First fic alert. This isn't the first thing I have written. But it is the first on I have even considered posting to the FFML. If you have read any kind of fan fiction before then you have seen the disclaimers that all (well almost all) fics have. I was warned that my previous 'please don't sue me' statement was almost an open invitation to sue. Well, please don't sue. I have no real money I am a poor college student. My estimated net worth could not even come to a thousand dollars. (And now a days it probably doesn't even break a hundred.) C&C is welcomed and encouraged. No flames please. I need some help on the names I have created. Are they close enough to Japanese to pass? Thanks to all pre-readers. Without which this work would be a lot worse. As a final note Kasumi might be OOC, at least from the cannon. I prescribe, at least in this fic, to the idea that Kasumi isn't nearly as oblivious as she seems. Here it is. Version 2.14 Last Update: 08/23/98 -------------------- Thoughts <> Sound Effects ** -------------------- It was a dark and rainy day in Nerima, turning into a dark and rainy weekend. At noon all the streetlights came on and by six you couldn't even seen them through the rain. Not even the local martial arts fanatics would be wandering about in this weather, well maybe with the exception of one old pervert. And the women chasing him of course; but there wasn't nearly as many as normal. There was one person out in this weather, but he wasn't a martial arts fanatic, or even just plain crazy. His attire seemed to match the weather perfectly, a large brown trench coat (so soaked it looked black) and a large leather hat, pulled over his face. It is attire that any fictional detective would wear, but if that is what this person was going for he failed miserably. No, this person had a look or maybe a feel about him that would make any police officer that him stop to ask him a few questions. Maybe about an unsolved murder, or maybe about some illegal drugs just taken from some street punks, or any of a dozen unsolved cases. And if they noticed his companion they would do more that question him. With him this man had a young girl, who seemed to be no older than five years of age. She was wearing a small parka that did nothing to keep her either warm or dry. She could be better shape. Her hair is the definition of unkempt, and she hasn't had a chance to bath in sometime. If you paid close attention you might notice that she has not been very well fed in a long time either, and that her clothing really didn't fit her. She seemed almost invisible, the kind of person you could look straight at and not even notice. She seemed almost part of the background, only the most observant person would see her, and even then only if they where paying careful attention. The man leads the girl down the street, not showing any affection or concern for her. The feeling was mutual; the girl did not exactly have a look of hate on her face, more like a look that says, "I wish I was anywhere else." The man was obviously searching for something, something he found just a few minutes latter. What he found was a large walled residence. The sign above the gate proclaimed it to be the "Tendo Dojo." Grimly the man knocked on the door and waited. -------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Part 1: The Beginning -------------------- Ranma has had a bad day. It wouldn't take a genius to figure that out. The set of his shoulders where screaming to the world that he was not happy. Ranma thinks to himself, Thankfully, with the exception of Kasumi he had the house to himself. Akane and Nabiki where spending the weekend with friends, and Happosai is out stealing panties. Both sets of fathers where with Nodoka, most likely trying to come up for a plan for another wedding. The weather was keeping all the usual problems away. Of course it was too good to last. And of course here he was doing homework, not that he had anything else to do, but still... It was at this point in his contemplation that Ranma heard Kasumi's voice downstairs. "Ranma is up in his room. Ranma you have a guest." Kasumi calls up to him. As the man walked in the room Ranma has to fight an instinct to go into a combat stance, "Are you Saotome Ranma?" The man's voice fit his looks. The term ominous doesn't even come close to describing it. Even Darth Vader's voice had nothing on this one. "Yes, I am," Ranma answers, "What do you want?" "I am a courier, I was hired by one Misko Tako, to give you something." With this the man reached into his coat. Ranma fearing the worse goes into an instant combat stance. "Here," The courier pulls out a huge brown envelope and hands it to Ranma, "This is everything you need to know." "Your not here to challenge, kill me, or drag me to an altar, are you?" "No. Read the packet." "Wait..." Ranma suddenly realizes something, "Did you say Misko Tako?" "Yes" Ranma gulps and worriedly replies, "Is she ok?" "I am not sure, I was hired over the phone. The information you want is in the envelope." The courier points to the envelope. Ranma looks down, almost unwillingly, to the envelope, and as soon as his eyes are away, the man quickly and quietly leaves. But he left the child behind. Ranma looks up quickly with hundreds of questions on his mind, but breaks off when he sees that the man was gone and at the sight of what he left behind... Ranma openly stares at the child, who looks back at him through her hair, head down. An extremely shy look is on her face, "Hello," Ranma says, in a very quiet voice, "Who are you?" Not getting an answer Ranma begins to examine the packet. As he reads the information in the package he begins to look rapidly between the child and the packet. His face turns pale, almost as if he had seen a cat. Finally he voices all his thoughts in one simple statement. "Why me? Why?!" -------------------- Kasumi has had a good day. The house was clean and the usual problems had stayed off the Dojo's grounds. She was, however, worried about Ranma. The stress seemed to be getting to him. For the last couple of days he seemed rather depressed, a great deal like his friend Ryoga. As if her thoughts had summoned him Ranma came slowly down the stairs. Kasumi bit back a gasp, for Ranma was paler than she had ever seen him before, but in his eyes was a serious look. "Kasumi." "Yes Ranma?" "Do we have anything to eat?" Kasumi frowns knowing Ranma ate less than two hours ago, "Are you hungry Ranma?" "It's not for me." With this Ranma reaches behind him and gently pulls the girl from behind him, where she has hidden. This time Kasumi was not able to hold in her gasp. The girl had obviously not eaten for several days, and the look she afforded Kasumi was one of the most fearful she had ever seen. The child had been hiding behind Ranma's leg and didn't seem too inclined to let go. Without a word Kasumi got up and heads into the kitchen. A little less than two minutes later she comes out with a virtual feast. Everything that was ready to eat in the kitchen was placed in front of the girl. After looking at Ranma and then Kasumi the child attacks the food with gusto that would put Genma to shame. "You need to slow down some," Ranma gently chides, "You'll get sick if you don't." "Ranma who is this?" Ranma looks carefully at Kasumi and then to the girl, he then motions Kasumi into the kitchen. Once in the kitchen Ranma hands Kasumi a small stack of official looking documents, "Well according to these, she is my daughter." "..." Kasumi would have fainted, but she was too stunned to faint. "Her name is registered as Saotome Miko, her mother is not listed but her father is listed as Saotome Ranma." "Ranma you do realize the trouble you will be in if you accept that girl as a daughter?" "I don't really care. This is something I just have to do. This is something they'll just have to get use to." "Are you sure you want to do this?" As an answer Ranma nods and smiles. Garbing something to drink Ranma returns to the main room and sits next to Miko; who had stopped eating when Ranma left the room. After Ranma sits back down next to Miko she once again begins eating, if anything speeding up the pace of her eating. Kasumi waits just a little longer before returning to the main room, As Kasumi returns to the main room one more question occurs to Kasumi, "Ranma what are you going to do about everyone else?" End Part 1 Well here it is my first fic. I hope it wasn't too bad. If you need to get in touch with me write me at trscrogg@unity.ncsu.edu I've got a web site now, it's at http://www4.ncsu.edu/~trscrogg/index.html All my stories are stored here. Part Two Ranma introduces Miko to pleasure of a bath. Miko calls Ranma "dad." Kasumi tries to discover more of Miko's and Ranma's past. Happosai appears. First fic alert. This isn't the first thing I have written. But it is the first on I have even considered posting to the FFML. If you have read any kind of fan fiction before then you have seen the disclaimers that all (well almost all) fics have. I was warned that my previous please don't sue me statement was almost an open invitation to sue. Well, please don't sue. I have no real money I am a poor college student. My estimated net worth could not even come to a thousand dollars. C&C is welcomed and encouraged. Flames aren't, really. Thanks to all pre-readers. Without which this work would be a lot worse. As a final note Kasumi might be OOC, at least from the cannon. I prescribe (at least in this fic) to the idea that Kasumi isn't nearly as oblivious as she seems. Ditto Happosai, but he had a bad night, and he will be back. Here it is. Version 2.13 Last Revision: 08/23/98 -------------------- Thoughts <> Authors notes () Stressed words -- Sound FX ** -------------------- What has happened previously... A mysterious, unnamed guest has come for Ranma. That guest brought with him a large brown envelope stuffed full... He also five year old girl. As soon as Ranma's back was turned the guest vanishes leaving the girl behind. Ranma tells Kasumi that she is registered legally as his daughter, and he intends to take care of her. Kasumi is worried about Ranma and is suspicious about his easy acceptance of the child. As we left last Kasumi was asking the question... -------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Part 2:Changes Beginning -------------------- "Ranma what are you going to do about everyone else?" Ranma silently thinks about this while watching Miko, his 'daughter' eat. Her feeding frenzy had calmed down to a quiet roar, right now she was only eating at Soun's speed. Ranma is thinking about Misko Tako the woman that sent the child to Ranma. "I don't really know, I'm just glad I have the weekend without the others. It might give me time to figure out what I am going to do about all the fiancees and stuff." "Are you sure you want to do this Ranma?" Kasumi asks with worry obviously in her voice. "Yeah, I am sure, I promised." Ranma tells Kasumi, and then turns to Miko, "Do you want anything to drink?" Miko only shakes her head as a reply. "Anyway the only person we have to worry about right now is Happosai..." Of course this is when Happosai entered the main room, or more like dragged, his way in. His sack usually filled with women's undergarments, drags on the ground behind him, empty. "What happened to you, you old pervert?" was Ranma's typical reply. "There isn't anything to do, no panties, no bras, no women, no nothing," Happosai laments. "Even I could have told you that," Ranma returns, with a smile in his voice, "No one hangs up things to dry in the pouring rain." "Oh well there was hope," Happosai finally notices Miko. He is slightly startled to see such a young child in the Dojo. "Who is this, Ranma?" Ranma's voice losses his humor and begins to become dangerous, "You don't need to worry about her you old pervert. She's none of your business." "I don't know Ranma, Soun might be interested in the fact that you have brought such a young child into the Dojo. And you seem to be feeding her everything in the house." Ranma's voice is approaching the freezing point of water, a which Happosai ignores, "I told you it was none of your business, letch." Happosai leaps at Miko and tries to make off with some of the food, only to be stopped in mid-leap by the now angry Ranma. "I am only going to tell you once old man," The anger in Ranma's voice is so evident that not even the Kunos could miss it, and Happosai certainly can't, "-Leave- her --alone--!" Happosai is a very old man, no one really know just how old he is, but to have lasted as long as he has means that he has at least some intelligence. Happosai can't miss the threat in Ranma's voice, and decides that discretion is the better part of valor, at least for now, "You know maybe I should go see if anyone has left their treasures out by accident..." "Do that." As Happosai bounds out into the rain Kasumi looks towards Ranma, "Was that really necessary Ranma?" "If got that letch out of my hair for a while, yes it was." Ranma looks to Kasumi then to Miko, "Kasumi, I am going to go give Miko a bath, could you find me some old clothes to put on her?" "Ok, Ranma. Some of Akane's old clothes might be around somewhere." ----------------------- It takes Ranma a few minutes but he manages to get Miko undressed. Ranma carefully checks Miko over as he slowly scrubs her down. He is relieved to see that while she is underfed, a fact even more obvious when undressed, she doesn't seem to have been injured, visibly at least. After scrubbing and rising the child off he carefully places her in the furo. Miko's eyes go wide as she realizes the water is warm and a delighted expression appears on her face. She smiles and giggles obviously both delighted and happy, and she begins to splash around. But after only a moment of splashing Miko pauses and looks at Ranma. It takes Ranma a moment, but he realizes that she is asking him for permission to play. Ranma smiles and nods at Miko, getting a happy little laugh from the child. She then accidentally splashes at Ranma, who jumps out of the way while laughing out loud. Fortunately the water is too warm to trigger his curse. "Hey watch it," The laughing Ranma jokes, "I have already had my bath today. Now you soak some and I will go see if Kasumi has found any clothes." Miko only nods in response. -------------------------- Kasumi has already found several outfits for Miko when Ranma reappears out of the bath. "Have you found anything Kasumi?" Kasumi smiles and hands Ranma a couple outfits, "These are all I have found so far," Kasumi's expression then changes into a frown, and worry again appears in her voice, "Ranma, you seem to be taking this better than I thought you would. What is going on?" *Sigh* "I can't tell you Kasumi, all I can say is...no I can't say it." "Why not Ranma, don't you trust me?" Ranma starts in surprise at this last statement but slowly shakes his head and sighs again, "No I can't, its not as if I don't trust you or nothing. But I can't tell you, I promised." Kasumi is surprised with Ranma's reluctance but manages to hide it. Ranma gathers the clothing and heads back into the bath, but before he closes the door behind him he turns to Kasumi and with a sad voice, "I am sorry Kasumi, I can't tell you why I have to take care of Miko. I am really sorry." Ranma closes the door and Kasumi sighs and says quietly to herself, "I want to help Ranma, but I can't help if I don't know what the problem is." Kasumi sighs again and returns to her search for clothing, "Maybe there is something in Nabiki's closet." ----------------------------- The sight Ranma returns to could make anyone laugh. Miko looks a great deal like a red raisin, but it doesn't seem to bother her any. She seems slightly ashamed as Ranma returns, a great deal like a child with one hand caught in a cookie jar. "Come on out Miko," Ranma tells Miko, "If you soak any longer you could turn into a raisin." Miko smiles and for the first time, besides for eating, she opens her mouth and says, "Ok...daddy." To say Ranma is stunned doesn't even begin to describe it. Ranma instantly assumes a deer in headlights look and manages to stutter out "wha.. wha.. what dddid you call me?" With a look of total innocence Miko replies, "Daddy." "wwwha wha why?" Miko smiles and giggles slightly, "That man that brought me here told me you where my daddy. He said that you would take care of me. When he left me in your room you where nice to me," Miko's voice drops to a whisper, "No one has been nice to me before," She continues in a stronger voice, "And you made that pretty lady give me lots of food." By this time Ranma managed to pick his jaw up off the ground and in a much steadier, but still nervous voice, slowly forces the words out, "Do you want me to be your daddy?" He fears the answer, but is not sure which answer he will fear more. Miko looks down at her feet and slowly, quietly whispers, "Yes." In a voice no louder than the one Miko just used Ranma says, "I not really sure if I can be your father now, so please call me Ranma. Miko looks down and sadly says, "Yes...Ranma..." Ranma smiles and begins to towel Miko off, "Now Miko, there is something's you need to know." "What?" Miko replies, still sad. "Very strange things happen to me all the time." "Like what?" It is at this point that Ranma has fully recovered from his surprise at being called daddy and begins to notice that Miko has a very beautiful voice, strangely melodic, it almost seems that she is singing every word. "Well for starters," Ranma begins, "I have many different women chasing me, and some strange guys attacking me for no reason. So, for your own safety you better not call me daddy in front of anyone, I'm not really sure what they will do, but it won't be good. And if anyone attacks me you better run and stay out of the way." Miko is a little confused but agrees anyway, "What about that pretty lady that feed me?" Ranma thinks for a minute and then replies, "Its ok with her, she will probably figure it out soon enough anyway, but not in front of anyone else until I say it is ok." Miko nods slowly, still confused, but accepting anyway. Ranma reaches over for the showerhead and continues, "Here is another problem, now watch closely." And with that Ranma starts the cold water streaming over her head, starting the change. Miko stares at her 'father' whom no longer looks like her daddy, "..." "Miko when I get wet I change into a girl..." "How?" Miko interrupts. "My own father is rather stupid, he took me to this place in China called Jusenkyou, it has lots of springs and when I feel into one I started changing into a girl when I get hit with cold water. My father changes into a Panda when he gets wet. Everyone here know about it but there are still a few people who haven't figured it out yet." "Ok," Miko is confused, but is willing to deal with it, "Can you turn back?" "Yeah, watch," Using one of the buckets Ranma takes some water out of the still warm furo and dumps in on his head, triggering the return transformation. Miko just giggles. "Ok Miko, let's get you dressed." ----------------------- After dressing her Ranma studies Miko for a moment. Now that she is clean and dressed in a dress from Akane's childhood, Miko appears no older than she did before, around five or six. She is a little short for her age, and she is very cute. Her hair is very shiny, but not oily, and seems to be more like polished copper than