Aunts and Uncles: Chapter 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --12:20 PM Juban ward Tokyo.-- The whole walk home from school Usagi kept giving Ranma curios sidelong glances. Seemingly caught up in his own little world, these were glances he was quite unaware of. As she watched him she even became a bit worried, he was barely giving Hotaru any acknowledgment at all. Ordinarily this in it’s self wouldn’t rouse her curiosity. She had seen him act rude, arrogant, indifferent, angry, and exasperated with her and all her friends at one time or another. But this time it was Hotaru, his best friend in all of Juban ward practically his little sister. And they all knew how excited the both of them were about her first day of high school. Something was wrong, she just hoped it wasn’t some new evil trying to gain control of him. It was about a block from their houses when she decided to give him a little test. Motioning the other girls to play along. “Ranma?” She spoke in as casual a tone that she could manage. “Hmm….” Was just about the response she had expected. “Ranma, I’m pregnant.” “Huh, you don’t say.” His response was enough for Ami to put her computer into overdrive. Ami quickly poked Mokoto in the small of her back and whispered ‘say something to him.’ Rubbing at the small of her back Mokoto just gave the girl a cross look. “Say Ranma, Ami and Minako want to have a threesome with you.” She shot a smug grin towards Ami. “So whatcha say.” “Yea sure, let me know when.” Ami he face beet red tried desperately to keep her mind on working with her computer. Poor Minako’s jaw worked, but her vocal cords seemed to be taking a nap. Soon enough they reached his house, and he started up the walkway. At the doorway he turn and gave an absent minded wave, and disappeared into the house. The girls just watched as Ranma closed the door behind him. As one they turned towards Ami, who was still going over her computer scan of Ranma. As the rest realized no immediate answers were coming. They started talking amongst themselves. “Usagi you don’t think anything’s wrong with him, do you.” Hotaru’s voice started getting that upset husky quality to it. “I wouldn’t get to worked up just yet,” Usagi’s voice was gentle, and reassuring. “Besides after all the stories we heard about him, I just don’t think there’s much that he can’t handle.” Rei piped in. “Why hello girls.” They turned to see Ranma’s mother had quietly walked up behind them. “Hello auntie.” The girls chorused. Nodoka had long insisted that Ranma’s friends call her auntie. She really did care for these girls, when Ranma came home to her he had been very lonely. Starting a new school, a new life. It helped so much when Usagi took her son in hand and introduced him to her friends and all the neighbors especially Hotaru. “Oh my,” Nodoka let out a soft exclamation, “Usagi dear you haven’t been home yet, have you.” “Well no auntie, why do you ask.” “Now dear I don’t want you to get to upset but your grandfather had a little accident.” “Oh no, is grandpa going to be alright.” The girl’s face became pale and tears glistened in her eyes, as the rest of her friends gathered around her. Nodoka gently put her arm over the girl’s shoulder. “Now, now of course he’ll be fine,” she caught Makoto’s eye and held out the grocery bag she was holding in other arm, “Makoto dear would you please put these on the kitchen counter for me?” “Of course auntie.” Taking the bag she ran into the house. Going through the living room she saw Ranma watching the t.v. “Hi Ranma.” “Hey Makoto” she heard him say as she quickly walked past. Once she put down the bag, she took a quick look inside and took out the two containers of ice cream and put them into the refrigerator. As she was doing this she kept hearing the tv in the other room playing. As she walked out she deliberately looked at what he was watching, as soon as she realized it was a sappy love story she glanced at Ranma. It was almost too much for her to take; he was getting into it. She had to get out of there and tell this to Ami, maybe she could make heads or tails out of Ranma’s strange behavior. Outside Makoto met Nodoka walking up the steps. “Auntie Saotome I put that ice cream away for you.” “Thank you dear, now hurry along and I’ll see you around 6:30.” Nodoka said as she turned and walked into the house. Makoto a little puzzled walked up to her waiting friends. “Hey guys, whats at 6:30 tonight?” she asked as the group moved down the road. “Well, Usagi is going to stay at Ranma’s for a few days and auntie asked if we would like to stay over tonight.” Rei answered. “Ya, you know to cheer Usagi up and all.” Minako was going to add a snazzy American saying but decided against it, for some reason her friends never seemed to get them. “Also, maybe we could get some more information on what’s wrong with Ranma.” Ami had looked up from her computer, which at the moment was displaying some sort of bar graph. “That reminds me, you guys are never going to believe what I just saw him watching.” Makoto had her hand on her forehead in lingering disbelief. “Well what was it.” Rei urged. “Casablanca.” “That movie is just so romantic.” Minako all but cooed. “I hope maybe he’s just sick or something” Hotaru said with worry on her face. “This is getting more curious by the moment.” Ami muttered as she went back to her computer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --12:20 Downtown Tokyo-- Michuru glanced over at her companion, and again wondered about these new twists on the path to Crystal Tokyo. It had been her limited understanding that there were going to be no new awakenings, at least until after the restoration of the throne. “Nene, do you mind if I ask you about the moon kingdoms.” The aqua-haired girl asked suddenly. “I don’t see why not.” Nene answered cheerfully while brushing a stray lock of red hair from her eyes. “Although, Setsuna asked me not to spill the beans