XI-R

"OK, maybe trying to use the Nanban mirror again wasn't a good idea," Ranma admitted as he climbed out of the smoldering crater in the Tendos' back yard.

"No, really?" Nabiki asked dryly as she sipped her coffee.

"It should have worked," Genma complained as he climbed out of the hole carrying their backpacks.

"Should've, could've, didn't," Nabiki replied, amused.

A groan from the crater drew everyone's attention.

"Pops, it was only you and me traveling, right?"

"Yeah, and?" Genma asked.

"So who's the guy in the crater?" Ranma asked, pulling out an obvious foreigner dressed just like Ranma, but in somewhat worse condition.

*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*

Xander awoke with a groan, feeling like he'd been stepped on by Godzilla.

"Shhh, it's okay," Kasumi told him, stroking his head. "You're safe. Rest for now."

The stranger mumbled something and quieted down.

Satisfied that he was ok, Kasumi finished checking on him and left the room quietly, shutting the door behind her.

"So, what's the verdict? He say anything?" Nabiki asked curiously.

"No, and you're not to interfere in his rest," Kasumi said firmly.

Nabiki quickly backed down, knowing that Kasumi was serious. "That's why I'm out here asking, and not in there," she defended herself.

"Ah, just a bit of groaning. He won't be up for any sort of communicating until tomorrow at the earliest," Kasumi said.

"I'll let everyone know so they don't try to see for themselves," Nabiki promised.

"Thank you, Nabiki. I'll get tea and cookies for everyone."

"No problem, sis," Nabiki said and was utterly unsurprised to find the living room a chaotic mess of arguing.

"I don't know the guy!" Ranma exclaimed.

"He dresses like you and even looks a little like you," Ukyo pointed out.

"Mixed race for sure," Akane pointed out. "Are you positive Genma didn't stray?" Akane asked pointedly.

"Ranma have brother?" Shampoo asked curiously.

"A half-brother, maybe," Cologne added.

"I look more like Ranma than he does," Ryoga pointed out.

There was a pause as everyone compared the two.

"You have a very good point there," Nabiki said, suspiciously eying Genma who immediately splashed himself with cold tea, turning into a panda, and started playing with a beach ball.

Ryoga and Ranma paled.

"We don't know for sure," Ranma quickly said, trying to comfort Ryoga.

Ryoga snarled, "I suppose next you'll claim it's possible to live a full and normal life with Genma Saotome as your father!"

"No, I can't lie to you like that," Ranma said solemnly, before they both burst into tears, clutching each other.

*Ungrateful boys.* read the panda sign that Genma used to club the two unconscious.

"Ooh ho! So they're both your sons!" Nabiki exclaimed.

Cologne drank her tea and watched the latest episode of her favorite drama with interest. This was better than anything that aired on TV.

Typing by: Ordieth!