-AN-

Personally I think having a harem would probably be exhausting. Like, two max might be good, but more than that sounds like a heart attack. Ranma's got his work cut out for him.

-Story Start-

The house was quiet yet, tense, in this early afternoon. In the living room with the tv off was a bit of a standoff. Ranma and Usagi were sitting together on one side, while Ikuko and Kenji sat on the other. Neither side seemed to want to talk first, almost afriad to break the silence and start the war that they knew was coming. Ikuko considered herself the most level headed and got this apparently long overdue talk underway.

"Soooo. Besides dating my daughter, you apparently know about her nighttime activities as well?"

"Uh yes ma'am." Sitting stiffly Ranma still kept eye contact with the older woman, steadfastly ignoring Kenji's glare.

"Why didn't anyone feel the need to tell us? Youma, demons, evil Queens wanting to take over the world? This is all extrememly dangerous. What if something had happened to you and we didn't know? Would we have ever found out? Would we be stuck waiting for our daughter to return forever from some battle we never knew about?" Truly Ikuko just wanted her daughter to be safe and to at least know what was happening. Knowing now that she had saved the world at least on two separate occasions proved she was capable. But they still worried and were going to worry.

"Mama I-" Ever since Usa had come to the past Usagi herself had gotten a better perspective about what being a parent might be like. Ranma of course had done more of the heavy lifting on that front than her but she could understand a bit of why her mother was upset. "I was trying to do what was right. I didn't mean to lie to you. But everything started to happen so fast and I wanted to keep you all safe-"

"Safe!" Her father cut her off with a scoff. "We're your parents. It's supposed to be our job to keep you safe, not the other way around."

"Kenji!"

"Ikuko, even you must admit this is to much! Our daughter and this, this, ronin have been gallavanting through the nights doing who knows what and we're supposed to be okay with it now because it's all already happened?"

Usagi had to restrain herself from standing to yell at her father, "Ranma wasn't even there for most of it, he's only been involved since this summer."

"And that makes it better? Do you know the kind of history these Saotome's have?" Seeing Ranma cringe had Kenji nodding, "Yes I looked up your family. Very honorable characters, your father especially. And he raised you mostly? Apple doesn't fall far-"

"Kenji that's enough!" Ikuko was appalled her husband would go so far. She waited as he reigned himself in after a moment, left to stew in frustration.

Ranma however shook his head, "It's alright. I know my pops did a good job of dragging our name through the mud and my mom has had a hard time putting it all back together." Ranma finally locked eyes with the older man, "I'm not my father however. Don't plan to be either."

"Strong words from a boy."

Usagi couldn't stop herself this time, "Daddy stop it! Ranma has been nothing but the most honorable man I've never know. He's been joining us and helping out every free moment he's had. He's much more skilled than any of us and has he power to back it up as well." They had talked about it and even before he had claimed his magic he could probably take on all of the senshi one on one no problem. Possibly as a full team if he put in the effort. Now with magic? It'd be Usagi alone who could maybe defeat him.

That gave Ikuko a small opportunity, "Then Ranma. You could say then that you're capable of watching over and defending Usagi then? My main concern now, knowing I can't make my daughter stop such a noble goal, is to know that she's safe. Can you promise me that?"

Ranma agreed with no hesistation, "I would lay down my life for her. She'll come to no harm."

Ikuko smiled and shook her head, "I think it's best to live for her instead, I'm sure she would appreciate that more."

Kenji however was still gruff, "Ronin isn't good enough for my princess."

Ikuko sighs, "Kenji…"

"I'm technically a Queen."

"All the more reason you deserve someone of a higher standard."

Usagi herself was beginning to lose her own patience, "Ranma is of the highest standard father! Sure he's rough, but he's a business owner and a King. He looks out for his own and fights for what he believes in. Stop calling him a ronin." Ranma reached out with their link, exuding calm and patience that she herself didn't have in the moment. Her daddy was being such an ass about this!

Ranma decided to flex a bit as Usagi sat back down. Seeing was believing after all, red haze settling over him, wings fluttering lightly into existance over the couch, Ranma let his magic was over the room for a moment before letting it fade away, "I am the Phoenix King, ruler of the Phoenix people. If I say no harm will come to Usagi, no harm will come to her."

