyan zenkai boosts," he replied looking intrigued, "But Shiro, Ranma can't be a Saiyan if he was he either be dad's or Vegeta's son."

I smiled shaking my head, "That's normally true but what I told you there was another Saiyan, you see before I told her about Ranma's curse I asked her about herself and she told me that she was adopted by a rather influential family. Now even before that I asked Bulma to run a search on Mrs. Saotome medical records most of which were sealed except for Ranma's birth records and a record of an operation done on her when she was three, about a TAIL bone reconstruction," picking up the less than subtle hint I gave Gohan connected the dots.

"You mean Mrs. Saotome came to earth the same time dad did?" Gohan asked looking utterly shocked.

I smiled, "Now here's the kicker," I pulled out the sheet of paper that Bulma gave me and handed it to Gohan who apparently could read the genetics, he had a natural gift for it.

"No way, is this right?" Gohan asked I simply nodded. While all this was happening mom and Goten were lost. Gohan turned to them looking like someone hit him with a shock stick. "Mom, this paper says that dad came to Earth with his twin sister."

Chichi eyes widen, "Does this mean?"

"That Nodoka Saotome, is your sister-in-law, and Ranma is my and Goten's cousin," Gohan said softly. "We've been hanging around with him all this time and we never knew it."

Taking everything in, Gohan, Goten, and Chichi looked lost in thought, so the four of us took the night to reflect on this bit of information. By morning we subtly came to terms on what was revealed and mom was ready to meet her sister-in-law with an enthusiasm I have not seen in her since the time she tried to fly the Capsule Corp replacement ship to Namek only to have it crash and burn. Gohan and I took the lead, flying on ahead while Goten flying on Nimbus and mom flying in her car. Little did we know that events that took place originally in volume 38 of Ranma manga had taken place the previous night and Ranma was now in China about to battle with Saffron for Akane's very life.

Gohan and I landed in the Tendo backyard, Nabiki ran up to me looking almost in a panic, "Shiro please, some weirdo's with wings took my sister with them, Ranma, Ryoga, Mousse, and Shampoo went after them, but?"

I gently put my hands on her shoulders I could feel her relax a bit, "How long ago was this?"

Tears were forming in her eyes, "Last night, I don't know if they got to China or not," this whole situation should been in the back of my mind, but the excitement of finding out about Nodoka and my father had drove this completely from my mind. I quickly probed for Ranma's ki and found it, I also didn't like what I was sensing from Akane, her ki was slowly fading, that meant she had been turned into the dehydrated doll.

"Gohan, Ranma needs us badly," Gohan no doubt sensing what I was, quickly nodded, just as Goten landed on the Nimbus.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I patted his little shoulder before lifting into the air, "Goten tell mom, Ranma and Akane are in trouble and we went to help." With a nod Gohan and I ignited our ki, propelling us toward China at high speeds, I don't know how fast we could go all I know is that I could get to Japan from the United States in about five minutes, at half speed. So we arrived in China focusing in on Ranma just as our cousin entered the Phoenix king's palace, dropping down we came up behind him.

He didn't outwardly acknowledge us as we walked alongside him. "Where's pig boy?" I asked looking down at Akane, whose eyes were half opened.

"Got ambushed by Shampoo, Mousse is taking care of her," Ranma stated as we came into a huge room, in the center of it were two familiar looking beings, at least to me and Gohan. It also showed that the world was beginning to change.

"Ranma, what's the deal with Akane?" I asked he knew Gohan and I could sense ki so he didn't need to ask how we knew Akane was the doll in his shirt.

Ranma looked worried, "If I don't get her to this dragon water faucet she'll die," he stated softly as the figures came into view. One was short pale and fat, looking like some girl's sick doll, the other looked more like refined old gentleman, both were wearing baggy red and black pants, yellow shirts, with black vest, and those vest was a red ribbon, with the RR insignia on them.

I frowned, "Vegeta blew Android 19 to pieces, and Android 17 ripped you apart, Gero," I heard Ranma gasp slightly.

Gero smirked slightly, "That may have been but you should know that my computer network is on every corner of the globe along with several laboratories, unfortunately these bodies are the last known android vessels left, your bald headed friend made sure of that." Saffron was sitting on a throne behind them looking rather malevolent at the scene before him.

"So what's your deal with bird boy?" I asked watching Saffron bristle at the comment.

Gero didn't seem to be forthcoming with an explanation and sense neither Gohan nor I could sense Ki from androids mostly because they didn't give any we were at huge disadvantage. Then I froze for a second and smiled, then again Gero's computers may work fast, but I doubt it knew about my transformation a couple of days ago. "Ranma go for the fountain!" I powered up to Super Saiyan and without further pondering attacked Android 19 with everything I had. I threw punches and kicks, blocking dodging, and countering each of his moves. making each time I did I stayed well clear of his little palm lenses and there rather draining effect on me. But unlike me, 19 wasn't getting tired. I zipped in behind him and slammed my foot into the back of his skull sending the doll boy into the side of wall, he crashed to the ground getting up looking dirty but otherwise unscathed. I took a few measured breaths quickly running each scenario I could in my mind while I waited to see what the android would do, of course without ki blasts, I was limited in what I could and could not do, after all, wouldn't be a good idea to give the damn machine more power. While I was doing all this I also checked on Ranma, he was also in his own desperate battle with Saffron, if Gohan and I hadn't been distracted by our rather annoying opponents, Ranma would of had an easy shot at the fountain, judging by Saffron maximum power, he was nowhere near even Frieza if I had a rating system, I'd say Ranma could probably take Nappa and three members of the Ginyu Force with his eyes closed right now.