anything else. Her face is the only part of her that looks any older than the rest of her. Her eyes are set in a way that makes her seem sad or worried. Her eyes are also her most unusual feature, as they are most certainly copper in color, and seem to look right into your heart. It is very hard to look her in the eye for more than a moment. "What are you looking at...daddy?" Ranma smiles and say to Miko, "You are very pretty...And please call me Ranma." Miko looks at her Ranma's sincere face and burst into tears. "What's wrong Miko? What did I say?" Panic rises in Ranma's voice, Through her sobs Miko explains, "No one ever called me pretty before." "Its true, you are very pretty." Miko smiles at Ranma through her tears and nods slightly. "Come on Miko lets go show Kasumi how pretty you look." ----------------------- Kasumi is preparing a futon for Miko when Ranma walks in. "Hello Ranma," says Kasumi, "What is it?" Ranma smiles a little smile and steps aside, revealing Miko. "Oh, my! What a pretty little girl you are." Ranma glances at Miko afraid that she was going to start to cry again, but instead Miko runs up to Kasumi and hugs her around the legs. "Thank you," she says with tears in her voice. Kasumi looks startled for a moment, as if she can not tell if Miko is happy or sad, but then leans down to give Miko a real hug, which Miko happily returns. "I prepared you a bed little one, why don't you Ranma get ready for bed?" "Ok." The pair reply. ------------------------- It is several hours later and Ranma can't seem to get to sleep, something just doesn't feel right for some reason. "Are you awake...Ranma?" Miko asks in a whisper. "Can't you sleep Miko?" "No daddy," Miko whispers in reply, "Can I sleep with you?" "Ok," Ranma replies, after thinking a moment, (and deciding to let this 'daddy' slide) then he makes some room for Miko in his futon. After she crawls in Ranma carefully puts his arm around his daughter. Miko rapidly snuggles into Ranma's side and a dreamy look on her face as she rapidly falls asleep in his arms. "Good night, Miko," Ranma quietly breaths out, "Have pleasant dreams." Just before Miko falls asleep she thinks to herself, Ranma waits until he is sure Miko is asleep then his thoughts turn to the one person he had spent much of the day thinking about. And in a tiny voice he whispers a single word, "Misko-san." And with that word said Ranma falls asleep, a single tear running down his cheek. -------------------------------- End part 2 Yes I now that it ends with WAFF but that might change soon. After all the trouble hasn't had a chance to start yet. Write me at trscrogg@unity.ncus.edu with C&C and other questions. I've got a web site now, it's at http://www4.ncsu.edu/~trscrogg/index.html All my stories are stored here. Part 3 Kasumi corners Ranma and tries to drag some truth out of him. Happosai comes back for some more trouble. Ranma and Miko go shopping. Miko calls Kasumi 'Aunt Kasumi'. Kasumi tries to find some of the information that was in the packet. First fic alert. This isn't the first thing I have written. But it is the first on I have even considered posting to the FFML. If you have read any kind of fan fiction before then you have seen the disclaimers that all (well almost all) fics have. I was warned that my previous please don't sue me statement was almost an open invitation to sue. Well, please don't sue. I have no real money I am a poor college student. My estimated net worth could not even come to a thousand dollars. C&C is welcomed and encouraged. Flames aren't, really. Thanks to all my pre-readers, who helped improve this work greatly. As a final note Kasumi might be a little OOC, at least from the cannon. I prescribe (at least in this fic) to the idea that Kasumi isn't nearly as oblivious as she seems. Here it is. Version 2.1 -------------------- Thoughts <> Authors notes () Stressed words -- Sound FX ** Ranma in girl form -chan -------------------- What has happened before: A mysterious stranger has come to the Tendo Dojo with a deliver for Ranma. That delivery is a small, female, child. Information given to Ranma indicates that the child is Saotome Miko...And Ranma is registered as her father... Kasumi is the only other person at the Dojo besides Ranma, and she is very surprised at how easily Ranma accepts Miko, and wonders who Miko's parents really are... After a bath Miko calls Ranma "daddy", something that completely floors Ranma... And something he doesn't entirly accept... Miko has trouble sleeping, so she sleeps with Ranma. It is now morning, and the rest of the Saotome and Tendo clans are due in latter that day... -------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Part 3: Times are a Changing -------------------- It is morning at the Tendo Dojo. Kasumi was already awake and preparing breakfast. Both Ranma and Miko were still asleep. Thought they wouldn't be asleep long... Ranma thinks to himself, not really awake yet, It is at this point, that Ranma realizes that it is slightly warmer in the futon that it usually is, and that only one of the breathing sounds belongs to him. With a sinking feeling Ranma realizes that last nights dream...Wasn't exactly a dream. Ranma worries, while carefully loosing Miko's death grip around his chest, Ranma carefully goes down stairs, and Miko just turns over in Ranma's futon, her dreams suddenly turning for the worse. -------------------- Kasumi thinks to herself as she continues to go about cooking breakfast, Once again, Ranma appears just as Kasumi begins to think about him. He seems a little thoughtful and worried, but that look passes quickly when he spots Kasumi, "Morning Kasumi, how are you?" Kasumi gives Ranma that smile that only she seems to be able to do and replies, "Ok, Ranma. You know Ranma I had a really strange dream last night..." *Sigh* "It wasn't a dream Kasumi. I really do have a kid, she's still asleep." "Oh, my. (Sorry) Ranma whatever are you going to do?" "I don't know. But I am trying not to worry to much about it, if I do I might lose it completely." "Hi Ranma," Yells Happosai, flinging the usual bucket of water at Ranma, triggering the curse, "Let an old man rest in your glorious bosom." Suiting word to action Happosai glomps onto Ranma-chan's chest. Ranma reacts predictably and pounds the old man away. "Ranma, who was that girl last night?" Happosai asks, tensing to leap in for another glomp. "I told you last night you old man. It's none of your business." Ranma yells at the shrunken martial arts master. "Stay away from her." "Come on Ranma, I'm not going to hurt her, you can tell your beloved master who she is." Happosai makes the mistake of glomping onto Ranma-chan again. Ranma punches Happosai into the koi pond (of course). "Ok Ranma, you either tell me who that girl is, or you can have this." With these words Happosai pulls out one of his fireworks and prepares to toss it at Ranma-chan. "Not today you old lech,"* POW* and Happosai is now air-born, explosive still in hand. He makes it several hundred feet from the Dojo when it goes off with a giant *BOOM*. ----------------------- The sound of the explosion causes Miko to start in her sleep and leap back to awareness. Without opening her eyes she tries to discover where she is, "NOOOOOO!" Miko screams out loud. She shoots up straight in the futon and begins crying to herself, "No, it wasn't a dream, it wasn't, I know it wasn't a dream, it can't have been a dream." Miko continues to cry to herself, slowly becoming aware of the world around her, which is not the place she feared it was, and of the worried faces of the two people that she just meet last night. "Daddy!" Miko cries out and grabs Ranma in a hug tighter than one Shampoo has ever given, totally cutting off Ranma's air supply. Despite of not being able to breathe Ranma is relived, Miko doesn't appear to be hurt. He is also annoyed that she called him 'daddy' again. But when she doesn't stop crying Ranma begins to panic. Ranma looks to Kasumi with a pleading look on his face. Seeing Ranma's look, and his swiftly changing face hue, Kasumi takes pity on Ranma and using her most comforting tones she carefully tries to pry Miko from Ranma, but only succeeds in transferring Miko's death grip >from Ranma to herself. "It's ok Miko, it's ok. You are safe here." Ranma takes his cue from Kasumi and also adopts a soothing tone, "I ain't going to leave you Miko, you are with me now. I ain't going to let anyone hurt you. You understand?" Miko smiles thorough her tears and nods to Ranma, but still doesn't release her grip on Kasumi. Kasumi begins to notice that she can't breathe but decides not to worry about it. "Come on Miko, why don't you let go of me and come have some breakfast." Miko decides that this is a good idea, and lets go of Kasumi. Ranma smiles at Miko and goes and gets another of the outfits Kasumi had found for Miko and as the two of them help Miko dress both notice that the clothing is looking old and a little threadbare. Both also notice Miko's rather poor physical shape. Kasumi recommends Ranma goes shopping for some newer clothing for Miko. Ranma isn't happy with this idea and makes some token protests, but Miko's hopeful look soon changes his mind, though he still grumbles about not wanting to do 'girlish' things. --------------------- The three have gone downstairs and have begun to have breakfast. It seems Miko still has a tremendous appetite and is well on the way to out eating Ranma. "Thank you pretty lady," Miko thanks Kasumi after she has destroyed her portion of breakfast. "You are welcomed Miko, but please call me Kasumi." "Ok...Aunt Kasumi." Kasumi's reaction to being called 'aunt' isn't that different than Ranma's reaction to 'daddy'. She is completely