Leaving Kenji to blink owlishly, Ikuko eventually pats his hand softly to draw his attention. "You know they both mean well, and he's not a bad boy."

"But she's my baby."

"Do you really want a repeat of how my father treated you?"

"I….*sigh* no." Kenji finally relaxed back, emotionally spent.

Ikuko however smiled and turned back to the teens, "All we want if for you both to do your best. Protect each other and come home." Smiling the mother winks at Usagi, "You're still finishing high school. No babies until after that." Both teens nod nervously before Usagi's father come back into the conversation.

"You better not think of touching her at all. My baby won't be touching boys ever, ever I say."

Usagi however began to pull Ranma away, "Well uh…if that's it, maybe we should get a move on." Nervously chuckling, the girl knew she couldn't truthfully say anything back to her father.

Ikuko nodded, "Please come back sometime Ranma, bring your mother. We could all have a family meal together.

Ranma nodded quickly, "That sounds like a great idea miss Tsukino."

"Call me mother dear, something tells me you aren't going anywhere." Ikuko was all smiles now, which put Ranma more on edge than any glare Usagi's father could level his way.

Said father caught on to that, "Usagi? Sweety? Why are you nervous?" She was having a rather easy time of pulling Ranma towards the back door. Very comfortable touching him at that. Mentally, it clicked. "You baby snatching monster!" Kenji attempted to lunge for a now sprinting Ranma.

Picking up Usagi who was laughing and waving to her mother, Ranma called over his shoulder, "I'm sorry about this!"

"You'll be sorry when I cut your dick off!" Kenji never saw the flying frying pan but sure felt it when it connected with his head.

Ikuko just shook her head and waved at the teens escaping through the back door, "Be safe! Check in with us at least Usagi!" It was something to watch Ranma leap and land on the fence surrounding their backyard.

"Will do!" And then they were gone, leaving the Tsukino's to sit in their home and contemplate everything.

Kenji however pulled himself up and sat next to his wife, "I thought for sure I still had a few years before I had to worry about boys or marriage."

"Life has a way of being interesting at least."

"Not the word I would use." Kenji just leaned back into the couch.

Ikuko blushed and leaned into her husband, "Oh hush, remember what we were like?"

"I remember your father chasing me around the neighborhood with a sword every day for a month."

Giggling Ikuko nodded, "They'll be fine." Thinking about it, with Usagi gone and Shingo staying with friends, the house would be empty. "You know…"

"Hmmm?" His wife was suddenly straddling his hips, "Oh?"

"Children being gone could mean we have more alone time." Giggling Ikuko leaned in with a plan to remind her husband just who Usagi got her personality from.

Blocks away and landing on a mostly empty street the two teens on the run shared a laugh as Ranma put Usagi down. Usagi hugged onto the boy tightly as she pulled him along towards the park not far from the crown arcade.

"Well that went well!"

Ranma grumbled lightly, "I think your definition of well needs help."

Usagi leaned in, stealing a kiss before entwining her hand with his and pulling him along, "Daddy didn't kill you and mom likes you. That's a win. Now, we have the afternoon free. Let's have a date and meet up with the scouts for a meeting later." Pulling out her communicator from somewhere the girl set about making plans with Makoto.

Smiling despite himself the overpowered teen nodded and let the happy girl lead him along. At least the parent situation was settled, for now. Thankful that there were some clouds to provide shade though it wasn't too hot, he enjoyed the warm hand in his own. People watching as they made their way to the somewhat busy park, he eyed the stand they were steadily approaching within view of the artificial lake. He wasn't surprised that their first stop was for ice cream. "You have such a sweet tooth."

Usagi nodded as they came up to the tall uniformed man, just shy of Ranma's own full height, "Ice cream is probably close to my favorite."

"Oh, and what's your favorite?"

Quietly the girl leaned in with a devious look, "Some thing you make husband." Giggling she turned to the somewhat green looking boy with light purple eyes. Short dark almost purple hair with bangs framed a cherubic face that Ranma once again got the feeling was super familiar. Usagi however was happily ordering ice cream for herself.

