Title: New World New Rules

Ranma 1/2 belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, Shokuga, Viz video; any other characters mentioned in this fan-fiction belong to their respected owners real or otherwise.

Author Notes

I would like to thank George for checking spelling and grammar.

Sorry I am doing a time skip to five years later, when Karin and Sheba arrive at the Tendoh home. Ranma's time line is set just before Shampoo arrives in episode 15 of the anime.

"Talking"

"Shields talking / Panda sines"

Now we go on with the story.

Mid morning on earth in the country of Japan, a black four-door sedan pulls to a stop in front of an entry gate that is located in the Neriman district of Tokyo. The right side rear door opens letting out two young females. Sheba is dressed in leather body armor, with a large thick dark gray metal collar with an engraved cat's eye in the center of it. Karin is dressed in a red silk long sleeved shirt with gold trim and black silk pants, also with a large thick dark gray metal collar, with an engraved cat's eye in the center of it. Her snow-white hair is in long French-braid down to her ankles. Karin tells the driver to wait until they return. Receiving the confirmation from him, Karin heads back over to where Sheba is standing in front of a sign. Seeing the confused look on her friends face, Karin translates the sign that is to the right of the front gates. "Sheba, it reads, 'To challenge the owner of Tendoh Dojo in mortal combat please use the back entrance.'" With that cleared up they open the front gate and head up the gravel walk way leading up to a modest looking two story building. Ringing the doorbell Karin and Sheba wait for someone to answer it. It does not take long before the front door slides open revealing a young woman with long brown hair. The young woman is dressed in a dark blue long dress, a light blue medium-sleeved blouse with a white apron.

The young woman is surprised to see two foreigners in front of her. "Oh my" Quickly covering up her surprise she bows to them and introduces herself in flawless English. "Greetings, I am Kasumi Tendoh. How may I help you?" Kasumi rises up clasping her hand in front of her.

Karin and Sheba bow back then Karin introduces them. "I am Karin and my companion is Sheba Athion. I am sorry to bother you. Is Lady Hatsue Tendoh in?" Karin briefly witnesses the slight frown on Kasumi's face, before Kasumi can replace it with a serene smile.

Being polite Kasumi explains that Karin needs to speak with her father on this subject and that he will be back shortly. Karin scratching the back of her neck at the base of the French-braid asks. "Would it be ok if we wait until he returns?" Kasumi nods in agreement. She invites Karin and Sheba in for some tea until her father returns from patrolling the local establishments. Karin turns to Sheba "Would you pleases retrieve the package from the ambassadors sedan." Receiving a nod from Sheba, Karin accepts the offer from Kasumi. Sheba quickly returned to the sedan to retrieve the package that Bastet had sent with them. When Sheba returned with a small wooden chest with aged brass hardware, Karin enters and takes off her shoes. Sheba enters passing the chest to Karin while she takes off her shoes.

Kasumi escorts Karin and Sheba through the entrance hall to the dining room where a low dining table with six cushions sitting around it is located. To the right of the table, a sliding wall opens up to a recessed living room with a brown couch and an entertainment stand with a TV. To the left of the table is an open entryway leading to the back porch. Karin sits on the center cushion facing towards the back porch and Sheba takes the next cushion to the right of Karin while Kasumi leave to fetch the tea.

Once Kasumi left, Karin leans to her right and whispers to Sheba. "Did you see her reaction when I asked if Lady Tendoh was in?' Sheba nods her head. Karin leans back thinking on what might have caused that reaction. When Kasumi arrives carrying a large tray with a teakettle, three teacups, and a snack plate, Karin sits up straight. Before Karin or Sheba has the chance to offer their help, Kasumi sets the large tray on the table. Sitting on the opposite side of the table from Karin and Sheba, Kasumi places the snacks between her and her two guests before she prepares the tea. Karin and Sheba accept a cup from Kasumi. They take a sip of the exquisite tasting tea, savoring the taste before Karin begins in meaningless gossip.

It was not long before Karin and Sheba hear two men announce that they were home. Startled by her father Kasumi covers her mouth with her hand. "Oh My, Is it that time already." Rising up Kasumi gathers everything and puts it on the large tray. Picking up the tray Kasumi leaves the room. Karin and Sheba hear Kasumi talking to her father. "Greetings father, you have two guests that need to speak to you about mother. They are seated at the table." Two men enter the dinning room. The tall and skinny man with long black haired man sits at the head of the table, while the fat man with a white bandanna on his head sits down across from Sheba.