shocked that this child has come to trust her so much in such a short period of time. She realizes now that this child is now very much a part of the family, and that removing Miko from her family would be the same as killing her. With Ranma Miko finally has someone who at least makes all the motions of caring for her. And it seems to Kasumi that she has joined that rather exclusive group that is a child's trust. "Your welcome Miko." Kasumi, as usual, tries not to let any of her rather stunned feelings out, but Ranma's rather 'she got you too' grin told her she wasn't entirely succeeding. "Alright Ranma why don't you get ready, and then you can take Miko shopping." Ranma's face falls as he realizes that he hasn't gotten out of the shopping trip. *Sigh* "Alright Kasumi." Ranma heads upstairs for a minute, getting ready for the shopping trip. After finishing his preparations Ranma heads downstairs, collects Miko, and heads towards the nearest mall, ---------------------- As soon as she is sure they are gone Kasumi heads up to Ranma's room. Kasumi begins a short, but through, examination of the room Ranma shares with his father. Unfortunately, and much to her frustration, Kasumi is unable to find any of the papers Ranma showed her concerning Miko's parentage. Kasumi begins to check around the room again, and this time notices a note on Ranma's desk that she missed the first time. The note is in Ranma's rather poor handwriting, made even sloppier by the haste it was written in. The note's message makes Kasumi laugh, "Dear Kasumi," Kasumi reads out-loud from the note, "If you are looking for Miko's birth certificate, it is downstairs on a shelf. Don't bother trying to see if there was anything else, I have already hidden all that stuff in a place not even Nabiki could find it." After getting a short laugh at Ranma's note Kasumi sobers up and slowly goes over the room one more time. ----------------------- Ranma, or rather Ranma-chan, has succeeds in getting Miko to the nearest mall with no incident greater than a splash by the usual lady throwing water. Ranma is most definitely put out by the change, but after a moments thought he decides that returning to his male form just wasn't worth the trouble, especially for what is coming up. So with only a minor pause to adjust clothing the shopping trip continues. Miko thinks as Ranma-chan leads her into a store specializing in clothing for women, "Daddy...I mean Ranma...er, why are you like that right now?" Ranma has a nervous expression on his...her face as she leads Miko into the department store, "This store only sells clothing to girls, and I don't want anyone I know seeing me here, I will never live it down. And don't call me daddy." "Oh." Miko is still confused but decides to let the matter drop, "Oh isn't this dress pretty? Please can we get this dress?" Ranma's fears prove all to true as Miko begins to drag him from rack to rack of clothes, trying on everything in sight. She even tries to get Ranma to try some clothing, and after several attempts (employing some pleading and a couple tears) gets Ranma into a cute red sundress. Ranma is completely disgusted with it, but finds he can't refuse Miko for very long. Ranma has begun to beg to the gods that no one he knows sees him, especially one person in particular... "What a glorious day this is, hark do my eyes deceive me? Is this form that graces my eyes my glorious pig-tailed goddess? Hello my dear goddess, you are trying to make yourself pretty for a date with the noble Kuno Tatewaki." "I have told you before Blue Dunder, I ain't going to date you." Ranma is cursing the fates that brought the absolute worse person to her at the absolutely worse time. "Hark, what is this vision of youthful beauty is this? Perhaps your cousin or your sister, my pig-tailed beauty." Ranma grins a rather nasty idea, "Nay, my gentle Tatewaki, this is mine offspring. Is not my child a truly great beauty?" Kuno, for once, is stunned beyond his usual speech mode. "-No-, this can't be. Who is the father of this demon child?" Ranma is stunned by Kuno's rapid change in attitude, and forgets to keep up her formal speech, "My, child is -not- a demon, -Tatewaki-, and you don't need to know who her father is." Ranma guides the slightly stunned Miko away with their purchases, stopping only long enough to change back into her usual Chinese outfit, leaving a stammering and shocked Kuno. Kuno stands stock still for several minutes, his mind furiously trying to fit in Miko into the world he has created in his mind. Unfortunately Miko's existence is contrary to Kuno's deepest beliefs, that his pig-tailed goddess is as pure as snow, and that he is the only one she sees as a love. Struggling with this unimaginable (at least to him) paradox Kuno comes to the decision that only one person could be the source of this dilemma... "-No-, that foul sorcerer Saotome has defiled the laws of nature itself and has summoned a demon in the likeness of a child, to force my beloved pig-tailed one away from her true love. He will not get away with this fallacy. First I will destroy the foul sorcerer, then that demon-spawn that wears the guise of an innocent child. I Kuno Tatewaki, Blue Thunder of Furinkan High -swear- it!" With these words Kuno runs of to get a true weapon to do the foul sorcerer and his demon away with. Thoughts of glorious victory running through his head, along with the dream of a grateful pig-tailed goddess... ---------------------- Ranma-chan and Miko spend another couple hours shopping, Ranma seems to be a little less reluctant to be shopping with Miko as the length of the shopping trip increases. While she doesn't get to the point of actually enjoying the trip, Miko doesn't need to put in nearly as much effort to get Ranma-chan into a store. Along with clothes Ranma-chan has bought Miko some important items, like toothbrush and other personal items. Miko also got some not so important items, like a stuffed rabbit, (Ranma turned down the original idea of a stuffed cat down flat.) and a pretty rubber ball. Miko herself is thrilled, this is the first time she has been shopping, and she plans to see everything and everything available. "Daddy, I'm hungry." Miko quietly tells Ranma-chan after they have been shopping for about four hours. Ranma's arms are loaded with packages. (You've seen this before, a person so loaded down with stuff that you can't see them through the packages, well Ranma has almost reached that point.) He doesn't seem to mind the weight of the packages too much (truth be told they really aren't that heavy). He too, however, is getting hungry. "Ok, Miko so am I, and what did I tell you about calling me 'daddy'?" Miko has the good sense to look slightly ashamed and look down at her feet. She isn't very sorry though. She doesn't understand the problem Ranma tried to tell her about last night. Ranma stops next to a bathroom in the food court, "Now, Miko you wait here a second, I am going to change back." Ranma steps into the bathroom and comes out less than a minute, once again male. Ranma takes Miko's hand and leads her down into the food court. Miko thinks, Ranma thinks to himself, Ranma and Miko purchase a large lunch (for anyone normal, we all know Ranma can eat a horse) and settle down to enjoy it. They eat quietly for several minutes when Kuno appears in the food court. Kuno is in an almost rabid rage. He is carrying a real katana and is almost franticly searching for something. He then notices Ranma, and more importantly (to him at least) Miko. "At last I have found you demon child, with your death my lovely pig-tailed goddess will be free." Ranma looks at Miko, surprised by Kuno's rage, "Hold it Kuno, what are you doing? Attacking a child is low, even for you." "I see no child accursed Saotome, all I see is a demon in the guise of a child. A demon you no doubt you summoned to bind my beloved pig-tailed goddess to yourself in eternal slavery." Miko looks like she is about to burst into tears (she has just been called a demon, what would you do?). Ranma turns to look Kuno in the eye and yells, "That's stupid even for you Kuno." "Silence nave," Kuno yells, "And stand aside I am here for your demon, you I will slay later." Ranma quickly shifts into a combat stance and yells to Miko over his shoulder, "Miko, run!" Then Ranma attacks Kuno without preamble. Miko runs away quickly, and Kuno seeing his target fleeing quickly tries to follow, but is stopped by the enraged Ranma. More specifically by the enraged Ranma's foot, which is landing in Kuno's face. The fight with Kuno goes relatively quickly, at least to an outside viewer. To Ranma, however, the fight seems to go on forever, he is so worried about Miko that Kuno lands a few glancing blows with his katana, causing minor cuts to appear on Ranma. Ranma's shirt is cut many times, and a few of those cuts draw blood. Kuno seems pleased that he has injured Ranma, though he is fighting no better than before, only Ranma's worry for Miko allows Kuno to land the blows that he does. The fight goes on for about a solid minute, and while Kuno has done more damage to Ranma than ever before, he is rapidly losing. Ranma's punches, while slower than usual, are certainly not lacking in power. In the end of the fight Kuno ends up buried in a wall, placed there by a snap kick to Kuno's stomach. Kuno then mumbles something about resting a short while, and closes his eyes. "Miko, Miko where are you?" Ranma calls out, pushing through the crowds that have gathered to see the fight, "Miko answer me!" Ranma is beginning to panic, "MIKO!" "Over here daddy." Miko's voice calls, calming Ranma's panic. Ranma looks in the direction of Miko's voice and sees... nothing. "Miko where are you? I