Authors note: Before I actually get started thank you to who has offered to preread this for me. Thank you again for all the kind encouragement, and helpful criticisms on the first chp. Of my as of yet untitled ritsuko/ranma challenge fic, any ideas drop me a line at garyfed@cs.com. _______________________ Aunts and Uncles chp: 1 As to the disclaimer, well I own not one damn character in this (yet). 10:30am Nerima, Tokyo ******************** Kasumi Tendo sat alone at the family dining table sipping her tea. She looked at the wall clock for the seventh time in the past half-hour, and sighed. Her father, and uncle Saotome had gone on a training trip with grandfather Happosai; Akane received permission from Furinkan high to spend the week with Nabiki on the Tokyo University campus. And with Ranma living with his mother in Juban, there really wasn’t much housework to be done. She sighed again forcing herself not to look at the clock, instead her mind wondered back to Ranma she had missed him last time she visited auntie Saotome, he had been away at a martial arts tournament. But his mother had been happy to talk about his recent academic achievements, the success he was having in various tournaments, and his friends who not surprisingly were mostly girls. Well today was Saturday and that meant only a half-day of school. With that last thought she made her way to the hall phone and dialed the Saotome number. By eleven-thirty the house was locked and she was on her way to catch the eleven-forty-five train to Juban. Elsewhere! Michuru kicked the front door closed, and made her way to the kitchen and put the groceries on the counter. Humming to herself as she put things away, her thoughts were on lunch and her adopted daughter Hotaru, who would be coming home any minute from her fist day of high school with the other scouts. Haruka and herself were both proud and relieved when Hotaru told them she had done so well on her exams she was allowed to attend high school an entire year early. And Usagi’s neighbors Ranma supprised apparently even his own mother with the way they had taken to each other. Haruka was even a little suspicious of the older boy, until one day she mentioned her feelings to Usagi and the rest of the scouts. Sailor Uranus wasn’t the kind of person who tolerated being laughed at by most people and she was about explain that to the inner senshi the hard way when she noticed Pluto trying to hold back her own laughter, she wisely never brought up the subject again. She had just finished putting the last of the groceries away and was thinking of taking Hotaru out for lunch to celebrate her first day of high school when she turned around and came face to face with Setsuna and another woman who had scarlett red hair, maybe an inch or so shorter than herself and probably about the same age. “Setsuna please, I’ve asked you not to do that to me anymore.” Michuru gasped as she caught her breath and then it struck her. “Setsuna,” she indicated towards Nene “You’re being rude, you haven’t introduced your friend.” Nene noticed the last half was more of a question than anything else, but took no offense from it merely putting out her hand towards Michuru. “Hi, I’m Nene Rominova, Hotaru’s older sister.” She wasn’t quite prepared for the aqua haired girl to faint into her arms. After Setsuna and Nene laid Michuru on the sofa, they returned to the kitchen where Setsuna sipped at some tea, while Nene had opened a can of Diet Coke. “Setsuna, what about the rest of the family?” “Well, your sister lives in downtown Tokyo and her name is Lynn Suzaku.” She paused as Michuru cleared her throat at the doorway of the kitchen. Nene turned and stood facing Michuru. “Please forgive me for introducing myself so badly, perhaps Setsuna could do a better job.” Michuru’s gaze fell onto Setsuna. “Michuru, may I introduce you to Nene, Second Princess of the Royal House of Saturn.” Setsuna spoke even more stiffly and formally than she usually did. 7 a.m. Meji era ************ Kenshin stepped carefully up to the small shrine by the riverbank. Doing a slow turn around to scan for potential enemies, his eyes came back to the shrine. He was startled enough to leap back fifteen feet, which was about five feet too far. Glancing down to confirm that he was now in the water up to his knees. Looking back towards the shrine, yes, there was a woman standing besides it. She looked about twenty- four, tall, with long forest green hair. She was also dressed in a black kimono. “Kenshin, it’s time that you come with me and fulfill a destiny that was cut short.” Kenshin stepped onto the riverbank while keeping a cautious eye out for any type of ambush, thinking back to all the strong fighters cut down, just because they were paying to much attention to a pretty face. As he approached, Pluto could feel his aura emanating from even the very air surrounding him, (he seems even more powerful in person.) She stood thinking and watching him glide effortlessly into a possition with his back to the still rising sun. “I’ll have to ask what destiny your refering to, that I will.” She knew his at ease posture and calm and casual tone of speaking was a ruse, he could strike with lighting speed and god-like speed. Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout from behind her,(Damn.) “Yo Kenshin, Karaou sent me for you.” Yahiko a boy around thirteen or so, with a mop dark out of control hair was the one shouting towards them. End of Chapter 1.