on something’s, but I guess I’ll tell you what I can.” “Fair enough for me.” “Well where should I begin.” “How about your family.” “Well my eldest brother; crown prince Pontinius Saturnus, princess Serenity’s father was one of the greatest battle magi in the entire solar system.” Michuru was stunned for a few seconds before she could form the words for the question that immediately popped into her mind. “Wait a sec, that means you and Hotaru are related to Usagi.” She finally managed to blurt out. “I guess that it does make us her aunts at that.” The red haired girl replied. “Sorry I interrupted you, that’s just going to take some time getting used to.” “No problem, I guess that was a bit of a shocker.” “You have no idea, but please continue.” “Right well I guess just about four years after the princess was born, Pontinius was assassinated while on a state visit to Jupiter.” Nene stopped and was quiet for a few moments before she could continue, “well some Jovian thunder cultists had thought Jupiter had been slighted by Serenity marrying a prince of Saturn, and they even had the Queens next husband all picked out. Nene just shook her head, “it never occurred to the cultists, or the second son of Arjun [king of Jupiter] that they would ever be caught.” A ghost of a smile danced across Nene’s face. “They were wrong, and my remaining brothers showed the rest of the system just how wrong they were. As Nene finished that statement Michuru fought off a shudder and looked up. “Hey look, we’re here.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --12:20 PM Juban station.-- Kasumi stepped out of the station and into the bright afternoon sun. She looked back towards the station and noticed two foreigners who had been sitting near her on the train. It seemed to her that the two argued quietly on and off the entire trip in a language that reminded her of Latin. As she stood at the corner waiting for the light to change she took a closer look at them. They were an odd pair one tall maybe even six and half feet tall and extremely muscular, with very pale blond hair that was cut in a severe military style and blue eyes that were as intense as anyone of the many ki blasts she had seen fired. His companion was perhaps his polar opposite much shorter, with very dark eyes and shoulder length black hair, that was graying near the temples several longer thin braids were draped over both shoulders. Both of them were dressed in fairly expensive clothes, although the larger of the pair seemed rumpled and not at all comfortable in them. As she watched the pair it seemed as if a sharp cool breeze forced her to close her eyes for a brief moment. When she reopened her eyes, she saw that the brightness of the day had dimmed. And a fog made everyone around her into shadowy wraithlike figures. She turned her gaze back to the oddly matched foreigners, and was quite startled that she could see them very clearly. She also noticed they seemed to be walking straight towards her, she fought down the initial panic when she noticed that somehow superimposed over their bodies were the forms of wolves standing on their hind legs. They were huge, one well over eight feet and the other around seven and a half. She knew any sane person would have left along time a go, but some thing compelled her to stay. As they drew closer the wolf images became more and more solid until they stood directly before her. Both wolves sank to one knee, for which Kasumi was very grateful seeing as now she would be able to look directly into their faces. Now that they were so close she saw the larger of the two was a deep gray with white under the chin, neck and chest. Crisscrossing the wolf’s arms and chest were great scars, on his neck was the scar of some immense bite as if something tried to rip it’s head of by using it’s jaws. The horrible scars were briefly forgotten when she looked into his eyes; they were deep filled with hate, fear, grief, very little pity, and even less remorse. Silently she put forth her hand and caressed the cheek of the beast, almost, as a mother would comfort her hurt child. She dreamily turned her gaze over to the shorter one who was a solid black broken only by flicks of silver/gray. His eyes told the other side of the same coin as his friends, in them she saw the fear, but also great compassion, understanding, and sadness so deep that only one of great nobility and devotion to duty could withstand it. Somewhere deep inside of Kasumi something began to stir and fill up her soul and than she suddenly the words were there, she knew almost instinctively what she needed to say. “Child of Gaia, Get of Fenris,” her voice was calm, and soothing she spoke as if to children. “When you are ready, come and speak with me and I will ease your pain. It saddens the goddess that her faithful warriors suffer as they do.” The smaller of the two reached behind him and drew forth an ornate staff that was as long as Kasumi was tall. “Holy priestess of Gaia, your staff that was given to my bloodline to protect, many of my ancestors fell protecting it in battle. The honor I gain in presenting you with it out shines theirs a thousand times.” “Loyal child, know that all of your past bloodline share your honor today it was their spirits that soothed you when despair gripped your heart, and also their last breaths that lifted you up to meet today, and many tomorrows.” “Holy priestess our time is short,” the gray wolf spoke for the first time, his accent heavily German. “We… all Garou fear for your safety take this to defend your self.” She looked down and saw a foot long broad bladed silver dagger and an ornate leather sheath. “It shall be as you request, great warrior of fenris.” “Beloved of Gaia know that a garou will always be near, you need only call his name.” The short one finished and bowed his head. Kasumi was slightly shocked when she realized she already knew the name of every garou alive or dead. Placing her hands on their heads, in benediction. “I give you my love, and thanks now go with the blessings of Gaia.” As she spoke those words the fog began to darken into the blackness of unconsciousness. