Title: A Legend reborn
Author name: Trugeta

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by Rumiko Takahashi and VIZ as well as Akira Toriyama and many others. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Note further that I don't own any of the trademarks mentioned in this story. In fact, I don’t own anything. So suing is senseless.

First off a big round of thanks to my prereaders Rose Vaughn and HeWhoWalksTheEarth for doing a grand job on betaing this. If you, my readers, find any errors we missed please point them out and I’ll fix them. Also check out my other Ranma story.

This story takes place after Movie 10 of Dragonball Z and at the beginning of the Ranma series. It's an AU, and reviews are welcome and appreciated.

Chapter 4: Welcome to Nerima!

The travel back from the Chinese mainland back to Japan had been quite eventless. Ranma and Genma had not been able to use the same means of travel they had used when they had first arrived in China, for back then they had swum the distance.

When Ranma had suggested this means of travel his father had protested loudly and pointed out that he would not be able to swim the distance because of his 'condition'. After all, as a panda he was weighing a lot more and a panda was not the best swimmer, considering his fur.

Ranma, for his part, had rolled on the floor in laughter and had hammered his fist onto the ground repeatedly, leaving quite deep fist-sized indentions in the ground. For quite a while Ranma had laughed his head off at his fathers predicament, and had Ranma not once more demonstrated how strong he was (leaving deep indentions in concrete was no small feat), he would have reprimanded the insolent boy. After his son had calmed down, Genma had demanded that they board a ship. Ranmas laconic question had been "Got any money on ya, old man?"

Genma had negated, but had argued that they could go onboard any leaving ship with destination Japan by night, unseen. For somehow, to Genmas wonderment, his son had learned and perfected the Umi-sen-ken. How the boy had done it Genma did not know, but he had found out that the boy could do it. And that rather painfully.

But Ranma had refused to simply board a ship as blind passengers, and as he couldn't be forced to act against his will and sense of honour any more, Genma had had to relent. However, a brilliant idea on his part had saved him from drowning in the open sea. He had nearly forgotten, but Ranma had disarmed these crazy Amazon women, and those swords and maces surely were of some worth, weren’t they?

After all, those were authentic Amazon weapons, and in top condition. And rather than throwing them aside or destroying them Ranma had stored them in his pack. Who knew if they wouldn't need them? Such weapons came in handy in the wilderness. And the disgruntled look on his fathers' face had only been the more motivation to keep the weapons.

But then and there, when they had been at the harbour of that odd Chinese seaport they had already returned to civilisation, and the usefulness of the weapons had thus ceased to exist. To Genma, who despised weapons of all forms anyway. When Genma had suggested selling them to a local weapons dealer Ranma had nodded. It was actually, for once, a good idea of his father. And to his immense surprise they actually got a fair prize for the weapons. More than enough to ensure the passage.

Genmas talents did not shine through often, but he was a master of negotiation. Which made it all the more illogical that he had sold him so often for so less. Even for two fish, rice and pickles. But Ranma had soon found out that those were no contradictions. His father simply stopped thinking when he got hungry; and as that happened quite a lot Genmas mind was on vacation more often than not.

Lately Ranma had managed to keep them fed quite well, and actually, for once in a long time, Genma had made a lot less problems. Not that the problems he had caused in the past were not more than enough and would come back to haunt Ranma sooner or later. And knowing Ranmas incredible luck that would be rather sooner.

Afterwards they had boarded a ship with destination Tokyo. Genma had been very glad that he had not had to work on the ship for that would have been one of his nightmares: hard physical work on a ship. No, thank you. Watching the crew members had been more than enough. And the boy had actually teased him with it. All to make him angry, Genma was sure. Oh, why had the fates cursed him with such a dishonourable son?

These thoughts were running through Genma Saotomes head, as father and son were travelling along the main road of their destination, the Nerima ward in Tokyo. Even in his own thoughts Genma refrained now from calling his son a girl, for the boy had given him some very convincing demonstrations why he should better stop doing so.