19 came at me I flew back blocking each of his strikes, sometimes getting nicked in one form or another, until finally he overextended one attack I quickly upon around behind him and nailed at the base of the neck. His eyes bulged out for a second and with quick flip I brought both my feet under his chin and slammed into it hard, sending him flying into the ceiling crashing through it, he crashed back down further up in the building. He slow to get up so, I pressed my advantage and went Super Saiyan 2 mid-flight, adding considerable force to my next move, I grabbed both of his arms and ripped them completely out of his sockets, tossing them clear. I cupped my hands, "Say bye bye, birdie, KA," drawing my hands back a blue-white ball ki began to form. "MEHA," the light got brighter as I poured more energy into the ball. "ME-HHHAAA!" bringing my hands forward I nailed the Android point blank ranged with my father's favorite Ki blast, when the dust had settled the only thing left of 19 was his shoe.

After I powered down I took stock of everything Gohan was leaning against the wall, at his feet, a broken Android 20 namely Dr. Gero. It was here that both Gohan and I sense it, it's also the one time in my life I wished I had been faster at dealing with an opponent. The tortured scream was almost too difficult to bare, I was just hoping that Akane would wake up in a few moments. We ran up, saw the entire mountain had been leveled Saffron was now an infant, and Ranma was cradling a limp Akane in his arms. His face was buried in her shoulder and he was rocking her softly begging for her to wake up. At first almost thought she wasn't going to but, that was put on the back burner for a moment. Apparently the increase in gravity training, the fights with Toma and Saffron had brought Ranma to the brink, and sitting there with Akane in his arms, the damn gave way.

The skies overhead darkened golden lightning was streaking over the sky, and Ranma seemed to curl up around his fiancée. A moment later Ranma screamed to the heaven's tears streaming down his face as his body ignited in a monstrous golden aura, his hair shot straight up transforming into gold like the way all true Super Saiyan's do, the ground around Ranma exploded and shot in every direction. After this the light flickered and danced to what the pigtailed martial artist was feeling internally, moved not to an angry pitch, but a slow mournful wave. It was then I sense it.

After a few moments of unbearable silence and feminine hand reached up and caressed Ranma's cheek. "Baka," I heard Akane muttered. In the manga it was never clarified what Ranma said when Akane woke up in his arms, well I'm sure it wasn't what I saw. Instead of what happened originally, probably Ranma helping Akane up both being real awkward, Ranma getting planted with the mallet for looking at Akane's partially nude body. Instead Ranma did something that was more than a little out of character, he wrapped his arms around her and held her as tightly as he dared. If I didn't know any better I'd swear I heard sniffles coming from him.

It took some doing to get them to even stand up, but Ranma reluctantly did so, still holding Akane in his arms, like she was going disappear if he let go. The trip back to Nermia was a rather somber period for everyone involved, Ryoga got lost shortly after waking up, Mousse and Shampoo had witnessed Ranma's battle with Saffron, while Gohan and I were distracted by the two androids. And they watched Ranma's transformation with us, Mousse looked pale after witnessing it. "Okay, Mousse?" I asked.

"You and your brother do that golden transformation too?" he asked staring out at the ocean.

I nod once, "yes, it's part of heritage of our race. My father was the first to rediscover its secrets after three thousand years of evolution," I stated softly. "the transformation is not merely a change of hair and eye color," I smirked.

Mousse nodded, "I know, I could feel Saotome explode in power at that point, but since you said your race then Saotome must be part of that race, correct?"

"Yeah, found out about it yesterday, he's my cousin on my father's side. Something we going to explain to them a little more easily than this," I sighed slightly, "But it clearly shows who he truly loves Mousse, it wasn't Shampoo he was crying out in anguish for, matter of fact he left Shampoo to you to deal with."

Mousse nodded and seemed to go into a meditative state, I knew at one point during his fight with Shampoo, he had a chance to get what he dreamed of, Shampoo hopelessly in love with him, devoted to him, yet he did the truly noble, honorable, and right thing. It's this act among others that endears me to Mousse and why I believe he's actually too good for the purple haired bimbo. I walked over and sat down looking up at the sky. Things for Ranma were nearing its competition. That could only mean one thing, "Gohan, what were you and Videl doing yesterday after you guys left?"

Gohan blushed slightly, "Well she sort of wanted private flying lessons and well she kind of force me into the World Martial Arts tournament that's starting in two years, she wanted to be ready for it."

I groan mentally, that meant the Majin Buu crap would start soon, a part me was a little apprehensive of it too. The only people to survive against Buu was Satan and Dende, sure Goku was brought back but initially he was as dead as everyone else. "Great, glad you and she are getting along," I lied confidently hiding my feelings toward this. At any rate I was also wondering if the failed wedding that marked the end of the Ranma series would be a success this time. Looking at Ranma and Akane right now, I'd say that was a sure fire bet. Akane seated comfortably in Ranma's arms sleeping while Ranma holding her close sleeping. After all, the encounter with Saffron had happened differently I hope the wedding will happen differently as well, because if anyone need peace and love it's those two.