Eventually smiling the boy handed over several scoops of multicolored sugar to the girl, "For such a cute couple, it's on the house."

"Aw thank you!" Giggling and pulling away, Ranma sighed as the guy almost didn't seem to want to make further eye contact. His magic was whispering something to him and he nearly reached out to check on this feeling. Usagi however distracted him by pushing the tall cone in front of his face. Having some for himself, he put it all out of his mind. This Wiseman business probably just had him on edge. Usagi however was still smiling as she enjoyed her treat, "Such a nice boy."

"Something tells me you're used to getting freebies."

"I've seen your memories, for shame using your curse like that."

"Urk." It wasn't his fault some guys got distracted by a flash or two. Or that his cursed form was hot. "Ice cream just tastes better as a girl is all."

Usagi leaned into him with a soft smile, "You could always change now, I wouldn't mind."

"Not worried about being lovey dovey with a busty red head?"

"Handsome chiseled man or athletic busty red head, you're still my husband." Usagi had told him already his form didn't matter, she loved him.

Ranma considered it. Maybe it was the curse that was acting up and throwing off his senses. It had been a while since he had spent any time as a woman and he knew even if he had better control of it now he still needed to spend time as a girl. Shrugging he considered his options. There was a bathroom up ahead, so he pointed it out. "I'll change form and clothes, be back in a second. Leaving the happy blonde, he went into the empty men's side and did as he said he would. Changing forms quickly and then donning a red and gold pantsuit that was styled much like Shampoo's. A gift from Cologne apparently, though now he was appreciating it. Shaking his pigtail free from the low cut top, he was back out before anyone decided to pay the bathroom a visit. Walking out with a smile he did savor the look of astonishment on his wife's face. Walking forward with all of the confidence he normally exuded, he didn't miss the blushes or gobsmacked looks from several passerby as well. Leaning forward he wiped away some ice cream from Usagi's cheek and licked it off his finger, "Don't get distracted 'Sagi. You're melting."

"Yes I am…." Allowing Ranma to curl a hand into hers they returned to their walk around the lake. It took a minute for her to get out of her dirty thoughts and back to her ice cream, but she made it there. Eventually. It was odd to be at nearly eye level with the red head, Ranma only being slightly taller than her now instead of nearly a head taller than her. They finished their shared treat efficiently after that and Usagi leaned into the redhead as they enjoyed the afternoon out.

Usagi was paying a lot of attention to the families that were out, the children especially. As they walked on a pathway that had the lake on one side but an open field area on the other, she slowed a bit to watch the children playing there at the nearby playground. Ranma could tell something was bothering Usagi however and voiced his concern, "You okay there 'Sagi?"

"I just…" Usagi turns to Ranma, "Do you think I'll be a good mother? I know I can be a klutz and I space out sometimes. I want to be good for our kids in the future. I want to be able to do my best for them, for you."

Ranma smirked, hoping to diffuse her turmoil, "Well you're pretty much a kid anyway, and relating to them is the first hurdle."

"Hey!" Chuckling and hitting him on the arm, she allowed his arm to snake around her waist and pull her into his side.

"You'll be just fine 'Sagi. Besides, it isn't just you, I'll be there too. All your friends, my friends, our families. Never mind your new sisters."

"That's if Shampoo doesn't decide to have all the babies herself."

"I don't know if my heart could take that." They both shared a laugh before settling back into their quiet moment together. Ranma did allow his magic to diffuse a bit throughout the area. A few blips that he had hoped were just the curse acting up, but apparently not. Counting, he got up to half a dozen before calling it quits. Just like his date with Shampoo they didn't seem hostile so he would let it go. They just seemed to have a familiar sense to them was all. He could however feel the scouts making their way into the park and nudged Usagi from her people watching, "Scouts are coming."

"Oh yay, c'mon, let's get a spot under a tree." Racing forward, Usagi was on her communicator disguised now as a phone to tell Makoto and the others where they were. Ranma just smiled and followed along, eventually sitting against the tree Usagi picked out while the girl jumped and waved as their friends eventually showed up.