can't see you." Ranma searches the area Miko's voice came from, but sees nothing. "Over here daddy," Miko giggles. Then Miko -appears- next to a trash can, just appears. First she wasn't there then and then she was, appearing in a place Ranma could have swore she wasn't a second ago, "I was hiding." Ranma is shocked by Miko's sudden appearance, "Whaa...How did you do that Miko." "Do what?" "Disappear like that." "I don't know what you are talking about." Miko's confusion is clearly evident in her voice. *Sigh* "Never mind," Ranma concedes, also ignoring Miko's calling him 'daddy' in public, "Are you hurt Miko." "My leg hurts," Miko whines, "What's wrong with it?" Ranma looks at Miko's leg, but sees noting wrong with it, then an idea occurs to Ranma, "Listen Miko, an old friend of mine just moved back into town, he can fix you right up." Miko accepts this and closely looks at her father, "Are you hurt daddy?" "Nah, its nothing." "Are you sure?" Miko gently touches one of the wounds on Ranma's sides, making him whimper a little, "You are hurt." Ranma clenches his teeth and manages to force out the words, "Nah, its nothing." Ranma gathers up Miko and their purchases and slowly caries them out of the mall leaving Kuno stuck in the wall. Kuno musses to himself, Unfortunately, it seems that many people heard Miko call Ranma daddy, and dozens of rumors where created on the spot. Also unfortunately for Ranma, none of these rumors where very kind... ---------------------- On route to his 'old friend' Ranma remembers to tell Miko about her calling him 'daddy' again, she once again relents, but seems even more reluctant to do it after being saved from a madman. ---------------------- Ranma has taken Miko to a familiar looking clinic. One that has a 'Just reopened' sign on its front door. Miko seems nervous at being in a place so completely new to her, but trusts her father knows what he is doing. "Dr. Tofu, are you here?" Ranma asks as he enters the clinic, he carefully sets Miko down and calls out again, "Doc, I need your help." "In here Ranma," Dr. Tofu's voice echoes from one of the examination rooms, "Come right one in, I'll be with you in a second." Dr. Tofu steps out from the examination room, whipping of his glasses. He appears no different than the last time he was seen in Tokyo. "What can I do for you Ranma? Oh and who is this young lady?" Ranma reaches behind his head and nervously plays with his pigtail, "Well Doc, this is Miko (nervous pause, -extremely- nervous pause), my daughter. We both need a check-up, and I sort of need to be patched up again." Tofu raises an eyebrow at this announcement, but decides not to make any major comments, "Ok Ranma, you first, then your daughter." Dr. Tofu's examination of Ranma is done in his usual efficient way, though slightly more gentle for Miko's sake, after the examination Dr. Tofu sets Ranma on his feet and Miko promptly hides behind his legs, shyly peaking out a Dr. Tofu, "That wasn't too bad, Ranma. Not the worst I have seen you, but if you where anyone else I would tell you to go to the hospital. However, I am going to ask that you don't get into anymore fights for a day or two, to make sure your fully healed. You have lost some blood, and these are bad cuts." Ranma gives a rather ironic grin, "That might be a little hard Doc, you see Akane and our folks don't know about Miko yet. I'm pretty sure that staying out of fights, or avoiding poundings, is something I ain't going to be able to do for a few days. Now Miko needs a check-up, she complained about her leg about half an hour ago." Tofu looks carefully at the shy little girl and stoops down so their eyes are even with each other, "Hello Miko, I'm Dr. Ono Tofu, but you can call me Dr. Tofu. I try to make people that are hurt better. Can I look at your leg?" Miko nods at doctor Tofu and steps out from in front of Ranma's leg. Ranma carefully picks Miko up and places her on the examination table. Tofu carefully examines Miko's leg, and pokes a few pressure points, a few minutes later Dr. Tofu is finished with his examination. "There all done, Ranma I need to talk to you alone for a second or two." Ranma nods and turns to Miko, "Miko, why don't you go play with your new ball in the lobby." Miko smiles and nods at Ranma and heads out into the lobby, as soon as she is gone Dr. Tofu's face turns serious and he motions Ranma to sit down. "Ranma, I don't really want to be the one to tell you this," Tofu begins, "But something is seriously wrong with your daughters leg." Ranma is not too happy to hear this, "What?" "I am not entirely sure, but my guess would be that it was badly broken a long time ago. For some reason it didn't heal correctly. I fear that if she suffers from too much stress, she might suffer from some serious complications." "I understand Doc, I'll do my best." Ranma responds. "Now Ranma, I know Miko is too old to be your daughter, so why don't you tell me what is going on?" Ranma frowns and thinks to himself for a moment then sighs and looks Dr. Tofu in the eye and says, "Only is you swear not to tell anyone else about any of this." Tofu nods his head, "I swear never to reveal any of your secret to another living soul." "Well Doc, it began like this..." ---------------------- (Don't you just hate me?) Miko has gotten her ball out of one of the bags of assorted purchases, a bright blue ball, just slightly bigger than her head, and true to almost any child she is throwing the ball into the air and is trying to catch it. Unfortunately, she is not very good at it. She continually missies the ball on its return journey. But now matter how bad she is at it she is still enjoying herself and is happily laughing to herself when she misses the ball completely. The ball passes between her hands, bounces off her head, and rolls into a corner. Miko turns and begins to walk towards the ball when someone drops down from the ceiling. The figure is wearing all brown, and wears a partial mask over his face. His isn't very tall, and has a disturbed expression on his face. Miko is scared, but convinced that if this person is bad her daddy will save her. Miko picks up her ball and decides to try to be friends, "Do you want to play?" She asks the figure, holding the ball out as an offering. "Sorry, but I am afraid that I do not have the time" the figure says, his voice is friendly enough, but Miko doesn't relax any, "My name is Sasuke and I have a message I want you to give your father." Miko relaxes a little, but is still nervous, though for different reasons, , "What is it?" Sasuke sighs slightly and looks Miko in the eye, and while he can't do it very long Miko does see that he is very serious, "Tell him this. The Kunos' have gone totally insane, both Tatewaki and Kodachi are after your daughter. They have convinced themselves that your child must die for their loved one to be free. They told me to keep an eye on your daughter as they prepare, and well I did what they asked and have found that your daughter is just what she seems to be, just a little girl. But, the Kunos think she is a demon, or very close to it, and are likely to try to kill her again. I think the Kunos have finally gone to far, and I want you to know that I am on your side now. I will try to give warnings to their attacks whenever possible, for as long as I can. Can you remember that?" Miko has had a look that seems that she is far away during Sasuke's message. After it is finished she nods and smiles at Sasuke, "I think I can." "Good, I must go, have fun with your ball." Miko waves to Sasuke with one had and then heads into the examination room where Ranma and Dr. Tofu are. ------------------------ "...And that's what happened." Ranma is finishing as Miko enters the room. "Hmm, well Ranma I do see the problems in that, I am not sure what you are going to do, but if you or Miko need my help just ask." Miko walks in between Tofu and Ranma to get their attention. "Daddy," she explains, "Somebody gave me a message for you." Ranma looks at Miko slightly startled that someone has given her a message, especially one for him, "Who was it?" He asks. "A little person named Sasuke," Miko replies, "He had a message for you." "What was it," Dr. Tofu asks. Miko then proceeded to repeat Sasuke's message for Ranma and Tofu. She told the message in a voice that was as close to Sasuke's as her vocal cords can manage, she also repeated the message word for word. She started to look a little scared as she reached the end of the message, as if realizing for the first time what the message actually said. When she had finished both Dr. Tofu and Ranma look worried, Ranma also looked a little mad. "I can't believe it," Ranma muttered to himself, he begins to pace around the room as he thinks out-loud, "Both Kodachi and Kuno are after Miko. I thought Kodachi would be happy that the 'pig-tailed girl' would be no longer available to chase me. What are those idiots thinking, and more importantly, have they told anyone about Miko?" Ranma then looks towards Miko, he sees her scared faced and reassures her that no one will hurt her, a sentiment that Dr. Tofu echoes. "I better call the Dojo and tell them that we'll be home for diner," Ranma says out loud, "Doc, can I use your phone?" "Sure Ranma." ----------------------- Kasumi is preparing diner when the phone rings. "Hello," Kasumi begins, "Oh, hello Ranma, you're at Tofu's? Ok, you'll also be home in time for dinner? Alright, everything should be ready here by the time you get back." Kasumi hangs up the phone and returns to her preparations when the rest of her family, along with the Saotomes, arrive all at once. After warmly greeting them Kasumi returns to the dinner, expanding its size to the increased amount of