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --10:30AM Meiji era Tokyo.-- Setsuna sat at the dinning table in the Kamiya home massaging her temples and trying to get the muscle spasm in her left cheek under control. The four that were arguing Karou, Megumi, Yahiko, and Sanosuke were all arguing the same point. Kenshin wasn’t going anywhere without them, any argument she put forward was ignored, slapped down, or shrugged off as unimportant. She had watched this group on and off for years, so she had an idea of what to expect. But with the time gate in such a chaotic flux she just couldn’t pin kenshin down when he would be alone long enough for her to convince him to come with her alone. So she did something she hadn’t done in 25,000 years, she gambled. She also lost. She was also so mad she could spit nails, and if that kid said ‘hey lady’ one more time she would spank him so he couldn’t sit for a decade. All right time to take another risk, this has already taken up more time than necessary. “ENOUGH” Setsuna brought her open palm down onto the table as hard as she could. The room suddenly became as quiet as a tomb and four sets of eyes were locked onto her. Kenshin remained calmly sipping his tea she noted. “Please excuse me, but the fact remains I need Kenshins help and if that means dragging all of you along, so be it.” It was Yahiko who spoke up first. “Wow I didn’t think you’d give up so quickly.” The smile she gave them chilled them to the bone. “I haven’t, but at least this way I can keep an eye on you four.” She looked over at Kenshin. “Any objections Kenshin.” “No, there are none from me, that there aren’t” Setsuna stood and transformed into sailor Pluto. “Very well, make what ever arrangements you need. You have until nine tomorrow morning.” And than she simply vanished. “Oro” “….. Oww” “Yahiko close your mouth.” “… Ow, why’d ya pinch me for Megumi.” “Because you were drooling, and it’s disgusting.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --12:30PM downtown Tokyo.-- Lynn Suzuki had just turned off her computer, and started thinking about some lunch when the doorbell rang. Walking over to the door, she spared a glance to the corner of the room. Ga-san was there, still in its stand. When she answered the door she saw an aqua-haired young lady, and a slightly shorter red head. “Good afternoon, may I help you.” She spoke in her polite western Kyoto accent. “Yes, you wouldn’t happen to be Lynn Suzuki.” The aqua haired one asked. The red head however gave Lynn the impression that she was recognized, as if from a photograph. Lynn hesitated before answering. “Yes, that is my name.” “Please let me introduce myself, I’m Michuru Kai’ou and my friend is…” “Nene Romanova” Nene supplied, as both women bowed politely. “I believe we have some information concerning some long lost relatives of yours.” “Really, please do come in.” Lynn stepped from the doorway and showed them into the living room. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --12:30PM Juban ward-- Ranma sat across from his mother and Usagi with a troubled look on his face. “Mom,” he had decided to try and reason with her first. “I don’t think it’s that hot of an idea.” “Oh and why not, they are your friends to.” She just sat and smiled at him. Usagi, who had come in just after the girls left with two over night bags, watched the discussion between mother and son. Auntie was calm and serene as if this was just a formality; Ranma however had a look of desperation about him. “Well for starters it’s just going to be really weird.” There a simple attack to sound out your opponent. “Hmm… how so.” “Well there are a bunch of girls.” He crossed his arms over his chest in a pose of triumph, as if his statement had explained everything. “Usagi’s a girl and she will be here, for a couple of days at least.” “Usagi don’t count as a girl,” he must have saw the girls left eye start twitching; much to Nodokas’ amusement. “She’s more like family.” Usagi was thinking. “Well I’m sorry son but I still don’t see the difference, do you Usagi.” “Can’t say that I do auntie.” “Their going to be in nighties, what if I see something I shouldn’t.” “What if you happen to see something you like.” Nodokas answer left Usagi blushing all the way to her fingertips and poor Ranma wide eyed and spluttering trying to spit out any kind retort. As Ranma calmed down, the doorbell rang and Usagi rose to answer it. Hearing muffled voices behind him, he decided to go down fighting. “It doesn’t matter anyway, I was going to give… Kasumi a call and see if she’d like to go out tonight.” He gave his mother a cocky grin. “You know dinner, maybe a movie afterwards.” The voice from behind him nearly laid him out. “Oh my, if I knew I would have worn something much nicer.” And thus ends chapter 2. DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters from Ranma ½, Sailor moon, Rorouni Kenshin, or Kotetsu. Also I used some elements from the game Werewolf, which I also do not own. I am not receiving any compensation for writing this. So if I were you I’d sit down and read it, or not. To be blunt I don’t care what you do just don’t waste my time or yours in a lawsuit. PS I don’t own anything cool anyway. All right well another chapter done and I do believe it should really star to get rather interesting from here. Chapter 3 is pretty much finished, just have to type it up. Just to let you know the inclusion of the werewolf game references are in no way involved in a past or presently on going game, so sorry this is in no way some sort of self insert fic. Any questions ask it’s my fic so chances are I would be the guy with the answers. You can e-mail me at Garyfed@cs.com once again thanks for reading and god bless America.