Makoto and Ami actually have large blankets and begin to set up a picnic spot while Minako holds Makoto's large basket. The outers seemed content to watch though Setsuna was holding a basket of her own and was smiling towards Ranma. Haruka couldn't pry her eyes away from the valley of Ranma's chest and received a head slap from Michiru for her trouble while Hotaru berated her papa.

Once everyone was situated, Usagi between Ranma and Minako, Usagi pointed towards Ami while Makoto started offering food in the form of sandwiches to everyone. "Ami, wanna explain what we've been cooking up?" All eyes turned to the suddenly excited girl.

"Yes. Well, we decided that with the recent potential threat of this Wiseman, it might be best to have backup plans. So we've started reviving one of our worlds. Venus to be exact." She begins to outline everything she had done since given the order earlier this morning. From the growth of the magical biosphere to the very real terraforming processes being pushed along by their remaining ships, if was only an attentive Setsuna who nodded along and seemed to know what she was talking about. Ami eventually paused as all the rest of the girls were smiling, but she could tell they had no clue what most of it meant. Right. Keep it simple. "Short answer, we may be able to evacuate people to Venus in a worst case scenario. Though Mina might need to visit the planet once or twice to help the process along."

"Well that sounds exciting, I'll have a whole planet of my own then?" Okay so she didn't have a weapon or talisman like the outers, or a ship like Ami or Usagi, but she would soon have a planet to care for.

Ami nodded, "Yes. Ranma also wanted to join in, possibly attempt to see if the Phoenix could migrate there in the future."

Minako nodded quickly, "I like the sound of that. I'm sure it'll take us a few days to experiment and figure out how our magic, entwines, but we can make it happen." The lecherous look growing on her face had Ranma shaking his own head.

Usagi however just pouted, "100 years."

Minako huffed herself, "Oh hush, you've gotten your share of cookies, spread the love. Besides we'll be on Venus, your mandate is no good there."

"I'm your Queen!"

"My planet, my rules!"

"Then I'm coming too!"

"Never said that would stop me."

Rei choked on the juice Makoto had passed to her while Michiru patted her back to help her clear her airway. Haruka wasn't helping as she was laughing up a storm, "Welcome to the team Minako!"

Michiru just sighed, "Must you?"

"Yes. Yes I must."

Setsuna clears her throat to hopefully stave off the brawl that was about to break out between Minako and Usagi. "So about the patrols for this week?"

Usagi gave Minako a death glare before turning back to everyone else, missing Minako make faces at her behind her back, "Yeah. So I think with this latest threat eveyone should at least be in groups of three so we can still cover good ground. I was thinking the outers are safe as they are, since Setsuna will be at the time gates right?"

Setsuna nods, "Correct."

"Yeah, so that leaves Ami, Minako, and Makoto as one team, and Rei, myself, and Ranma as the other."

"And who says you get the stud muffin?"

"My mandate matters here!"

Ranma rolls his eyes and provides a compromise, "It would be good to learn how to work with the others. I can rotate between the teams, mixing up the members. Plus, it'll be good training for all of you as well."

Michiru thought about that one, "That would be a good compromise." Her hand began itching as Haruka began muttering about Ranma as a woman in a fuku.

Hotaru nodded as well, "I wouldn't mind mingling magic with Ranma again. I want to see an expect handle my weapon properly."

Haruka paused as she thought hard about that. On the one hand, the innuendo was so easy. But this was their adoptive daughter. Tease or threaten? Ultimately she decided teasing was the better option, Hotaru was to innocent to know anything else, "Ya kno-"

MIchiru stepped in right away, feeling vengeful, "You know Hotaru, you and Usagi are the only ones to get a chance to mingle magic with him so far." None of them knew about the fire incident between Rei and Ranma. Rei herself was determined to keep it that way. "I wouldn't mind Ranma giving my magic a shot." Beside her Haruka was having a hard time keeping her jaw off the ground.

"Uh. Well what does your magic revolve around?"

"Water and divination."

Ranma considered that before nodding, "That could be fun. Sure, next time we patrol together I'll give it a shot. Oh, there might be a day I can't patrol with everyone though, I'll be in Nerima."