And after the third and very painful demonstration it had finally dawned on him that he could not treat his son like before Jusenkyo. If he were completely honest to himself then he had to admit that the boy had already exceeded his skills and power before Jusenkyo, and he would have been hard pressed to beat him even with his sealed techniques. But after Jusenkyo his boy had turned into a monster power-wise, and also his behaviour and attitude had changed.

From now on it would be very detrimental for his health should he continue in his past behaviour, that point had been driven home. And as his continued good health was as important to him as filling his stomach, threats to it had either to be overcome or pacified. As Genma was now far too weak to overcome the boy he had no other choice but to pacify Ranma and try his best not to insult the boy. But it was so damned hard to break a habit of ten and more years...

Shaking himself out of his musings, Genma Saotome turned towards his son. "Come on, boy! I want to be at the Tendos before sunrise. You can look at the area later!"

Ranma, who was hanging a few steps back, grumbled. It was just like his father to haste through unknown territory without checking for any dangers. He had had this habit even before Jusenkyo and it had been even intensified after Jusenkyo. "What's so darn important ´bout the Tendos? Who're they?" he asked.

His father had been very tight-lipped about their destination throughout the whole travel and had told Ranma only the basics. That they were going to Nerima, where his good old friend Soun Tendo lived. Now that they were nearly there he felt that he could tell the boy. "Son, as I said before, Soun and me go way back. We trained under the same master," Genma shuddered as he said that and looked fearfully around, as if expecting that someone would pop out of thin air, "and survived many adventures together." Then he got into telling the tale. "And before you were even born, boy, Soun and I formed an agreement that..."

That was as far as he got, for Genma found himself suddenly dangling from an inhumanly strong grip. "If ya even mention the word marriage´ I'm outta here!" he growled.

Despite the fact that Genma was sweating bullets he was determined to stand his ground. This was much too important, as it pertained his retirement, err, the joining of the schools. "Boy, this is a matter of family honour, and you will do exactly as I say! This agreement was made before you were born, and it is your duty of honour that you have to join the schools!"

The grip on his throat lessened a bit, and Genma breathed an internal sigh of relief. It was too easy to get one over on the boy by using the Saotome family honour. Genma had never understood, why honour was so damn important to to his son. That was not how he, who only paid lip-service to honour, had raised his son. And Genma wondered until the present day how the boy had acquired such a strong sense of honour with him as a role-model.

He himself used honour only as long as it did not get in his way, and going back on his word of honour came as naturally to Genma as breathing. But this particular agreement was too important. For him. This one had to be fulfilled, or his retirement went bai-bai.

Needless to say, his son didn't need to know that particular detail. The only thing he had to know was, that this agreement pertained their family honour and had to be fulfilled. And his son was the epitome of an honourable man. Why the heck, he would never know. But it was an excellent weakness that he could use to get his son into doing what he wanted.

In the meantime said son glared at him while the boy still held him several feet of the ground. The muscles of his outstretched right arm were not even trembling from lifting his considerable weight. Genma had come to know exactly how powerful his son had gotten, and he knew that lifting him with one hand was something Ranma could uphold for infinity. The last six weeks they had spent travelling before they had shipped back home had been one hell of a learning experience for Genma in the regard just how powerful his son had become.

Flashback

Despite the fact that the crazy Amazons had still been hunting them the two Saotomes had not let up any regarding training. As far as they had known they had been miles ahead of the pursuing Amazons, and they had agreed that they wouldn't let the fun of their morning sparring matches be destroyed by some upstart crazy chicks.

It had been the first day after they had been sure that they had finally lost the Amazons, and Genma had wanted to know what Ranma could do. "Come on boy, show me that you hit harder than a weak, little girl!" he had said.

His son had growled, and with this the fight had been joined. And as much as Genma had tried, he had not been able to get through the boys' defences. Regardless of what he had done, the boy had had a counter for it. The Saotome patriarch had noticed that his son had not attacked at all; the boy had been fighting purely defensive, and his style had looked more fluid and powerful than ever. And that despite the considerable muscle-mass which he had gained through the transformation. Astounding!

Then Genma had taken it up a notch and he had actually used the Umi-sen-ken for the first time in a sparring match with his son. He wanted to know how fast the boy had really gotten. Inside the null-ki-field Genma had stealthily made his way towards his son. Genma had known that the senses of his son had gotten much better, and he had been glad that the hidden thief technique had made him as good as invisible.