people, Kasumi's face becomes instantly troubled when she realizes that Ranma is going to be walking in completely unprepared. She quickly calls Dr. Tofu's clinic, but Ranma and Miko have already left and all she gets is Dr. Tofu (who for some reason doesn't lose it when she calls). Kasumi hangs up the phone and leans against the table it is on for a minute. Then she does something she hasn't done in years, she opens her mouth and says, "Shit!" After cursing for about three seconds Kasumi thinks to herself, Kasumi hurries off and begins the preparations for Ranma's arrival, not realizing that Ranma is carrying Miko, and is coming to the Dojo at his usual speed... ----------------------- Ranma arrives at the Dojo with a now laughing Miko, she enjoyed the piggyback ride he gave her very much. Knowing only Kasumi was home, and that she was expecting him Ranma didn't yell his usual greeting to the house. He drops off the packages containing the purchases at the front entrance and heads towards the main room. The door to the main room is closed, but before he can open it Miko pulls on his pants leg. "What is it Miko?" Ranma asks the girl, not bothering to keep his voice down. "Thank you," Miko replies, "I had a great day...daddy." Unfortunately for both Ranma and Miko, Miko didn't bother to keep her voice down either, and everything she had said had clearly carried over to the other side of the sliding door... And with a bang the sliding door flies open revealing the shocked faces of the Tendo and Saotome clans... And at once all of them (saved Kasumi, who put her head in her hands) scream out if as one voice, "WHAT!!!!!" --------------------- End part three (Ha, did it again, didn't I?) --------------------- Authors notes: Thanks to all the fanfiction authors I have read, if it weren't for you I would have the guts to post this. Thank you to my pre-readers, who have pointed out many of my mistakes. And of course thanks to Rumiko Takahshi, without which I wouldn't have this wonderful series to write about. C&C and even MSTs are welcomed. Please send to trscrogg@unity.ncsu.edu (note: case is important here) Thanks Thomas Scroggs First fic alert. This isn't the first thing I have written. But it is the first on I have even considered posting to the FFML. If you have read any kind of fan fiction before then you have seen the disclaimers that all (well almost all) fics have. I own none of the characters in this work. I have no real right to use them. No profit is being made >from this work. If I do, for some unexplainable reason, make profit out of this; all you have to do is ask and I will turn it over to the people that deserve it. But who would pay for this? C&C is welcomed and encouraged. I use flames to light my grill. Thanks to my pre-readers, who helped improve this work greatly. Special thanks to Toby Kilbreath; who has given me many ideas for the details of this work. As a final note Kasumi might be a little OOC, at least >from the cannon. I prescribe (at least in this fic) to the idea that Kasumi isn't nearly as oblivious as she seems. This occurs after the 36 volume of the manga, meaning that Nodoka knows of Ranma's curse, but the Saffron incident has not (and will not). It should also be noted that I really don't know much about Nodoka's character. Here it is. Version 0.41 ------------------------- Thoughts <> Authors notes and details () Stressed words -- Sound FX ** Ranma in girl form -chan ------------------------- What has happened already: Late the day before Ranma received a mysterious visitor... The visitor left him behind a small child, with a birth certificate proclaiming her as Saotome Miko... Kasumi is surprised with the relative easy that Ranma accepts Miko with, she wonders if Ranma is hiding something from her... Ranma takes Miko to the mall and accidentally runs into Kuno, Kuno claims that Miko is a demon and attacks Ranma... After visiting Tofu, Ranma and Miko return to the Dojo... Unfortunately, the rest of the Tendo and Saotome clans are home... ------------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Part 4: Conflicting Interests ------------------------- And at once all of them (saved Kasumi, who put her head in her hands) scream out if as one voice, "WHAT!" Ranma takes one look at his shocked family and immediately realizes that this could get ugly, "Miko, why don't you go upstairs and get ready for dinner? I'll be up shortly, wait in my room." "Ok," Miko smiles and skips up the stairs. Ranma watches as Miko hops. As soon as she was out of sight, Ranma turns to his family and studies their faces to try to guess what they are thinking. "RANMA!" Soun yells, "What does this mean?" Nabiki smirks, "What does it sound like daddy?" Soun pauses for a moment, and then burst into tears, "Ranma, why did you cheat on my daughter?" Soun wails. "Ranma," Akane all but growls, "This had better be good." Nabiki faces is sporting her predator grin, "This is going to cost you Saotome." Ranma grimaces, but still manages to sound angry when he responds, "You already have all my money. I don't have anything but my clothes now." "Don't worry Ranma, I'll loan you the money. I'll even give you a break on the interest this time. Now how does this sound..." "Son," Genma breaks in, before Nabiki has finished her deal, "I'm sure this is really just some mistake. Just tell us she isn't your daughter, and then we can find her parents." Nodoka continues her silence. Ranma pauses for a moment, thinking to himself. Suddenly, Ranma picks up a very nasty grin; Genma takes one look at his son's face and immediately starts looking for a source of water. "Why pops. You make it sound like you are trying to cover something up." All the Tendos, save Kasumi, turn to look at Genma, who is now panicking, "Covering up? I'm doing nothing of the sort. Don't try to pin this on me boy." Nodoka glares at Genma then turns to her son, but she remains silent. Soun also glares at Genma for a moment, but in a rare burst of insight turns to face Ranma once again. In a tone that is more a demand than a request he said, "Son, you didn't answer the question." Ranma shudders, but says nothing. Nodoka sees the grimace and without a word, she gets up and leaves the Dojo. Ranma tries to stop her. But she quietly tells him that she has some thinking to do. Ranma doesn't understand but nods his acceptance. "I'm going to help Miko prepare for dinner," Ranma begins as he reenters the main room. "That's ok Ranma," Kasumi replies, "Dinner is going to be delayed anyway." Ranma nodded his acknowledgment and heads upstairs. ------------------------- As soon as Ranma disappears from sight the remaining Saotome and Tendos turn to Kasumi and all begin to speak at once. "Daughter, what's going one here?" "You know something, spill it sis." "What has that baka done this time?" "What's my son up to, Kasumi." Kasumi puts on a worried little frown and replies, "I'm not really sure, last night she just appeared. Just shortly after that man in the dark coat brought something for Ranma," She shrugs somewhat and her normal smile reappears on her face, "But I am sure he will tell us." She thinks to herself. As Nabiki mutters something about naivete under her breath, Akane comes to a decision of her own. Akane's thoughts continue along the same vein when a koi (a fish basically) jumps in the pond outside and makes a large noise. The sound startles Akane out of her thoughts and her mental train jumps to a new track. <*Sight* So that's why that baka been stringing us along. Ranma has to marry that girl's mother; he can't marry anyone else. I am NOT going to forgive him for that. *Humph* At least he won't be marring any of those other girls either. > This final though does little to cheer Akane up, but she does get a brief laugh thinking about the looks on the other fiancees faces when they find out. "I'm going to go practice until dinner Kasumi. Get me if that baka decides to tell us the truth." And with his Akane heads upstairs to change into her gi. <*Hum* With another freeloader here the budget is going to be pretty thin. I better see if we can cover it or if I have to step up my activities. > Nabiki quickly heads up to her room and is back downstairs with her ledgers before anyone knew she had left. As she sits down to the table again she notices the packages that Ranma had left out in the entry room. Her curiosity getting the better of her Nabiki investigates the contents of the bags. she thinks to herself after investigating the contents of the bags, Nabiki quickly returns to her ledgers and checks her figures in a frenzy of activity. The answer she gets surprises her a little and she double, then triple, checks her results. After confirming what her results tell her she slowly puts the ledger down, more than a little angry. Nabiki picks up her ledger again and quickly rechecks her figures, Nabiki decides then and there that she is going to confront Ranma and get the truth out of him...Even if she had to beat it out of him. ------------------------- Sasuke was worried. The Kuno mansion was much quieter then he left it, way too quiet. When he left the Kuno siblings where tearing the mansion apart ranting and raving all over the place. Now they where both locked in Kuno's, and speaking with a volume too low to be heard through the door. Sasuke carefully hid himself near the door waiting for the Kuno's to leave the room. An hour latter he had come to several, less-than-pleasant conclusions. The Kunos siblings had been in Tatewaki's room far too long. Sasuke had thought Kuno and Kodachi would have already burst out of that room and demanded that he either find Ranma's child or to demand to be taken to the Tendos' residence. However, that wasn't