Setsuna looked up from her mug that everyone was sure wasn't there a moment ago, "I'll pitch in that day, no worries." From there conversations break off into the more mundane. Makoto and Ranma talk about both martial arts and cooking, while Haruka tries to interject into the conversation to convince Ranma to go girl mode for the next few days. Rei is berating Usagi for not returning a manga while Ami is both updating Minako about the actual planet of Venus and taking regular sips of coffee from a thermos.

Ranma however is slightly distracted as across the lake he could see the boy from earlier meeting up with what looked like the twins from his and Shampoo's date. Huh. Maybe they were friends?

Hotaru bumped into him and derailed his thinking again, "I have a question."

Ranma ruffled her hair, "Sure thing squirt, what's up?"

"So obviously you can connect to us through magic alone, but using our powers requires some type of medium correct?" Ranma nods slowly. "Do you think it could go the other way around? Do you have a weapon that's magically bonded to you?"

Ranma stopped himself from saying no right away, thinking instead of the Kinjakan. Fiddling around with his magic a bit, he nodded after a moment as everyone else tuned into their conversation after seeing his hesitation. "Yeah actually, I have the Kinjakan and the Gekkaja. One allows me control over fire while the other gives me the ability to freeze things. So I suppose we could try it out sometime."

Hotaru giggles and claps her hand, "That would be amazing."

Usagi felt her mandate spiel tingling but didn't voice it. This was Hotaru. She was safe right? Through their link Usagi brushes against Ranma's mind and receives warmth and love in return. Happy and reassured, the blonde get's back to arguing with Rei. Her friends and her love all in one place? This was a perfect weekend to her.

-b-

That evening found Usagi, Rei, and Ranma bouncing along the rooftops of the Tokyo area. Back to being a male for now, Ranma was in the lead as he allowed his senses to guide them. So far nothing had sprung out to them to worry about but they were going to keep at it. Dropping to a rooftop with multiple air conditioning units, Ranma froze as his senses yelled at him that Wiseman was nearby. One second there, the next not. A camouflage technique maybe? Motioning the girls to stay where they were, Ranma walks to the edge of the rooftop and confirms that Wiseman is on a roof lower than them and thus can't see Usagi or Rei at the moment. Perfect. Walking backwards and pretending to need the run up, he whispers to the girls.

"Wiseman is here. Stay back for now, I'm going to go talk to him."

"What if you need backup?"

"You'll know if I need backup." And then he was gone, leaving Usagi and Rei to look at each other and then hide among the rooftop equipment.

Ranma himself floated through the air, a light application of his magic making it a tad softer landing. He was frowning already though as his senses were telling him something different this time around. Sure something was still very, wrong, about this being. But if didn't reek so much of anti life this time. And whatever is was connected to was still close, odd.

Wiseman bows to Ranma, "Good evening my Lord. I'm happy to see you alone tonight."

Ranma shrugged, "I'm good enough to patrol the city and take out any youma or demons I find. So what's this about? I didn't expect to see you so soon?"

"I wanted to give another warning of course, about the senshi you court with."

"Oh? Do you have specifics this time?"

Wiseman nods, again removing and placing a picture face down on the ground between them before backing away. "The outers especially are not to be trusted. The senshi of Mars, she and the Queen are to be confided in. They can be trusted."

"Any reason why?" Ranma used a toe to kick up the crystalline picture into his hand, the face of a smiling dark haired girl with purple eyes stared at him. From the red streaks he recognized this one, apparently his and Rei's future child. She was hugging Usa tightly to her cheek, both girls looked roughly the same age. "Another of my children?"

"Yes, and in danger." Here Wiseman bowed deeply, "I believe the outer senshi have a different long term agenda from the inner senshi."

"Well I'll keep that in mind then. Anything else?"

"Only to watch out for a jealous lover. I shall reach out to you again soon." And with that Wiseman faded away. Ranma reached out as well, confirming that indeed the being was gone before returning to the rooftop that held Usagi and Rei. Both girls coming out with questioning looks, Ranma held out the picture.

"Another picture, another warning. Though it was slightly different this time and came with a new picture." He handed it over to Rei first who angled it so Usagi could see it. "Apparently they want us to be wary of the outer senshi."

Rei was transfixed on the picture while Usagi was puzzled, "It was weird, I couldn't sense Wiseman at all this time. Not even a weird sense of needing to do something.