And without making a sound Genma had approached his son, and when he had been in position he had dropped the Umi-sen-ken and had fired a sudden blow at the back of the head of his son. What had happened next had been too fast for Genma to follow.

Ranma had virtually exploded into motion and before Genma had known, his hand had been intercepted and he had been thrown over the shoulder of his son by utilising his own forward motion. He had landed heavily on the ground while Ranma had stood there with a smirk. "I hope that ain´t all ya got, old man!" he had exclaimed.

Genma had scoffed. "If you were not so weak I would go all out, boy! Why have the gods punished me with such a dishonourable son who is as weak as a girl... URK!"

That had been as far as he had come. Then he had made acquaintance with the steel grip of his son around his neck. Again. His sons' eyes had flashed dangerously. "Listen up, old man, if I fought ya with all I got I would crush ya like nuthin. So doncha tell me that I'm weak if I coulda knocked ya out with one blow!" he had exclaimed, obviously pissed.

Despite the fact that he had been in the weaker position Genma had snorted. Following his own credo as to never show emotions in a fight, and everything was a fight in Genma's opinion, the Saotome patriarch had not shown that he had actually been... unsettled by Ranma's casually displayed strength. The incident with the tree-trunk had been a pointer just how much stronger his son had gotten, but that he was able to lift his weight with just one hand without even trying was... unsettling.

However, he would never show this to his son. Showing emotions, regardless of their nature, was weak. "Then act upon your words, boy." he had taunted. "Knock me out with one blow if you can!"

Ranma had smirked and thrown him several feet back. "Ya asked fer it!" he had exclaimed and had switched into his ready stance.

Genma remembered how he had gotten to his feet. He had been determined to show his son who the better fighter was. He had been sure it was him because of his much greater experience and trickiness. Boy had he been wrong.

Anyway, he had even resorted to his vacuum blades as he had known that the boy would survive them. Heck, the boy had survived a damn tornado, for Kami-samas sake. Ranma had been surprised at first, but then his face had shown something that had looked suspiciously like glee.

At first he had evaded the vacuum blades as if it was nothing and he had actually looked at them with a look of curiosity. But then he had suddenly blurred from vision. At least his vision. The next thing Genma had felt had been a sharp pain in the jaw, and then his world had gone black. He remembered that his last coherent thought had been 'But mommy, it isn't time for bed just now.'

When he had come to, his son had been looming over him, with a smirk plastered on his face. "And that, old man," he had said, "was barely half o' what I got."

End Flashback

Ever since then Genma had never admonished his son to fight full out again, for honestly, he was not sure if he would survive it. And despite all his deeds Genma clung to his life, and he had no need for an untimely death. Thank you very much.

Gathering his bearings and switching to the present, an uncomfortable present at that, Genma concentrated on the present situation and on what had led to him dangling from the iron grip of his son once again. Oh yeah, the Saotome-Tendo-agreement. And his son was still glaring at him. Obviously he waited for more of an explanation. "Boy, now set your father down and let me explain why this is so important… oof!" he exclaimed, while he was rubbing his sore backside from his position on the hard ground. No, streets were not comfortable at all.

Ranma, who had dumped his father rather unceremoniously on the ground, crossed his arms above his chest and tapped his right foot. "I give ya the chance ta explain. If the explanation ain't ta me likin' ya know what awaits ya."

Genma had the good sense to gulp, before he lifted himself into a standing position. Assuming an imposing stance, or so Genma thought, he looked at his son with a determined expression. Never show any weakness, even if your own son could punch your light out without even trying. "Okay, boy, now listen up. Tendo and me trained under the same master, and together we created two branches of the Musabetsu Kakuto. The Saotome Ryu that you know of and that you have learned from me, and the Tendo Ryu. When Soun and me were young we swore that we would unite the schools of the Musabetsu Kakuto should our heirs be of opposite gender. That is why we are here, boy. It is a matter of honour to join the schools, and your duty of honour to marry one of the Tendo girls." he said with the air of finality, crossing his arms over his chest.