The tall man looks over the two young women seated at the table. "I am Soun Tendoh and this is my good friend Genma Saotome." Before Soun could continue, Sheba launches herself at Genma in an attempt to kill him before he can escape. Grabbing Sheba's arms and rolling back, with a kick to her stomach Genma launches her out into the back yard.

Flying through the air Sheba rotates her body so that she lands on her feet and hands. Using the kinetic energy from her landing Sheba springs forward on her hands and feet charging straight at Genma. Genma froze in fear as he recognizes the stance this strange woman landed in. Seeing that Genma might die before they can find out where Ranma is, Karin springs into action flipping over Genma and landing on Sheba pinning her to the ground with three bright white claws right to the side of Sheba's head. Karin growls at Sheba causing Sheba to stop struggling. Turning her head towards Genma, Karin's solid white eyes locked on to him. "Genma, you will not leave this house until I have my questions answered truthfully. If you run, I will let Sheba track you down. I need you alive but not necessarily with all body parts functioning." Genma stutters out an agreement with the young woman. Slowly he backs his way into one of the corners of the room. Then he sits down, nervously twitching every now an then.

Soun realizing that his friend has once again brought strife into his home turns to the two young women. Soun addresses the white haired young women. "Young lady, while I am sure that you can justify your friend's actions against my good friend Genma. Please tell me how this involves my dead wife." Karin and Sheba are shocked to hear of Lady Hatsue Tendoh's death.

Karin turns her head towards Soun, as her eyes fade back to normal. "I am truly sorry for my friend's actions." Karin releases Sheba and they return to the table while Sheba keeps a constant watch over Genma. "I am also sorry to hear about the death of your wife. I am Karin and this is Tiger Scout Sheba Athion." Karin pulls the small chest from across the table and opens it. Pulling out two envelopes and a folded piece of paper that looks like it had been crumpled before. Passing one of the envelopes to Soun, Karin continues, "That's the letter I was to give to Hatsue Tendoh. The other letter I am to hand over to Ranma Saotome. The old piece of paper is what Genma left when he took Ranma from Lady Bastet." Karin slides the old peace of paper over to Soun.

Soun looks at his wife's name on the front of the first letter. Slowly turning it over he sees, the letter sealed with a crimson wax stamped with ornamental insignia. Breaking the wax seal Soun opens the letter and begins to read to himself.

Dear Hatsue Tendoh

I hope this letter fined you in good health. I am sorry I have not written to you sooner. My country just opened diplomatic relations, which has provided this opportunity to communicate with you. Due to the complexity of this relationship, it has taken almost six years just so I can send ambassadors to you. The two young women that are presenting you this letter are my ambassadors. I know it has been over twelve year sense we last shared words. If you will give Karin a letter she will make sure it will find me. As you know from the introductions, Karin does not have a family name so please do not judge Karin as a Ronin. She lost everything in an accident, even her memory. All that is left of her past is her first name. Sheba Athion is one of my Royal guards whom I sent to protect Karin. I humbly ask that you help them in their quest to find my son as much as you can. I do not want them to become a strain on you so feel free to have them help around the house, but I suggest you keep Karin out of the kitchen as she has destroyed my kitchen on at least one occasion. I sent some presents for you Hatsue, Kasumi, and Nabiki. I hope you like them, for only Karin and I know how to replace them if something happens to them.

Your Good Friend,

Bastet Saotome

Placing the letter down on the table Soun picked up the old peace of paper reading the tear-streaked note aloud.

"You are too soft on my son Ranma. If I let hem stay with you, he will become weak so I will leave with him now."

Placing the tear-stained note on the table, Soun's anger at what Genma did overrides his tears over the first letter. He looks over where Genma is still sitting, "I hope you can explain this Saotome." With out getting any response from Genma, Soun addresses Karin and Sheba. "I will grant the wishes of the letter. You ladies may stay with us as long as you need. On one condition, there are no more attempts to kill Genma. Ranma will return later with my youngest daughter Akane."

Karin bows to Soun. "Thank you for your help Mr. Tendoh. I promise that we will not be a burden on you or your family more than room and board. I have been given an account with funds to help for the locating Ranma and Genma, sense that they are here I will use it to reimburse you for the cost of our stay. We will return later this evening, we need to gather our things from customs and pay our respects to the Emperor."