the case. Not only had the Kuno children been in Kuno's room far too long, but they where far too quiet. Sasuke worries on these and other things as he tries to use the houses secret passages to spy on the Kunos. Finally arriving at the peephole most like to give the best view into Kuno's room, Sasuke looks through to the sight he realized he should have feared most. "So sister, you believe that the reason we have been having difficulties approaching or loves is this child?" Kuno paces around his room not bothering to look at his sister, "That makes a great deal of sense. Maybe the name my beloved pig-tailed girl goes by is but a warning. Maybe 'Ranma' means something in a language I know not of." Kodachi laughs her (*shudder*) nasty laugh, "Of course brother. It makes so much sense. Neither if our loves have proclaimed their loves to us. It is obvious that something is keeping them from us. We must do something about this threat to our love." "Yes we must, but if this -thing- is indeed a demon it will be hard to destroy." Another laugh from the youngest Kuno sibling causes Sasuke to shudder, "Foolish brother. It should be obvious that if the demon has take human form it will have human weakness. I am going to use one of my poisons on it. Like the creature that it is it must either change back to its true form, or die from my poison." Kuno seems to see some logic to this statement and nods sagely, "How long will it take to make this poison sister?" "A few days, brother. I would prepare to fight the demon when it reverts to its true form." "Yes I Kuno Tatewaki of Furinkan High will be ready when the time comes to slay this demon and free our loves. Till then I will have loyal Sasuke follow the demon's movements and inform us of its location when it is time to strike." Back in his hiding place Sasuke comes to a decision that will forever change his life And with these thoughts Sasuke slips away, leaving the Kunos' plans for ones of his own. ------------------------- End Chapter 4 Finally, I'm done with this chapter. I have had a few questions about Miko relationship to Ranma, and to this I say "better luck next time" It wouldn't worry too much. I'm dropping some major hints next chapter, which will be coming out -eventually-. Some has asked me what Ranma's age is at the start of this story. Well Ranma is presently 17 years of age and he has been in Nerima for almost a whole year now. Thomas Scroggs "Oops" -The most dangerous word in all of anime, followed shortly by "Trust me..." First fic alert. I didn't create these characters or their setting. I amusing them without permission and realize that I could get in serious trouble for this. I also realize that I am making no profit on this work, and not really capable of being a good lawsuit victim. C&C welcomed and encouraged. Flames used for experiments in spontaneous combustion. Thanks to my pre-readers, who helped improve this work greatly. Special thanks to Toby Kilbreath; who has given me many ideas for this work. This occurs after the 36 volume of the manga, meaning that Nodoka knows of Ranma's curse, but the Saffron incident has not occurred. It should also be noted that I really don't know much about Nodoka's character. Since the only character her that is mine is Miko I would greatly appreciate it if you asked me before using her in another work, thanks. Here it is. Version 1.05 Date Started: 6/16/98 Last revised: 9/19/98 ------------------------- Thoughts <> Authors notes and details () Stressed words -- Sound FX and some actions** Ranma in girl form -chan ------------------------- What has happened already: Late the day before Ranma received a mysterious visitor... The visitor left him behind a small child, with a birth certificate proclaiming her as Saotome Miko... Ranma takes Miko to the mall and accidentally runs into Kuno, Kuno claims that Miko is a demon and attacks Ranma... After visiting Tofu, Ranma and Miko return to the Dojo... Unfortunately, the rest of the Tendo and Saotome clans are home, and they did not react well to this... And the Kuno's believe that Miko is a demon keeping them from their loves, and plan on doing something about it... ------------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Chapter 5: Impact ------------------------- Ranma thinks to himself, This was just one thought of many as Ranma climbs the stairs and walks down the hallway to his room. But just before he reaches the door he hears it close and catches the sound of quiet crying. "I just had to ask." Ranma moans to himself. He quickly steps into the room, not noticing the eldest Tendo sister climb up the stairs. ------------------------- Ranma entered his room with some apprehension. Actually, though he'd never admit it (even to himself), he's scared. Scared that Miko will ask one of the questions he fears questions he can't really answer. Not that the sight of Miko is any better. Miko is as he thought crying; or to be more specific crying into the pillow of the futon, which she is laying on top of. Ranma decides to start with the most obvious question, "You heard us talking didn't you?" Miko nods into the pillow, but doesn't look up. *Sigh* "You weren't supposed to hear that. And I...apologize for not making sure you where somewhere else before they started yelling." Miko looks up at Ranma and with tears in her eyes asks the question he fears most, "Are you really my daddy?" ------------------------- One of Kasumi's lesser known abilities is superior hearing. Kasumi can hear almost everything going on around her with clarity that few others have. So when Kasumi hears the door to Ranma's room closing softly it only came surprise that it would be closing with Ranma still in the hallway, not that she could hear it. Still Kasumi is definitely shocked when she hears a faint sound coming from the room... Kasumi arrives at the door about the same time that Akane leaves her room, dressed in her usual workout gi. Seeing Kasumi pause outside the door to Ranma's room she decides to get closer to find out what she was doing. The two are joined by the middle Tendo sister just in time to hear Miko's voice asking the question they all wanted to know... "Are you really my daddy?" ------------------------- "That's what we...um...ugh..." Akane's exclamation is cut short, when Kasumi places her hand over Akane's mouth and makes a shushing motion with her other hand. Nabiki thinks, ignoring the movements of her sisters, Kasumi thinks privately, Akane just stands there in shock. All three girls bend closer to the door to listen. ------------------------- Ranma opens his mouth to answer when a loud voice begins to rant outside. "Damn, that's got to be Kuno," Ranma looks quickly down to Miko, "Stay here, I'm going to get rid of him before he causes any trouble. If anyone but me tries to open the door hide, got it?" Miko nods once. Ranma turns and leaves, but as he does he notices something out of the corner of his left eye. He also notes that all the Tendo sisters are out in the hallway, but puts the thought aside for the moment. ------------------------- Kuno is still ranting when Ranma arrives downstairs. Both Mister Tendo and Genma are looking bored and uninterested, they heard it all before. "What are you doing here Kuno," Ranma asks in a insulting drawl. "I've come to rescue your prisoners from your evil bounds, foul sorcerer. I will claim my loves and rescue that child from your wicked clutches." "And what would do with a child Kuno. It ain't as if I really need the responsibility of a kid." "It should be obvious to anyone that you have bespelled my pig-tailed goddess into thinking that she is that child's mother." "So." "I heard that child call you daddy. It is obvious that by using your foul sorcery you have used the holy bounds of motherhood to try to further your hold on the pig-tailed girl." Both the fathers and Ranma give Kuno a look of pure disgust while simultaneously thinking, Ranma advances on Kuno, intent on pounding Kuno into something resembling bean paste. But just as he reaches Kuno an pulls back for the first punch a loud crashing noise is heard upstairs. "What tha..." Ranma begins turning his head towards the stairs. Kuno sees his opponents lapse and with the cry of, "Die fiend," grazes Ranma's right side, much like the way he did in their first major fight. But instead of kicking Kuno in all his vital points like he did the first time Ranma chooses a much simpler path. Namely continuing Kuno's lessons in the basic art of flying, through the means of an applied foot to the chest. Ranma finishes his turn and heads upstairs, unconcerned about where Kuno lands. Though he would have laughed if he did. Kuno was in fact very luck, if he course had ended more than a foot to the left he would have crashed into Shampoo, and probably have knocked her out. Kuno, however, was in no condition to appetite this when one minute latter his battered and beaten body landed in the trash out side the Nekohatten. "...And stay out, stupid stick boy," Was the last thing Kuno heard before he began a short unexpected nap. ------------------------- All Ranma needed was one question, "What happened?" His room is a total mess. There are black petals everywhere, and a large hole where the window use to be. All three Tendo sisters are standing in the room looking around, but Miko is know where to be seen. Nabiki answers, in a quiet tone of voice, "We *gestures at Akane and Kasumi* where going to talk to Miko when Kuno started ranting. Thing is we couldn't find her, I mean she wasn't here when we came in. Then Kodachi breaks in saying something about children and wedding plans. Akane gives Kodachi the boot and then you show up." *Sigh* "Kuno was a distraction, he was going to