The teen grumbled. He did not like it, not one damned bit. On the road he had been free, and there and then he had known nothing of arranged marriages or what they were good for. And at the time when his father had first begun to arrange marriages for him in exchange for something to eat or drink he had been far too young to comprehend it. Now he knew what arranged marriages were, and he hated the concept. Being forced together with a girl you knew nothing about was not Ranma's dream of starting a relationship.

In the last few years on the road Ranma had matured enough to understand what happened between the genders. Whenever his father had not been on his case he had used the time to learn everything and anything he could. That his fathers’ teachings, that the art was all he needed was a bunch of nonsense had been impressively proven wrong in his first encounter with the Gambling King.

The guy had gambled him out of 'house and home', and that only with his cleverness. Ranma had reflected upon this ever since it had happened, and now he was sure that the guy had cheated. But this incident had shown him that there was more to life than just brawn. One had to have brains, and he had hidden his very well from his father. That he had a lot more up his sleeve was up till now completely unknown to Genma.

For example, the way he talked was by far not the level of speech he could talk at. After the Gambling King incident Ranma had been willing to learn everything, and the masters and sensei of the several different temples and shrines they had passed had been more than willing to teach him in secret. His father had never caught on, and probably suspected his son to be dumber than a dead piece of bread.

But after some thinking Ranma had found a way to let his true intelligence come to light, however ever so slowly. He would be able to justify everything with the transformation that had happened to him at Jusenkyo. After all, he had received a completely new, alien body. Which meant that he also had a different brain. And a different brain meant one hell of a lot of chances to express his true intelligence.

Turning back to the present, Ranma's eyes glinted. And one Genma Saotome did not like said glint. Not one bit. "Listen up, pops, and listen good: I don't like that stupid agreement one bit. In fact, I hate it that ya force me into something that I have no say in, and ya can look forward ta our next sparring match. But for the sake of honour, I'm gonna give it a try."

One Genma Saotome released a breath of relief, although the comment about the 'next sparring match' had him worried. But for a moment he had thought that the boy would refuse doing the 'honourable thing' for the first time in his life. It was a relief to see that the boy was still as gullible as before Jusenkyo. "Good, boy. I knew that you would do what honour demands." he said with a solemn expression. Then he noticed something. "Boy, was it my imagination or did you suddenly sound… different?"

Ranma pretended to look puzzled. "Whatever do you mean, pop?"

Not really caring Genma waved it away. Anything that did not pertain him ore his plans for retirement was unimportant. "Never mind, boy. Now let us get to the Tendos so that we can get everything in wraps."

His son nodded, and together the two followed the road. They were just five blocks away from their destination when a sudden downpour occurred, and Ranma fell over laughing at the comical expression on Genma-pandas face. He had kept changing quite often during their travel back and Ranma had been very glad that Jusenkyo had not done that to him. Changing forms at the whim of nature and other sources of cold fluid was not something he wished for himself.

Genma-panda was indignant. # Show some respect for your Elders, boy! # he signed. Flip. # Especially to me! And now stop laughing at your father like a weak… #

Before his sign could make a flip Genma-panda suddenly found himself lifted into the air once more. Ranma's eyes flashed. "This is getting old, pop. I broke ya off of the bad habit ta call me a girl, and ya know what? It would be my pleasure ta break ya off that lousy habit of calling me weak too! Believe me that would be fun. Loads. And if ya think I'm weak then start considerin' who's dangling from whose grip. Got it?"

The panda sweated and nodded his head so vigorously that Ranma thought it might separate from the backlash. Snorting, Ranma dropped the fat panda onto the ground. Grumbling to himself Ranma muttered about stupid pandas with stupid signs and too less intelligence to recognise when they were talking, or rather signing nonsense.

He had hated it before when his father had called him weak, and he had consciously known that his father used the insults to manipulate him, but the reflex had been too deeply ingrained into him. Now, ever since Jusenkyo his emotional make-up had apparently changed. He got angrier a lot more easily and Genma had soon found out that an angry Ranma was not something one wished upon oneself.