Rei however spoke up, eyes never leaving the picture. "I felt. Something. I couldn't describe it but it was as if everything I ever wanted was on that rooftop." She looked up at the pair with her, "That's probably dangerous, isn't it?"

Ranma nodded, "I'd say so. We'll have to talk to Setsuna, maybe she has a better idea."

"Michiru too." Rei thought about her fire readings and Michiru's divination, "She might be of some help as well."

Ranma nodded and turned to the roof's edge, "Well not much to do from here. I can't feel the guy anywhere close to hear. Should we continue?"

Usagi placed a hand on Rei's shoulder, "You okay?"

"I don't know. Maybe?" Rei looked at the picture again at the smiling girl who looked so happy with her friend, before stashing the picture away, "If this really is a threat to all of our eventual children, I'm going to shove my hand down Wiseman's throat and turn them inside out."

Ranma nodded, "You and me both."

Rei finally came out of her thoughts for a moment, "You can get the other end, we can do it at the same time."

Usagi caught on, "Oh gross!"

"But painful." Laughing and joking for a minute the trio continued their patrol. Though Ranma was sure that he was missing something again. Eventually he snapped his fingers as they were mid flight between buildings, "Hey Rei."

"Hmm?"

"You seem, I don't know, pretty laid back about the idea of having a kid with me." Sure they had promised never to say a word about what they saw in her sacred fire but this was from Wiseman.

Rei thought about it before shrugging, "Well, Usagi swears by you and you have shown yourself to be a good man. I don't know." Rei gained a smirk, "Maybe a child by you in the future isn't so far fetched."

Usagi pouted, "Rei! Just cause I borrow your manga doesn't mean you can borrow my husband."

"But what if I let you borrow the really steamy stuff? Could give you some ideas."

Usagi really seemed to think about that one while Ranma balked and nearly missed the next rooftop, "Am I really being bartered off for manga?"

Rei was still smirking as she turned back to the man, "Are you really complaining about getting a night with another beautiful woman?"

Ranma opened his mouth. Ranma thought about the situation for a moment. Ranma closed his mouth. No, no he was not complaining. "Huh. Things really do change."

Rei leaned into him as they sailed over to the next rooftop, "Be a good boy and that vision we saw of me and Usagi might just come true." Giggling and breaking away, Usagi chased after her in mock frustration. Ranma was a half step behind them, having to adjust him pants as they went. It was going to be a long night.

A few hours later Ranma and Usagi were dropping Rei off and headed home themselves. Ranma convincing Usagi that he would be dropping her off at her own house this time. No amount of pouting was going to change that. With a final toe curling kiss in her backyard the left the girl flustered and blushing, Ranma smirked and hopped away, promising to come swing by tomorrow. Frustration flowed down their link, but Ranma sent back his own joy and laughed. Sure he enjoyed actually sleeping with his girls but Usagi had actual loving parents to worry about. She knew that too as eventually with a loving caress she cut their link.

Within a few minutes Ranma himself was back home, easing in through the back door and taking off his shoes to make his way inside. The house was quiet this close to midnight, and as he put his shoes in the entryway that didn't change. It was another few moments as he walked up the stairs and first made sure Usa was safely asleep. Cracking open her door and confirming that indeed she was asleep and comfortable in bed, he closed her door and made his way to his own room. Opening and closing the door with a sigh he was met with an interesting view. Shampoo and Akane were sharing the bed, each in sleepwear and nothing but the moonlight cascading over them there was a space in the middle between them Ranma judged they had both tossed and turned a bit. Both were still asleep thankfully, which as Ranma himself changed and got ready for bed, he slipped in between them. Doing his best not to wake them, Shampoo eventually latched onto his right with a content smile while Akane did the same to his left. Relaxing, Ranma decided that this was good. He could absolutely get used to this. Allowing sleep to slowly claim him, he made a note to plan things are more regularly. Maybe tomorrow could be a date day for Akane instead? Sleep came within moments.

-AN-

Huh huuuuh. Wiseman can only hide from one senshi at a time? That's concerning. But with everyone now updated and on track to prepare themselves, let's see just how they handle the future.