keep me busy while Kodachi got Miko. But I figured it out before Kuno could get me caught up in a fight. I told Miko to hide when I left so that's why you can't find her. You ok?" This last was delivered to Miko, who is slowly getting up from her prone position. Miko nods and manages a smile. "I was hiding when that silly woman came in. Then she *points at Akane* kicked the bad woman out the window." Akane snorts lightly and looks away. "Thank you Akane," Ranma says politely. However he is sighing inside, "You know Ranma," Nabiki's voice was strangely calm, "I'm willing to bet that whatever your hiding from us is big, very big. So I am going to give you a friendly, and free, piece of advice. Tell us now, before we find out ourselves, things will be much easier on you if you do." "*Sigh* And what makes you think I'm hiding something from you?" Nabiki grins a predator-like grin, "Can't say I didn't warn you Ranma. You can come to any of us when you decide your ready to fess up." The sisters leave, but not before each gives Ranma a different glance. Kasumi's look was filled with pity and a little curiosity; Nabiki would obviously enjoy finding out everything there was about Miko, and rubbing Ranma's face in it; Akane was just plain mad, though something else unidentifiable was also present. Ranma checked the hallway one more time to make sure there are no more listeners then turns back to Miko, "Come one Miko lets get you back to Dr. Tofu's." Ranma then picks-up Miko and carefully settles her on his back, her arms around his neck. "Daddy," Miko hesitantly begins, after they had gotten halfway to Dr. Tofu's , "Remember what I asked before that bad woman came?" Ranma freezes for a moment then nods and begins to walk again. "I don't want to know." This time Ranma does more than freeze, he face-faults (to Miko's secret enjoyment), "Wha'...why not?" Miko squeezes Ranma's neck a little harder, "If I don't know I can still pretend you are, even if you're not." Ranma smiles a sad and ironic smile, "Ok, I won't tell." Miko just smiles in response. ------------------------- One examination and lollipop (and a private warning to watch her leg) latter Ranma and child are back at the Tendo's. Ranma is doing a kata in the back near the koi pond and Miko is watching from the porch. Ranma is quietly thinking up battle plans as he goes through his practice, Just as Ranma's feet leave the ground the space he was standing in became filled with umbrella, "Ranma prepare To DIE!" Ranma grins, "Well if it isn't P-Chan! What did I do to you this time?" Ryoga lands next to his umbrella, which he retrieves, and drops his pack, "You cheated on Akane! You've been stringing her along all this time when you already have a kid! DIE!" "Now Ryoga," *dodges a bandana* "How can I have cheated on Akane when I Miko is older the entire time I spent in Nerima?" *Dodges an umbrella strike* "For that matter how could Miko be my kid anyway? I'm not old enough to have a kid her age." "That doesn't matter, because today is the day I finish you off, witness my new technique Bakusai Tenketsu Saikou!" (I could use a full translation and the proper wording please) Ryoga's new technique is an improved version of the original Bakusai Tenketsu, with a much bigger blast radius and a more violent explosion, an explosion that sent large chunks of rock in every direction. Ranma himself is easily able to dodge all the larger pieces of rock will still maneuvering closer to Ryoga. Miko is another story. Luckily for her most of the rocks (and all the larger ones) miss entirely, but in her haste to try to dodge the rock her leg gives and she topples over onto her side. Even worse as she lands a distinct *SNAP* is heard. Ryoga, Ranma, and the Tendos (who arrived before the blast occurs) stand in total shock for about two seconds before anyone even breaths. Then Ranma screams. "MIKO!" Ranma shoves Ryoga aside, gathers the unconscious Miko into his arms and is over the wall before Ryoga has even finished falling over. If he had stayed he would seen Ryoga transcribe a graceful arch...right into the koi pond... ------------------------- Ranma makes a dim note of the giant column of blue chi that erupts in the general direction of the Dojo, but pushes it to the back of his mind, for he had just arrived at the clinic. Dr. Tofu ushers Ranma out of the check-up room, or rather tries to. Ranma doesn't seem to be very co-operative mumbling something about 'all my fault'. In the end Dr. Tofu hits Ranma's sleep spot, dropping the martial artist like Kuno after glomping Akane. the doctor thinks to himself, *Sigh* Tofu ponders on these and other thoughts as the sun goes down and another day ends. ------------------------- A young lady stops and looks down at a letter she has just finished composing. Her room is clean and well organized. Bookshelves are all over and they are all full. "It'll be good to see Ranma again," the lady mutters to herself, "It's been so long..." With a quick flourish the letter is complete and in its envelope. The lady smiles to herself and begins to prepare for bed. Just before she falls asleep she has one last thought, ------------------------- End Part 5 ------------------------- (If I got any special technique names wrong please send me the proper words. Thanks.) Finally its finished! Remember C&C is always welcome. After all if you don't tell me what's wrong then I can'tget better. The lady? You'll find out in a few chapters. I'll do my best to get the next part out soon, but don't get your hopes up too high. Thomas Scroggs Cartoon Survival Rule #4: You can hide anywhere. Behind trees, boulders, anything. Just remember, unless your hiding place is destroyed, don't change them. If you do you'll end up hiding behind the same whatever your enemy is. First fic alert. I didn't create these characters or their setting. I am using them without permission and realize that I could get in serious trouble for this. I also realize that I am making no profit on this work, and not really capable of being a good suee. C&C welcomed and encouraged. Flames...well I don't know what I'll do to flames, but I'll think of something. Thanks to my pre-readers, who helped improve this work greatly. This occurs after the 36 volume of the manga, meaning that Nodoka knows of Ranma's curse, but the Saffron incident has not occurred. It should also be noted that I really don't know much about Nodoka's character. Here it is. Version 0.03 Date Started: 9/01/98 Last revised: 3/22/98 ------------------------- Thoughts <> Authors notes and details () Ranma in girl form -chan ------------------------ ------------------------- Ranma 1/2: Childhood Mysteries Chapter 6: In the Begining... ------------------------- Morning, time for a new day, time for new beginings. In the case of one Saotome Miko those beginings start in the bed in Dr. Tofu's clinic. But Miko's new beginnings started long before she woke. In fact Miko's new begining on this day has been in the making for the last ten years. For while Saotome Ranma, her legal father and gaurdian, has acepeted her into his life, his only family has not... ------------------------- The first thing Miko experienced apon awaking was simple, pain. Her leg hurt more than it usually did. Not really that much worse, but it was noticable. One of the few costants in Miko's life has always been a slight acke from her leg. In a strange way that pain was important to her, it was the only thing in her life that Miko always had. Miko opened her eyes and saw a fimilar ceiling, Miko struggled for a moment trying to remeber the new word for a few seconds, but then gave it up as a loss. Miko felt a warm feeling pass over her as she relized how she had gotten to the clininc, Now Miko wasn't completely ignorant, she did know that Ranma wasn't her real father. All the other fathers Miko had ever seen had been old, much older than Ranma, but she didn't care. To Miko's mind, a parent was someone that looked after you, protected you, and tried to cheer you up when you where sad. Between being told that Ranma would take care of her, and Ranma's actions since she arrived, Miko had come to the simple conclusion that Ranma was her father. Finally reasured that she knew where she was and how she had gotten there, Miko decided to look fo her father. She carefully got down from the low examination table and moved over to the door. ------------------------- Dr. Tofu and Ranma where in deep conversation out in the loby of Dr. Tofu's clinic, when Miko began to listen into their conversation. "Just how much first aid do you know Ranma," Dr. Tofu was asking Ranma. "I'm alright," Ranma relied, "I've got enough skill to take care of minor things. I wouldn't want to do anything really important if I had another option though." Dr. Tofu nodded to himself, "Ok Ranma I guess I can trust you with this. You're going to have to really carefull from now on. " Ranma nodded. "I serious Ranma, these incidents have got to stop. One more, just one more incident and I going to have to take Miko from you. Do you hear me Ranma?" Ranma all but shouted his afmerative. It was at that moment that Miko appeared from out of the examination room she had been in. She showed no knowledge of what she had just heard, but silently hoped that she could stay with Ranma. Dr. Tofu spent the next serveral minutes fussing over his patient. He give her several warnings, the most important of which was that she had to stay out of the water, and to always use her cane. (Dr. Tofu had considered a leg brace for the child, but decided that it wouldn't last very long in this district of Tokyo.) "Why don't you go ahead Ranma?" Dr. Tofu recomended, "I'm sure you need some time to have a private conversation."