Little did Genma know, but Ranma was at present adjusting to being a Saiyan. And Saiyans naturally had a different emotional make-up than humans. It was all part of the package. But Genma had soon found out that insulting the changed Ranma was not a clever idea. And the last, err, sparring matches (although some would have rather called it punishment) had proven that.

Genma-panda noticed that his son was impatiently waiting for him to lead the way. Not that he, Ranma, hated the rain, far from it, but he did not like the feeling of a wet tail. And besides, he was already getting hungry again. His increased appetite had been quite the problem, and Ranma had had to hunt the local wildlife in China more often than not to get full.

But hunting had been no problem thanks to his new body, and roasting his prey over a bonfire had made fun. Though Ranma had made sure that he never hunted and killed more animals than he would eat. He was no squanderer, and he never intended to become one.

The trip back to Japan had be a problem food-wise until Ranma had learned how to catch his own fish. And soon it had come to light that he had an amazing talent for catching fish. In fact, the captain of the ship would have loved to keep him as a crew-member, but Ranma had politely refused.

What Ranma did not know was how lucky he could call himself that the moon had been destroyed long ago by the Z-Fighter Piccolo and had been replaced by an imitation. Else he and the world would have witnessed the first Oozaru transformation of one Ranma Saotome, the newest member of the Saiyan race. And that might have been an incident that could have turned from bad to worse. But as this danger was banned his ignorance didn't cost Ranma.

Meanwhile a disgruntled panda was leading a tall, young man towards a certain dojo in Nerima. Straight into what the young man felt could be the greatest folly of his father as of yet…

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Elsewhere…

Outside a typical Japanese home a man in a brown gi with long black hair and a slim moustache was checking his mail. Seconds later Soun Tendo, owner of the Tendo dojo and master of the Tendo ryu, looked at the postcard in his hand, a pleased expression on his face. He re-read the postcard just to be sure that it was no hallucination, but the words remained. Words, that he had so longed to read.

Returning from China. Bringing Ranma.
Saotome.

"Oh Kami-sama, how I've waited for this day!" he exclaimed. Then he burst into tears, which than rose to the display commonly known as the Tendo Patriarch Waterworks.

Moments later footsteps could be heard as well from the kitchen as from above. Akane and Nabiki Tendo rushed down from their rooms to find their father crying his heart out in a corner. And Kasumi, the oldest Tendo daughter, just emerged from the kitchen where she had pursued some culinary activity. "Father! What is it?" she asked with concern.

Not that it was unusual that their father erupted into a torrent of tears, even a cone of ice-cream that tasted good would do that to Soun. But considering the amount of tears their father was now shedding something special had to have happened. And further considered how excited their father was, something was definitely up.

"Hmm," Nabiki mused, "it could have to do with the postcard he is holding. Maybe it would be a good idea if I'd secure it before it gets unreadable." she said and went to 'secure' the postcard.

Once she had it securely in her hand she skimmed it. Her eyes narrowed and she directed a cold glance at her father. "Dad, who is this Ranma? And why is this 'Saotome' bringing him here?" she asked in a sweet tone, as in as sweet as a punch to the gut at point-blank range.

Instantly the waterworks stopped and the Tendo patriarch sweated. Then he sat down in his chair, and the girls seated themselves, too. Akane and Nabiki shot their father an inquiring glance, while Kasumi sat there with her usual serene expression. Finally their father had gathered his bearings... somewhat. "Aha hah, well, you see… myoldfriendGenmaandImadeanagreementwhenweweremuchyoungerthatifwehadchildrenofoppositegendertheywouldhavetojointheschoolsthroughmarriage." he said very fast, hoping to lose his daughters.

Said vain hope was reduced to naught, as his three daughters were not clever for nothing. Nabiki had recorded what he had said and was playing it back in slow motion. When she was finished Akane glowered, Nabiki shot a cold glare in his direction that made him shiver, and Kasumi exclaimed an 'Oh my!'. Well, so much for losing them.

Akane was about to throw a fit but Nabiki stopped her with a hand. Fact that made her glower even more, but for now she'd let it slide. She wanted to know what her father had planned, and Nabiki was usually very good in getting to know everything she wanted to know of and about a person. "So, dad, you mean to say, that this Genma… Saotome, I believe, and you, our dear father," the last two words were said frosty enough that a penguin would have gotten the goose bumps, "made an agreement before we were born that attested that one of us would have to marry the child of this Genma? To join the schools?"

Soun nodded at this with a proud smile. "Exactly, daughter. It is a matter of family honour and has the utmost importance. The two branches of the Musabetsu Kakuto must be joined!"

Nabiki smacked her forehead. "And what happens if this Ranma is a girl? Have you thought about this? It is not unheard of girls being named Ranma! The agreement only said that the schools would be joined if the two branches had offspring of different gender! But where does it say in this postcard that this Ranma is male? And what do you know about this… Saotome? What do you know about Ranma? Is he, if this Ranma is a he, rich? Is he poor? What about his education? Is he cute? Spill the beans, dad!"

The youngest Tendo daughter nodded in assent. "If he's a boy, then he's a pervert! All boys are perverts, and they only want to do perverted things with girls! I hate boys!"

Kasumi voiced her own thoughts. "Oh my, I hope he is not so young. Young men are so... boring. But father, you could have at least told us that we have a fiancé."

Soun was sweating. "All I know of Ranma is that he, yes, I know that Ranma is a he, for I have been there when he was born, has been training in the Saotome Ryu for over ten years. Ranma and his father Genma, my old friend and training companion, have been on a ten-year training trip. I don't know if Ranma and Genma are rich or poor, and I don't care, if only the schools are joined! Their last stop was China, and now Saotome is finally coming back and bringing Ranma! Oh happy day!"

Akane had gotten up and was rounding in on her father. Her temper was well known in the house, and presently it was boiling over. "Honestly, dad, how could you! How can you ask of us to marry a perverted boy that we have never met before? What were you thinking when you made this agreement, dad? What about how we feel about this, what we think, and if we want this? I'm sixteen, I don't want to be engaged to some perverted boy! Happy day! Honestly!" she exclaimed with anger.

Soun was cowering before the ire of his youngest. "But... but this is a matter of family honour! And it is not as if all three of you have to marry him. You can decide among yourself. And I'm sure that he is no pervert. In fact, I am sure that Ranma is a fine boy. Having Genma as his father, what could possibly go wrong?"

Akane glowered. "I hate boys!" she exclaimed, "And I'm not going to marry a stupid, perverted boy!"

Nabiki was still thinking the situation through. China meant travelling, and travelling usually meant money. And if this Ranma was a boy as their father claimed, and possibly a good looking and interesting one, she might finally be able to fill a void in her life. Ever since their mother had died it had been her duty´ to bring in the money that was needed to keep the dojo afloat. And she did that through partially questionable methods. To be honest, she was tired of it.

On the outside she never showed anything but her Ice-queen facade, the very image of a cool, detached and emotionless woman. She had suppressed her emotions after their mothers death, but lately she was asking herself if that what she had now, what she was doing now, and most of all how she lived, was all that life had to offer. Her life had been very loveless so far, and the last real date was something Nabiki couldn't even remember any more.

Anyway, in one year she would graduate from Furinkan High and she had already earned enough money through betting and investing money at the stock-market. Her father did not know seeing as he had not an inkling of knowledge regarding finances. Before her, her dear departed mother had kept the books, and she had inherited all of her talent and then some. Too bad that their father was only sitting on his butt and doing naught.

Had he taught classes in the dojo he would have helped her greatly financial-wise, but he was too unstable emotionally to even teach beginners. And the last advanced student the dojo had seen, well, that had been three years ago. But the money she had earned was safely invested to bring her a maximum of profit, and sooner or later it would be enough to finance college for all of them.

And maybe this Ranma Saotome could be her chance to change things, to change her life. She was tired that people did think her nothing else than a money-grubber and extortioner. Friends she had none. She had assistants, sure, but they were business associates, not her friends.

Ever since she had earned enough money to ensure at least the first year of college for Akane, Kasumi and herself, she was planning her retirement. The money she had invested was growing, and there was no need any more to be the highschool racketeer. Luckily she had been able to keep her activities under wraps from the authorities, but that was laughably easy in a school like Furinkan high where everyone, including the teachers, could be blackmailed.

But she would have to wait and see. First Ranma and this Genma had to appear on their doorstep, everything else would come. She would, however, wear her best kimono. That she had already decided upon. After all, a good first impression could work wonders. Nabiki doubted, that Akane would even try to pretty herself up, but despite that, her baby-sister would be her hardest concurrent. She was the heir to the Tendo school of Anything Goes after all. Which made her the logical choice for the engagement. But she'd worry about that when she had to cross this bridge.

Kasumi, for her part was also hanging to her thoughts. "I hope that he's older, so that I can marry him and do what honour demands. This way Akane and Nabiki won't need to. They are too young to be tied down. I only hope that it will be no loveless marriage." she muttered quietly.

The still glowering Akane had overheard this, and her mood changed from angry to caring instantly. She took the hands of her sister in hers. "Onee-chan, don't talk like that. You don't have to sacrifice your choice of husband for us. It would not be right of us to ask that of you." Although it would be nice if this Ranma would pick one of you two. I already have enough perverts to deal with...´ she thought.

Nabiki was suppressing a genuine smile with difficulty. Her older sister was just too nice for this world, offering something like that. But at the same time her calculating mind thought this offer an excellent escape option, should this Ranma prove to be... inadequate. "Akane is right, Kasumi. Let this Ranma arrive first. Decisions can be made then."

Soun, who had been suitably cowed, nodded his assent. "Excellent suggestion, Nabiki. There's no need to get all upset about something that might happen in a few months. Who knows how long it will take Saotome to get here?"

"Hopefully forever." Akane muttered as she walked off towards the Dojo to work off some stress. All this talking about marriages and perverted boys made her fists itch...

------

Soun had just sat down in his favourite armchair again and was enjoying the peace and quiet after the talk. He had his newspaper, a bottle of warm sake and the knowledge, that the schools would soon be joined. What more could a man wish for?

However, he was shaken out of his happy reverie by the sound of someone knocking at the front door. Odd, he was not expecting anyone today. Could it be that… his face twisted into a happy smile as he went to open the door. If it already was who he expected it to be… now that would make this day a happy day indeed.

"Oh my," Kasumi, who came out of the kitchen, exclaimed. "could that be them already, father? And I haven't

even prepared anything yet."

Soun looked at his oldest daughter. "It might be them, though I can't be sure until I've opened the door." he said in jest.

Kasumi smiled at her fathers' changed attitude. Ever since the card had arrived he was in a much better mood, which was a nice change to the constant brooding and self-pity he had displayed before. She had seen how much the joining of the schools meant to her father, and if need be, she would do the honourable thing and accept the engagement to this Ranma. She would do nearly everything for her family, but she only hoped that this Ranma was not much too young for her.

Her father went to the door and opened it. Kasumi, always the polite and well-mannered housewife, waited in the background, but with the front door clearly in her view. When her father opened the door, both Tendos were very surprised at the sight that was presented to them.

A tall man was standing in the doorway, and Kasumi estimated that he was about 6'4'' tall, which was quite unusual. What the man was carrying however was what had surprised them. It seemed to be a… unconscious panda! How weird! Why would anyone carry their panda with them, and over their shoulder to boot? With a second glance Kasumi noticed, how heavy the panda-bear must be, but the stranger did not show any signs of being taxed by the weight at all.

And how well-muscled the stranger was! He had a delicious body, and those blue, piercing eyes of his which were so expressive, combined with this unruly, spiky hair… needless to say, unusual naughty thoughts were running through Kasumis head, and she suppressed them with a blush. The oldest Tendo girl noticed that her father was as astonished at the sight, but in contrast to her he had apparently not regained his wits yet. "Father, don't you want to ask the young man what he wants? I believe it is raining outside, and it would be the polite thing to ask him in."

Soun nodded absently to himself before he visibly gathered his bearings. "Young man, how can I help you? Can I ask you in for a cup of tea, and first of all, may I inquire why you are carrying a panda over your shoulder?"

Said young man smiled sheepishly. "This tub o' lard here told me that we were expected here. I am Ranma Saotome, sorry 'bout this."

to be continued…

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